Rain water in cabin

[srqdiver1261]

Hi I am a new member and first time Newport owner.

I have a 1980 LN23 on the hard but rainwater as accumulated inside the cabin. We have had much rain this summer.

Is there anything specific I should be aware of regarding water damage beside the obvious cushions, mildew, etc.? Any structural issues I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance.
Tom

 

[kloudie1]

Welcome to the forum, Tom !! Lots of good info here in the general downloads tab ..
Rain is typically the most difficult to keep out of the boat because of the many deck penetrations for fasteners (handrails, winches, block mounts, etc) .. The bad news is that water leaking into the boat can (not always) get into the plywood core of the deck and cabin top and sides. Over the years, the wood will rot and the structural stiffness of the affected section will disappear.. It is crucial to stop water leaks .. The "Bed It" butyl sealing stuff sold on this site is the best for sealing deck hardware and a good sealant like Dow 795 for things like ports ... As always, good prep on the sealant places is important... Check out the Marine How To website for forum member Mainesail's excellent info on sailboat stuff.. Marine How To - DIY for Boaters - Marine How To
Again, WELCOME!

 

[srqdiver1261]

Welcome to the forum, Tom !! Lots of good info here in the general downloads tab ..
Rain is typically the most difficult to keep out of the boat because of the many deck penetrations for fasteners (handrails, winches, block mounts, etc) .. The bad news is that water leaking into the boat can (not always) get into the plywood core of the deck and cabin top and sides. Over the years, the wood will rot and the structural stiffness of the affected section will disappear.. It is crucial to stop water leaks .. The "Bed It" butyl sealing stuff sold on this site is the best for sealing deck hardware and a good sealant like Dow 795 for things like ports ... As always, good prep on the sealant places is important... Check out the Marine How To website for forum member Mainesail's excellent info on sailboat stuff.. Marine How To - DIY for Boaters - Marine How To
Again, WELCOME!

Thank you kloudie1 I will check those areas and seal as needed. Also I will check out the Mainsail's website. Thanks!

 

[jssailem]

Welcome Tom to the SBO forum.

Next rain event, I suggest you go inside your boat and start to make a list of the locations you see water intruding. This will help to focus your activities when the sunshine again appears.

 

[Tally Ho]

In addition to the good comments already made, sealing up leaks it’s important To prevent more water intrusion and damage.

I just finished rebedding a mid-ship cleat that had loosened and started leaking, a stanchion base that lifted when I snagged the stanchion on a dock line as I was backing out of the slip (ouch!) and a port light that had failing sealant around it.

I was getting a very dark brown water in the bilge when it rained hard (not sure why it was so dark brown). After sealing these 3 items, bilge was dry today after some hard rain over the past few days.

“Bed it“ butyl tape is the best stuff around for bedding things like stanchions and cleats. For the port light, a caulk like Sika flex or Boat life are good options.

Next good rain, go sit in the boat, run your hand up under the hull/cabin top joint (paying particular attention to anything through-bolted) to check for leaks. Hatches and port lights are also potential leak locations.

Greg