Steering inspection plate leak

[Brad on Vashon]

During the survey, we found a leak that was entering at the aft bulkhead just to lateral of the rudder post and was wetting the aft berth on our 1990 MK II C30. We pulled the steering cable/radius access door. We found that the drain was nearly plugged by crud and debris. The leak came from a hole that the throttle/transmission cable runs through. There is no caulking or wire lock that prevents water from passing. The cables pass at and oblique angle, which does not make installing a wire lock or calking easy or effective.

When I was cleaning the well out and flushing the drain this weekend, I noticed that any water that got to the deck cover seam would just run down and into the hole.

question: has anyone tried to seal that particular deck access to stem the flow into that well? How have you prevented this leak?

 

[Bad Obsession]

Don't seal it. This is so you can access your steering quadrant and cables. You may need to lubricate some stuff in that area once in a while.

You need to keep this drain flowing and this will prevent these problems. I take a plunger every time I am down at the boat and check it. Sometimes it is clogged. Once you clean it out it is usually good for a while.

 

[Brad on Vashon]

Thanks Bad-- I don't want to seal it, like 5200 seal it-- but I've come to the conclusion it's not filling up and over topping-- it's getting in as water comes in through the little gap. Almost like it needs a giant o ring. I called Catalina today... We'll see

 

[Bad Obsession]

A gasket would be a cool idea. That might be the ticket. I have something like a weather strip on mine that seals out water when the screws are tight. You will always get water through the emergency tiller area though.

 

[Brad on Vashon]

Bad-
that's kind of what I was thinking--between that and some caulking, it ought to be good. What kind of strip does yours have? Just some weather stopping, foam stuff from the hardware store?

 

[Bad Obsession]

It looked like the foam that goes between a camper shell and the bed of the truck. Probably not that but it looked similar, just thinner. I still get water in there and I have to clean out that drain from time to time. I have an opening in the back of that area because I have a rudder sensor.

 

[Jimm]

A gasket would be a cool idea. That might be the ticket. I have something like a weather strip on mine that seals out water when the screws are tight. You will always get water through the emergency tiller area though.

I've also tried weather strip around the perimeter. It takes a heavier gauge where it meets the base of the binacle --- doesn't keep it dry. Key is to keep the drain open. I clean and service mine about monthy.....

 

[Bob S]

Brad,

I had to re-core the deck plate (access door) because it delaminated. I also had that problem. I cleaned the area around the cables and pressed a wad of butyl rubber around it. As far as sealing the deck plate I left mine as is and do keep the drain clear. I use an 1/8 piece of delrin rod in the end of a drill that I snake through the transom thru hull up to the steering quadrant as part of my spring launch checklist. Haven't had a problem since. I have the sugar scoop transom that sometimes takes on water with a following sea. It drains pretty fast.

 

[jrowan]

Bob, I see that you sail the Mark III model. It's interesting to note that despite the different decades of production the same problems arise. Other then changing the engine and transom & keel bolts, most of the C 30's evolution is more cosmetic then actual improvements. I guess that newer may be prettier but not necessarily more reliable. (I'm sure I'll here comments otherwise though!)

 

[Brad on Vashon]

After some thought and a long exchange with Kent at Catalina, I've come up with a plan. Well plan may seem grandiose. I found some 5/16 "D" shaped soft weather stripping I will use on the sill where the plate rests to keep water from entering along the length of the sill. Then I'll put some butyl rubber in the hole to keep any water that does get in the quadrant well from easily entering the hole. That should address 99.9999% of the problem

I will try to remember to take some photos in case someone else has the same issue. Thanks team C30 for the advice.

 

[Bob4203]

Unfortunately I have looked at this problem with my 1988 Mark II as a continuous routine maintenance issue. That tiny drain tube from the quadrant area was not engineered well and debris has a tendency of always making draining a problem. I see it as the foot traffic continuously grinding in debris in that area. About three times a season I will use a pressure hose going from the transom drain back into the quadrant area for a good flush for debris removal. It willl then be directed to the scuppers. You'd think Catalina would get it together on this one over all the model changes and years in production with a larger drain!! :naughty:

Bob
Breezin II
Lake Lanier, GA