Strange leak

[Dave]

Last year my boats topside leaked like crazy. The water seemed to collect in the v berth floor, and under the v berth. After reading the archives I assumed the water was comming from the anchor locker. Well I sealed the rub rail and all top side fittings, and hosed down the anchor locker. No leak. The only thing I can think of is water came pouring out around the ground wire as it leads down to the keel last year. I sealed this up. Is it possible the water moved forward to the weap hole in the v berth?

 

[Rob Morton]

We had a leak in the front and found a couple of things. 1)Did you check the bow eye? Ours was loose and let water in some of the time. Sealing this up and that helped. 2)The bow pulpit was not sealed very good and the one on the starboard side has a wire in it going up to the bow light. I pulled the pulpit loose and sealed it all up and made sure there was lots of sealant around the wire. I used 3M4200 for bedding compound. 3)You mentioned water coming around the ground wire is that at the bilge or at the cabin top? I also sealed our mast bracket and actually after that sealed all fittings the next year and have had a dry boat ever since. The one spot I missed was the board at the back of the companion way slide hatch. This board wasn't sealed down and it leaked and let some water in but not in the V berth. There is a liner in the boat and water can move around some and at times takes a little while to get out to the bilge. Hope this helps.Rob MortonS/V Euphoria

 

[Dave19333]

Sealed the ground wire in the floor

Thanks Rob this does help, I sealed around the ground wire on the floor. I have a feeling this is the the liner you are talking about. I did seal all the stantions, and the bow pulpit. I have a feeling a large volume of water was getting in from the rub rail. There were large gaps in the seam with no caulk.

 

[crazy dave]

leaks

There is a cavity under the floor and stringers that water will collect and there is no way to get it out except when it weeps into the bilge. Hoseing down looking for leaks only does the job partially. You still have a topside leak somewhere and sealing the top of the rub rail is not going to do the job. A good way to find that leak is to seal the boat up and put plastic over the companionway with it taped to the boat. Then insert a leaf bloweer and tape around. YOu are trying to create a sealed area or cabin. Let the blower rip and then have someone go topsides with a buchet in hand with soap water and brush. Brush over everything and then you should find your leaks where it bubbles. Keep me posted.