I have a rainwater leak that has found it's way into the aft cabin of my Hunter 280. I haven't been able to find the source but I think it's coming from the deck hardware, or stancions or maybe the chain plates. I've never removed any of these before and I'm wondering if it's a difficult job to rebed them? Would I be better off trying to put caulk around the outside of the hardware and stantions first to see if that stops the leak before I start taking things apart?
Pesky Leak
- Thread starter Tom11739
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Putting caulk around the surface rarely fixes the problem. Also, be careful, since water leaks can be a bit misleading... the water can often travel a long way inside the boat before showing up....so you really need to make sure where it is coming into the boat.
Also - additional information on the age of your boat and how long you had it would be helpful. If the boat is older than say 10 years or so - you may have multiple leaks and if that's the case, you should consider rebedding all deck-fittings. Not difficult but the hardware does need to be removed and sealed with a quality sealant - then reset.
- Rob
- Rob
Where exactly in the aft berth is the evidence of water? Port or Starboard side? There aren't many (stock) items near the rear berth that could leak. The cockpit portlite, the pedestal area, the rear lifeline stantions, winches on the coaming (if you have them) would cover most suspects.
This will be the 6th season I've had it. It's a 1998. The hardware looks like it's held in place with large screws. I'm not sure what's on the other side of the fiberglass that it screws into to give it it's strength. Whatever is there, it doesn't look like there is easy access to it
The leak is coming out on the starboard side in the furthest corner aft. I took the wood paneling off in the back part of the cabin. There is a fiberglass channel that there is water in and some plastic wiring conduit that was wet also. I think the rainwater is coming in from a stantion or mid-cleat or an attachment for the bimini that is on the starboard side and finding it's way down a fiberglass channel or the wiring conduit.
In my opinion, rebedding the stantions and other hardware is typical maintenance...do the job right and remove, clean and rebed. I always find that prep is 80% of the job and once done you will get several years from it with no leaks....That leads to a great all time discussion.....what is the best sealant to use and why?
Good Luck!
Greg
Good Luck!
Greg
Unfortunately, I think that is what you are going to have to do - remove the head liners in that section to inspect for leaks.
If you can seal up your cabin air tight you can use a shop vac to push air into the sealed up cabin and pour soapy water all around the deck and inspect for bubbles forming.
Either way you have to take off and re-bed the hardware.
If you can seal up your cabin air tight you can use a shop vac to push air into the sealed up cabin and pour soapy water all around the deck and inspect for bubbles forming.
Either way you have to take off and re-bed the hardware.
Doesn't this boat have a fixed and opening port in the aft berth? Either one of them are potential points for a leak (don't know what side is leaking).
The pedestal is always a potential point for a leak too.
It is easy enough to R/R the hardware. I personally like Life Caulk to rebed hardware but there are other good products (other than 5200).
Does this model have a metal toe rail? That problem can often be fixed by re-torquing the bolts.
These leaks can be a real SOB to find. Even when you wet the area with a hose, it can sometimes take a day or two for the water to show up.
The pedestal is always a potential point for a leak too.
It is easy enough to R/R the hardware. I personally like Life Caulk to rebed hardware but there are other good products (other than 5200).
Does this model have a metal toe rail? That problem can often be fixed by re-torquing the bolts.
These leaks can be a real SOB to find. Even when you wet the area with a hose, it can sometimes take a day or two for the water to show up.
IMHO, the best way to find leaks is to seal the cabin up as completely as possible and use a shop vac or leaf blower to pressurize the cabin. Then go over the deck with a soapy solution and look for bubbles. 
Why not go ahead and rebed all the areas of concern and nip any future problems in the bud this way.
And check to see if the fastener holes were properly potted, if they go through cored areas of the deck.
The culprit is likely the top of the rubrail.
Remove old caulk and rebed with clear LifeSeal.
Trust me, this I know from H29 experience.
And you don't need to do under the rubrail.
Remove old caulk and rebed with clear LifeSeal.
Trust me, this I know from H29 experience.
And you don't need to do under the rubrail.
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