My boat was always dry inside and after pulling I found my head cover wet what looks to be below the rear starboard side stanchion. I cut away some of the head liner where it was damp, hopefully looking for bolts to reseat the stanchion. But I can't seem to find them??? Has anyone reseated a stanchion on a Hunter 23? I am still not sure this is where the leak is, but the most likely candidate.
Rebedding hunter 23 stanchion
- Thread starter dhaberman
- Start date
If you cannot find any nuts or access inside where the stanchions are, then the bolts are threaded into an aluminum plate inside the fiberglass. See if you can remove the bolts first, clean off old caulk and reseal. some use pure silicon, butyl tape or 4200. Do not use 5200
I don't have the time to search, but (sadly) the more common leak on these guys is all along the rub rail / hull deck joint.
Dave hit it on the nose, most/all of the original deck hardware was installed into embedded aluminum. If the fastener spins freely, that means that the threads are stripped out and you're going to have to pull them out or just pry the stanchion up.
I fixed a stripped stanchion on my 23 using rivet-nuts
Dave hit it on the nose, most/all of the original deck hardware was installed into embedded aluminum. If the fastener spins freely, that means that the threads are stripped out and you're going to have to pull them out or just pry the stanchion up.
I fixed a stripped stanchion on my 23 using rivet-nuts
As usual, CD has it nailed. I had a similar leak that was traced to a loose stanchion. The bolts simply back out of the plate underneath. I removed the old caulk and rebedded with Butyl tape. Problem solved - in about 10 minutes, tops.
Thanks all, I appreciate the information. The leak seemed small, localized and right under a stanchion so that is why I was thinking rebed, but I probably need to expand my search to the rub rail / hull joint.
DH
Here is a good way to look for the leaks but will require a second person, bucket of good real soapy water, brush, plastic, tape and leaf blower. Tape all opening ports, cover the companinonway with one large plastic piece taped down over the top and companionway so air cannot escape. slit the plastic and insert leaf blower and tape around it. Turn leaf blower on and have person brush over everything and where air bubbles out is a source of leak. I was a boat dealer and use to find a lot of leaks that way.. What you have done is pressurize the cabin and air has to escape somewhere and those pesky leaks will have aire escaping thru them
Here is a good way to look for the leaks but will require a second person, bucket of good real soapy water, brush, plastic, tape and leaf blower. Tape all opening ports, cover the companinonway with one large plastic piece taped down over the top and companionway so air cannot escape. slit the plastic and insert leaf blower and tape around it. Turn leaf blower on and have person brush over everything and where air bubbles out is a source of leak. I was a boat dealer and use to find a lot of leaks that way.. What you have done is pressurize the cabin and air has to escape somewhere and those pesky leaks will have aire escaping thru them