Water between the Cockpit floor and ceili of the berth below

[dcwestcott]

Hurricane Sandy lifted my boat off of its jackstands and floated it
across the club parking lot. It appeared to make a gentle landing with minor scrapes and scratches, but now I have discovered that rain the snow water has made its way between the cockpit deck and ceiling of the berth below. It doesn't leak, just sloshes when I step on the cockpit floor.
My question is, "How do it drain it first and then locate the area where the water is coming from? Does it make sense to drill a hole in the ceiling below the cockpit? Or should I let it dry out naturally?

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Water between the Cockpit floor and ceili of the berth be

water has made its way between the cockpit deck and ceiling of the berth below. It doesn't leak, just sloshes when I step on the cockpit floor.

Firstly, my condolences on your misfortune. Can't even imagine how I would feel if the love of my life suffered as your has.

Seeing as I don't have the same boat as you, I can only try to picture it compared to mine.

1. I don't think you'll have too much luck in waiting for the water to evaporate as the enclosed volume probably doesn't see too much air circulation.

2. If it they even exist, try to find the lowest spot (or spots) in the berth ceiling and drill a small hole (1/8") to allow the water to drain out. If need be, you may have to drill more holes in the lowest spots in the berth. Don't worry about the small holes as they can always be covered with fancy polished SS screw heads or the like. They "look" like they have a function. I have several "covers" around my boat from various exploration jobs.

3. The next job, of course, is to find the area of water ingress up top and get it sealed.

4. Once the above is completed, I think your next concern would be mold growth in the enclosed volume above the cabin ceiling. You'll probably be forced to cut a larger hole in an obscure location in the berth ceiling such that you can insert the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. This will suck air through the volume and hopefully dry it out. This may involve several days of 24/7 suction to dry it out. A little ingenuity can be used to patch the larger vacuum cleaner hole with a "functional" cover.

Good luck and please keep us updated as to how it's going. Welcome to the site and feel free to share your boating frustrations with us. It sounds like you've got more than your share.

 

[dcwestcott]

Re: Water between the Cockpit floor and ceili of the berth b

Thanks for your thoughtful response. Your ideas seem to be exactly how I was thinking about it, but I'm conservative when it comes to drilling holes anywhere. I will look into the ss screw heads.

I will let you know how this works out. Thanks again.

David

 

[Patrice]

Re: Water between the Cockpit floor and ceili of the berth b

As metioned to you, drill little holes in the ceiling of the bert.
You may want to tape ziplock bag under the holes, to collect the water that will come out, and you'll be able to see how much will eventally come out.
Since the ceiling can only be seen by the person lying in the bert, you could also just fill the holes with a white silicone and make it nice and flush finish.

 

[Patrice]

Re: Water between the Cockpit floor and ceili of the berth b

Also, be drilling the holes in the ceiling, you'll also be able to see the condition of the wood in the cockpit floor. Wet, dry, rotted.
That will give you an idea of the work that will be required.