We're in the process of redoing much of the interior due to water leaks. Found the water and waste ports were leaking badly. Apparently the rubber gasket doesn't last 34 year. Has anyone found other weak spots? Or a good leak finding technique, probably end up trying to pressurise the cabin. any instructions?
Water leaks on a 34?
- Thread starter Mike Oldak
- Start date
Garden hose on light spray starting from the lowest point starting from one section at a time. Patience is always a plus.
I've heard of the pressure test with soap and water and paint brush
Method but I think that is a myth. Really far too many areas on a boat to seal up enough create enough pressure to form bubbles.
However I maybe incorrect. In theory it could work. Let us know.
I've heard of the pressure test with soap and water and paint brush
Method but I think that is a myth. Really far too many areas on a boat to seal up enough create enough pressure to form bubbles.
However I maybe incorrect. In theory it could work. Let us know.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,390
I like to go sailing in the rain. Nice even distribution of water on the boat. The boat is flexing what with the tacking and wave action. It is very telling.
There is nothing like drip free boat. Not we no longer enjoy a “Dry Boat” unless we are in one of those unhealthy counties with blue laws.
There is nothing like drip free boat. Not we no longer enjoy a “Dry Boat” unless we are in one of those unhealthy counties with blue laws.
I have had problems with the fixed ports on the cabin sides and the mast base.. The mast base leaked into the big cross beam when mud dauber and wasp and spider debris plugged the drain holes in the base, allowing rainwater to get to a high enough level inside to go over the little standpipe where the internal mast wires go through
not necessarily water leaks, but another type of leak to check is the exhaust pipe exit. We recently experienced final failure of the host causing exhaust gases to accumulate in the cabin. Luckily, captain was on board to detect it. Looks like after years of the hose hanging, unsupported, developed a crack. We replaced it with new hose from Amazon and it's good as new. It was a bit difficult to get the hose off the engine side.
Where is the drain hole in the base of the mast? I'm concerned that we may have caulked around the base of the mast in our attempt to seal the boat and created the plugging of the drain holes.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,390
@Mike Oldak That is an issue which can happen. I like to look for them where it is most obvious for the water to drain out on the deck. Usually in the front or back of the mast base. You may find staining in the area or a bit of corrosion in the area. You can try poking the mast and the caulk with a probe. If it has been plugged and you probe the hole you will likely get a gush of water out. Just clean out the hole and then be careful in the future.
I am assuming you have a deck stepped mast. If you have a keel stepped mast the same weep hole will be there but it will be in the bilge at the base of the mast.
If you are deck stepped, you can also drill a 1/4 inch hole in the base to install a weep hole. Just do it where you will not be drilling into any wires.
I am assuming you have a deck stepped mast. If you have a keel stepped mast the same weep hole will be there but it will be in the bilge at the base of the mast.
If you are deck stepped, you can also drill a 1/4 inch hole in the base to install a weep hole. Just do it where you will not be drilling into any wires.
I have water coming in the overhead main hatchway track, most of which goes into the sink. Unfortunately remediation has not been successful and I will be replacing the galley sole. Also a leak developed in the aluminum track that holds the main hatch boards, so i will also be replacing the engine hatch and starboard engine bulkhead aft of the main switch.
Splash,
The water leak from hatch can be fixed by cutting a small grove along the top and bottom edge of the hatch. The top grove will Chanel heavy rain run off into the deck hood and also into the metal hatch board frame. The grove cut into the bottom of the hatch prevents water from running uphill.
Some one else posted this problem on a h31 which is essentially the same boat just smaller.
The water leak from hatch can be fixed by cutting a small grove along the top and bottom edge of the hatch. The top grove will Chanel heavy rain run off into the deck hood and also into the metal hatch board frame. The grove cut into the bottom of the hatch prevents water from running uphill.
Some one else posted this problem on a h31 which is essentially the same boat just smaller.
My hunter 34 from 1984? has an opening at the bottom of the mast so there is no place for water to pool in the bottom of the mast