Water infiltration from the bumper

[Mity]

Hi, i have water coming in from side bumper. I tried to used silicon however it does not stick to the rubber. Each time it rain I'll get water in. I also tried to remove a small portion of the rubber but putting it back was a challenge.

It is on a Venture 25 1976. Any ideas wi be good!

Thanks for your support.

Michel

 

[MrBill_FLL]

pics?

whats a bumper? did you mean rub rail? and how did you know that's where the water came from?

(vs the stays)

 

[Mity]

I did not put enough details sorry. It is the protective bumper on the side if the boat. I do not know how to call it.
I know it is from there because I used a garden hose and open the water in one spot only. Inside I could see a drift of water coming in.

I do not have access to the screws since they are under the side bumper and I can easily take it off but very hard to put back.

 

[finding41]

You could try some butyl tape under the bumper in that spot. It looks like it is coming in at the joint.
Welcome to the site too.
By the way all MacGregors seem to leak from the top... Just be glad it's not from the bottom...
Check mainsails links for butyl tape and how to use it. It is easy to use and works great!

 

[Mity]

You could try some butyl tape under the bumper in that spot. It looks like it is coming in at the joint. Welcome to the site too. By the way all MacGregors seem to leak from the top... Just be glad it's not from the bottom... Check mainsails links for butyl tape and how to use it. It is easy to use and works great!

Thanks. I used the butyl tape elsewhere and works great. The issue now is removing the protective bumper is easy but putting it back it not. I might not have the right technique. Any ideas on how to put it back easily?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

heat gun and rubber hammer?

 

[Doc_holiday]

You could always scrap the rubber and do like the old days and use a rope as a rub rail. Just put butyl in and pound the rope in.

 

[Mity]

You could always scrap the rubber and do like the old days and use a rope as a rub rail. Just put butyl in and pound the rope in.

This is a good idea. Thanks for the tip! I'll try it in the back and see the look of it.
Thanks

 

[MrBill_FLL]

You could always scrap the rubber and do like the old days and use a rope as a rub rail. Just put butyl in and pound the rope in.

I think those are different types of rub rails.

I've had them on skiff's they have more rubber and designed to contain the rope. not sure you can change that over unless you unbolt the metal railing...

ie:
http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro.../4,3331.html?gclid=CPPZ4frPv74CFavm7Aod2kIABw

 

[Mity]

Thanks for the pink. Yesterday afternoon we had lot if d'Ain and i sent in and again, the towel was completely wet.

What I'll do is to take the rubber out trying not to break it, fix the screws, add the butyl tape, wait for rain again to confirm the fix and, shape the rubber to make it easy to put back.

Will let you know if this worked.

Thanks everyone.

 

[finding41]

If your rub rail is like this the water is probably coming in from behind the aluminium and seeping through the bolt holes.
My solution is to clean the hull and rub rail joint and apply some type of silicone or sealant.

 

[Mity]

Hi everyone, I just want to close on hat I did to fix my issue.

I was able to remove the bumber quite easly and used butyl tape over all the screws' head. I also filled with butyl the join between the 2 rails.

to put back the bumper I had to used a heat gun and a flat screw driver. it work very well and resolved the water infiltration problem!

thanks to all for the feedback!

Mike

 

[Tsatzsue]

I had the same problem. I would get mystery water everytime I sailed. I sealed and rebedded everything. Chain plates, sponge in keel cable tube, bow eye, every deck fitting, Bulkhead bolts etc...still water under the laz. I even replaced the cockpit drain thinking it was that. I finally caulked under the rub rail. There was a complete absence of a seal to the boat. You could feel air blowing in. It was only sealed from the top. Better but still getting water. I then took some black butyl tape from a cooling tower job and sealed the four inch gap between the ends of the rub rail. I saped it to match the rail. Finally got it. Worked like a champ. It only took four years to find!