Water leak in Aft Cabin, Hunter 386

[Gary Ryan]

Hey guys,
Looking for some advice. On occasion, we have had water collect behind the headboard ( in the trough) on our Hunter 386. It's coming in behind the wall somewhere. I've sealed about anything I can see on the deck. It has happened when its rained really hard or when I've hosed it off. Wondering if it's coming in around the Gunnel. Is the Gunnel suppose to be caulked on top and bottom? I don't see any. Not sure how it could be the windows, but I'm open to ideas. Is it hard to remove the wall so I can maybe trace where the water is coming in? We pull out at the end of September, so there's not much I can do until then. Thanks in advance,

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Two guesses - one or both ports or the toerail. Try the hose test.

 

[duck21]

I had this same issue on my 376. We re-sealed the frame gaps on the aft cabin ports and that took care of the issue. The water was leaking through the port frames down onto the headliner then making its way over to the headboard.

Lewmar Old Standard Openers - known leaks

The following was prepared by Lewmar in 2008 to address known issues with the original Old Standard Opening Portlight. The Old Standard Portlight was in production from 1980 to 1998. Some older units have developed leaks through the frame joints. The water appears on the inside of the portlight...

www.eagleboatwindows.co.uk

I am thinking the 386 may have the "newer" standard ports, but I think there is still a frame gap that could become unsealed. We used a little tool to scrape out the dried out sealant and resealed with black 4000UV.

Otherwise, if you have Bimini hardware that may also be just above that area, you may double check bedding.


Doug

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Easy way to find topside leaks is to pressurize the cabin with a leaf blower locating the air bubbling out with the use of a brush and soapy water of course brushing everything on the outside locating air bubbling out. Old yard trick which is faster than hosing.
First close off all ports.
Tape down the forward hatch
Tape off the entire companionway
Cut a small slit in plastic to insert the tube
Tape down plastic to leaf blower tube
Start up leaf blower
Have second person brushing fittings , etc
Mark where air is bubbling out.

as a former dealer I use to find most or all those pesky leaks

 

[Gary Ryan]

Thank you for the responses. Can you tell me if your toerail has caulking on top/bottom?