After heeling to 30 or so in gusty winds we find that we have water in the cabin. Not a lot, but we can't figure out where it is coming from. Anyone been there?
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John
leaks
During the restoration of my '25 I had leaks at the stanchions and the toe rail, I would check the deck to hull joint first.
During the restoration of my '25 I had leaks at the stanchions and the toe rail, I would check the deck to hull joint first.
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Kevin Keen
Limber Holes on a Hunter 23
Steve: You are supposed to have water in the bilge after heeling a Hunter 23! ;-) Check near the keel bolts, you'll notice of pairs holes about a quarter inch in diameter. Water collects during rain between the cabin liner and the hull. The limber holes are placed there by the manufacturer so that the water will drain out while the boat is heeling. Why pairs of holes you might ask? One hole for starboard tack and the other for port tack. Now, some Hunter 23 have plugged all points of water entry so their boats are always dry inside. We call them fanatics. ;-) - Kevin
Steve: You are supposed to have water in the bilge after heeling a Hunter 23! ;-) Check near the keel bolts, you'll notice of pairs holes about a quarter inch in diameter. Water collects during rain between the cabin liner and the hull. The limber holes are placed there by the manufacturer so that the water will drain out while the boat is heeling. Why pairs of holes you might ask? One hole for starboard tack and the other for port tack. Now, some Hunter 23 have plugged all points of water entry so their boats are always dry inside. We call them fanatics. ;-) - Kevin
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Jim Maroldo
H23 Cabin
Steve, you didn't mention exactly where the water is in the cabin. Can you explain in more detail? Heeling over 30 degrees isn't enough to allow water over the rails, as any H23 owner can attest to. With such a high freeboard, you have to keep it over 45 degrees for that to happen! More than likely, you have a leak (or leaks- I speak from personal experience here!) somewhere on the deck (hatch mounting hinges, mast step, chainplates, cabin windows, etc.) that is making it's way down to the bilge and spilling out when you heel over, and/or water in the lazarette that spills over the longitudinal seat supports/bulkheads when heeled over hard, makes it's way into the under-the-seat storage space and then into the bilge as has been explained in the previous reply. Don't overlook the anchor locker, sink, and cockpit drain hoses! They do dry out and split over time. With no water pressure inside these hoses, they "weep" rather than spray, so cracks aren't very obvious. The easiest thing I've found is to merely replace them if they're old. Of course, it is also possible that you have a leak at the keel mounting joint, too! Let us know what you find! Jim Maroldo s/v: "'Lil Wass Ett III"
Steve, you didn't mention exactly where the water is in the cabin. Can you explain in more detail? Heeling over 30 degrees isn't enough to allow water over the rails, as any H23 owner can attest to. With such a high freeboard, you have to keep it over 45 degrees for that to happen! More than likely, you have a leak (or leaks- I speak from personal experience here!) somewhere on the deck (hatch mounting hinges, mast step, chainplates, cabin windows, etc.) that is making it's way down to the bilge and spilling out when you heel over, and/or water in the lazarette that spills over the longitudinal seat supports/bulkheads when heeled over hard, makes it's way into the under-the-seat storage space and then into the bilge as has been explained in the previous reply. Don't overlook the anchor locker, sink, and cockpit drain hoses! They do dry out and split over time. With no water pressure inside these hoses, they "weep" rather than spray, so cracks aren't very obvious. The easiest thing I've found is to merely replace them if they're old. Of course, it is also possible that you have a leak at the keel mounting joint, too! Let us know what you find! Jim Maroldo s/v: "'Lil Wass Ett III"
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Steve Ullrich
Thanks to the three of you that have given me some places to look. As for the degree of heel, I might have been riding with the toe rail in the lake for short stretches while I was out of control! I've been caught in gusts over twenty with the genny rigged! I can't rule out the hull to deck joint. I'll look for the limber holes and see if that is where it is coming in but I really don't think that's it. My daughter observed it coming out from under the seat storage and I bailed them out. I noticed more in there after the last rain. I did found a leak in the lazarette, the bolts holding the lower rudder mount weren't tight. The lazarette was bone dry the last time water came in (yesterday). Where's the bilge??? I can't find anyplace to mount a pump or watch for water after a rain. I know she leaks in the rain as the seat cushions have spots. I'll check all of the hoses and replace anything suspicious...
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Jim Maroldo
H23 Bilge...
..what there is, is under the floor boards! Look closely under ther and you'll find 2 holes in each well, fore & aft. If you hold your wet/dry vac up against each one, you'll suck out any water that's lying under the cabin floor. I can't think of anyplace you could put a bilge pump in the 23, since you only have a couple of inches space between the floor boards and the keel bolts! Once again, check very carefully (stay inside the cabin during a hard rain), and I bet you'll find the source (or sources!) of your leak(s). Jim Maroldo
..what there is, is under the floor boards! Look closely under ther and you'll find 2 holes in each well, fore & aft. If you hold your wet/dry vac up against each one, you'll suck out any water that's lying under the cabin floor. I can't think of anyplace you could put a bilge pump in the 23, since you only have a couple of inches space between the floor boards and the keel bolts! Once again, check very carefully (stay inside the cabin during a hard rain), and I bet you'll find the source (or sources!) of your leak(s). Jim Maroldo
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Kevin Keen
Check Windows for Seal
Steve: If you have waterspots on the main cabin cushions; check the seals on the port and starboard windows and also the sliding hatch during a good hard rain. - Kevin.
Steve: If you have waterspots on the main cabin cushions; check the seals on the port and starboard windows and also the sliding hatch during a good hard rain. - Kevin.
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