I've recently purchased a 1994 H26. The boat is on a mooring. Over the past month or so, I've had problems with a "squishy" cabin sole. It appears this developed after a heavy rain storm, and I've never been able to get all of the water from underneath the cabin sole. After some research, I've learned this is not an uncommon complaint/problem. My understanding is that this is often caused by leaks around the campionway hatch/latch during driving rains. How do I get the trapped water from underneath the cabin sole. The teak strips had been destroyed over time and have been ripped out. All I have now is the thin plywood sole. I've read that one way to get the trapped water out is to remove the 3M5200 rubber caulk/gasket around the plywood sole with DeBond Marine Formula and to attempt to pull the the cabin sole plywood out in one piece. This seems like a lot of work and may lead to breaking the sole! Are there other methods? I suppose once the boat is out of water, I could let it dry out, but we live in NW Wisconsin and freezing temps are quickly approaching. I'm afraid the freezing may damage the ballast tank. Any suggestions/ideas? Thanks in advance to a new/novice owner.
Squishy Cabin Sole
- Thread starter redsky
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use a wick
had a similar problem with my 20 gal side water tanks on my 40.5' They leaked and were coverd by the cabin sole. found the low spot and made a wick that brought the water up and over the edge and into the bilge. I used a strip of "sham-wow" Seemed to be a combination of capilary action (when the tank was full and leaking badly) and evaporation (after the tank level was below the leak). I inserted a tooth pick on either side of the wick to keep the sole from pressing down directly on it.
FWIW
had a similar problem with my 20 gal side water tanks on my 40.5' They leaked and were coverd by the cabin sole. found the low spot and made a wick that brought the water up and over the edge and into the bilge. I used a strip of "sham-wow" Seemed to be a combination of capilary action (when the tank was full and leaking badly) and evaporation (after the tank level was below the leak). I inserted a tooth pick on either side of the wick to keep the sole from pressing down directly on it.
FWIW
I'd make a hatch in the cabin sole...
To give you access to the bilge...it's not hard to do. I had 3 hatches installed in my own cabin sole when I restored my last boat. Then use a shop vac or a manual dinghy bailer and a bucket and sponge to remove all the water every time you're on the boat.
I'd also figure out where the water is getting in and fix that! You'll still be glad you installed the hatch, 'cuz you'll still have moisture from condensation etc that has to removed if you don't want to have a non-stop problem with mold and mildew.
To give you access to the bilge...it's not hard to do. I had 3 hatches installed in my own cabin sole when I restored my last boat. Then use a shop vac or a manual dinghy bailer and a bucket and sponge to remove all the water every time you're on the boat.
I'd also figure out where the water is getting in and fix that! You'll still be glad you installed the hatch, 'cuz you'll still have moisture from condensation etc that has to removed if you don't want to have a non-stop problem with mold and mildew.
redsky,
Had same problem with my H260. I'll assume the construction is similar. Get a lower unit oil pump, or something similar. Make sure it has a fairly long hose (if not, you can by a couple of feet of hose). Run the hose underneath the sole by going through the access port on the starboard side of the aft bunk. You should be able to squeeze it over the structural member and the sole. Then pump the water into a bucket.
I was able to take 1 1/2 gals out. I'm still not sure exactly where the leak was coming from (either the forward hatch, or a worn spot in the anchor locker). My boat was on the hard for a year, so I know the issue was rain, too. If you figure it out, please post your solution.
Hope this helps. FYI, I bought a small liquid pump at Harbor Freight, but I don't know yet if the line will fit.
Had same problem with my H260. I'll assume the construction is similar. Get a lower unit oil pump, or something similar. Make sure it has a fairly long hose (if not, you can by a couple of feet of hose). Run the hose underneath the sole by going through the access port on the starboard side of the aft bunk. You should be able to squeeze it over the structural member and the sole. Then pump the water into a bucket.
I was able to take 1 1/2 gals out. I'm still not sure exactly where the leak was coming from (either the forward hatch, or a worn spot in the anchor locker). My boat was on the hard for a year, so I know the issue was rain, too. If you figure it out, please post your solution.
Hope this helps. FYI, I bought a small liquid pump at Harbor Freight, but I don't know yet if the line will fit.
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