Water Intrusion

[JourneyToIthaka]

I have searched this site many times to see if anyone has successfully stopped the water intrusion on an 1986 H23. I have covered my companionway, no water intrusion there. I believe it may come from the lazarette. But how does it end up in the three bilge areas? I have syphoned out 5 gallons every time it rains. This cannot be normal for H23's, or is it? The windows do not leak, the water never enters the top and runs down the walls. It does not show up in any of the seat compartments. Just fills the area under the lazarette with about 2.5 gallons and fills the bilge compartments with 2.5 gallons. Any suggestions? I have been in the boat in rain and cannot see any area taking on water. Of course I don't get into the lazarette and stay for a rain fall.
Also the elevated battery area is always wet. Would it jeopardize the integrity of the boat if I cut out the wood plate and replaced it with a fiberglass plate? And could this area be connected to the water intrusion from someplace?
I also am removing all the carpet on the walls and top. I have seen several suggestions regarding the burning off of the fiberglass. I would like to add, take a heat gun and it will remove the carpet& singe the fiberglass, making for one clean sweep to paint.

 

[Navicula]

ok then......did you try the old water hose trick.......start at he back of the boat and put the hose to it for while.......see if it leaks.....then move forward a bit and repeat...

 

[JourneyToIthaka]

I have not, I need two people. I shall try.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Journey to I thanka ;

Send my an email to davecondon@mindspring.com advise number to call and when. I will call and tell you how to do this. I was the top dealer for that boat but now retired. I am in Virginia

dave condon

 

[jwdickerson]

I have a H37C (1984). It always amazes me how much water she takes on without evident leaks. My thoughts: anywhere there's a hole (with or without screw/bolt/whatever) in the topsides, deck, lazarettes, etc., that's a way for water to percolate through. I also suspect water intrusion during rain down the inside of my mast directly to the bilge. I once made the mistake of running a line, not in use but connected to a block st my mast head, into a lazarette - wonderful conduit for rainwater right down the line. Lastly, fiberglas boats (mine and everyone I know in the Panhandle with one) are excellent water-makers; the hulls sweats, the water runs down into your bilge.

My advice - keep looking for and stopping potential conduits for water intrusion (gives you something to do almost all the time), keep the bilges as dry as you can, and make sure you treat for mold growth.

 

[JourneyToIthaka]

The mast adds a new dimension to this conundrum. I believe my boat is still small enough that the mast is mounted to the top and does not come near the bilge. I'll ask Dave.
I agree that any place is possible but 5 gallons?!! That is a lot of water.

 

[mz4wheeler]

On my 33.5, I had a couple insidious leaks (and subsequent puddles) that appeared to come out of nowhere. Finally, my worker pulled off the rubber rub-rails (for another reason) and discovered about 6 empty screw holes on both sides. It was the ah-ha moment.

Was it from the factory like this? Who knows. No leaks now.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I have a phone number and will call. IF that amount is coming in, I suspect a loose or damaged anchor locker drain hose is the first place to look if we are dealing with the wing keel version. The intial 23 had a swing winglet keel that went over like a cigar in a punch bowel.

 

[kito]

Does a H23 have cockpit drains that connect to a hose or does it just have scuppers? My H30 was driving me crazy too. No signs of wetness on the walls but always had at least a gallon of water in the bilge after a rain. I resealed the cockpit drain fittings and tightened the hose connections and now, no more water.

 

[Ken Cross]

Not a Hunter, but I once had a hole in a cockpit drain hose. When I came to the boat after a week there was about 2 inches of water in the floor. Fortunately I found the leak right away and replaced that piece of junk corrugated vinyl hose with something more substantial.
Ken

 

[JourneyToIthaka]

I replaced the thru-hull from the cockpit as it was leaking. And quite obvious. I have replaced the anchor locker hose as well. Not done as well as I would like so I bought another kind of hose to replace. It fits snug and I never feel or see water. The hose area does not drain anywhere beneath the hose. Just from the anchor locker to the thru-hull. I am pulling off the carpet so I would suspect I will see if there are any gaps between the black rub rail? I think that is a possibility. But my gosh what an enormous job. Not to mention expensive.

 

[mz4wheeler]

For the rub rail, we just pulled off the black rubber, one side at a time, and checked every screw. Don't take off the frame. Unscrew, inject with 5200, re-screw. The black rubber hides the screws (in MY case, open holes!). Should't be a big job.

 

[JourneyToIthaka]

Just so I am absolutely clear, the black rubber rail will pull off and then you replace it with a new one? I'm picturing folding it and squeezing it in the slot? I'll see if there is a you tube.
Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[mz4wheeler]

Just so I am absolutely clear, the black rubber rail will pull off and then you replace it with a new one? I'm picturing folding it and squeezing it in the slot? I'll see if there is a you tube.
Thank you for the suggestion.

I uploaded a cropped image. If you look at my rub-rail, there is a gap shown. That black rubber will pull out all the way to the bow. Don't pull it out past the bow. Lay the rubber on the deck and inspect/re-seal the rub-rail frame and screws which is screwed into the edge of the boat.

To put it back, have a helper stretch it straight out to the proper length. It should then just push back in the frame with you finger or a pair of pliers to gently squeeze it back on the frame. Also, this works better on a warm summer day when the rubber is more soft. You can also help it along with a heat gun.

Then do the other side. Good luck!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Gina;

The rub rail is a two part rail with the base usually screwed in and the black insert that goes into the base. If you are getting that much water into the boat after each rain and it is neither the hoses from the cockpit drain nor the anchor locker drain. It has to be water penetration thru the hull.

You are going to try the trick I told you. For those of you, I use to close off the boat, taping the forward hatch and any opening ports. then I took a big piece of plastic and taped it over completely the companionway to include any hatch, slit it just big enough to insert a leaf blower and then tape that as well.

You will want to turn on the leaf blower thus pressuring the cabin. Air will escape thru and to find it topsides, have a bucket of real soapy water and brush that on. Where you see air bubbles, then there are the leaks.

Keep me posted

 

[Navicula]

I love that idea....
another I have heard of is t use baby powder.....spread the baby powder above the bildge area and you will be able to see the area the water is coming from