Water In My Hunter 260

[Cheryl Babic]

I just bought a 200 Hunter 260 and I'm getting water from somewhere. The previous owner said he had no problem. We just put it in the water and filled the water ballast tank. Later my wife found brownish water under the galley sink maybe a couple buckets. I also found water at the bildge pump. I checked the next morning and there was very was only a cup full at the pump. After sailing and motoring there was water at the pumps and battery compartment, this time it was clear water. the fresh water tank is not leaking and the speed and depth sensors seem dry where heck is the water coming from? Seems like motoring may cause it not sure.
Thanks for any help

 

[sailmaster39]

I just bought a 200 Hunter 260 and I'm getting water from somewhere. The previous owner said he had no problem. We just put it in the water and filled the water ballast tank. Later my wife found brownish water under the galley sink maybe a couple buckets. I also found water at the bildge pump. I checked the next morning and there was very was only a cup full at the pump. After sailing and motoring there was water at the pumps and battery compartment, this time it was clear water. the fresh water tank is not leaking and the speed and depth sensors seem dry where heck is the water coming from? Seems like motoring may cause it not sure.
Thanks for any help

put some dye in the water ballast. Obviously you checked all your thru hulls first.I don't know the 260. Is that outboard or inboard. Hopefully its not the water ballast tank.
Richard

 

[Cheryl Babic]

ok thanks I pulled the plug and it still at the top

 

[BobSail]

If it's like mine, the source was a loose centerboard bracket bolt that can be found under the table where the compression post enters the sole. When underway, the boat would fill with outside water from the centerboard trunk. The brown water on mine resulted from construction debris washing out of crevices. Tightening did the trick. It's about a 1 1/8" hex head bolt. There are some posts and pictures in the archives and project lists for the 260.

 

[flynhi4u]

Sorry to hear about your water issue Cheryl. We too bought "dry" boat. Any chance u were anchored in Moores Creek Saturday night? We saw a 260 in there with us. It was a beautifull night and we saw several meteors.

Sam in IN

 

[Cheryl Babic]

can it be reached from inside and tightened ? Thanks for your help!

 

[Cheryl Babic]

Yes we were our 23.5 was with us our friends were on it and then we had a friend with a power boat as well

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Cheryl Babic;

What you are describing is water coming from the transom, migrating under the rear berth where the pump is located and then sometimes under the galley. The water is coming thru the hull to deck joint particularly when weight is in the back or under motor and sailing. I assume you have two batteries and if so where is the second located. The original battery supplied by Hunter is behind the starboard rear berth bulkhead behind the opening door that is pulled down.

dry out everything and then look behind the battery to see if the water is traced back to the transom. Or you could look under the rear berth via lifting the lid where the bilge pump is. If you see water coming from the transom flowing in the middle down, same issue.

The boat will need to be pulled to repair which you can do. It is from either caulk gone bad where the screws secure the lower rub rail to the boat and/or cracked marine putty that has gone bad. First, take out the insert starting from the fold down steps and then pull the base out via the screws. Then take a couple of photos and post them here or forward them to davecondon@mindspring.com and we will go from there. If it is the marine putty, then it will take a few days of to repair which most of the time spent out of the water will be the drying time of the epoxy itself.

If you review the archives here there is a lot on the subject but if you want to go direct for help here, then send me some photos.

 

[Fred]

Yes. The centreboard bracket bolt can be tightened from inside the cabin. I believe the arrangement is the same as my H26. There is a removable panel at the base of the table (compression post) which will give you access.

 

[flynhi4u]

We saw you. Swing by and say hi if you see us out sometime. We were tied up with friends of ours on a 23.5 as well.

Sam in IN

Yes we were our 23.5 was with us our friends were on it and then we had a friend with a power boat as well

 

[Cheryl Babic]

Dave I was hoping you would chime in. I'm going down this weekend and was going to dry it out. Then I was going to have my son motor while I went below and tried to see where it may be coming in. I did notice a brown water stain directly in the middle from the transom to the pumps where looks like water was standing. it starts about a inch or two from the transom. At this point I'm really hoping to see something! I will email you at that point, I will put it on the trailer if I see it leaking. I will take a day or two off to make repairs once I talk to you. Not sure what insert your talking about at the stairs. Thank You!

 

[Cheryl Babic]

Sure we will watch for you we get down as much as we can. You will enjoy the club as we have I'm sure, Rita is the best and Jerry the commodore is a great guy as well. My 23.5 is on a buoy so if you know anyone looking for a boat let us know. It has been a great boat and outfitted nicely. Look forward to having a beer with you!