Water under the sole

[Stephen Ord]

:{ I just got back from the boat and putting away the sails etc for winter and found water under the teak/holly sole (Hunter 30 1980). I am not sure where the water came in from but that is not my immediate problem now. How do I get rid of the water and are there any long term problems that can occur due to the water under the sole? I live in Canada so freezing will occur.I believe the water may be from the cover on the floor of the cockpit and I am going to replace the caulking unless I get any other suggests.

 

[Debra B]

how much water - some is normal

bilge pumps almost never get rid of everything. Running the engine will generate some as the shaft is supposed to drip. You should have an automatic bilge pump to handle the bulk of it. Other sources are Air conditioning condensation, and if you have any leaks in the deck (around the mast, hull/deck joint, any place you have a deck fitting - stanchion bases are a good place for leaks. These can be fixed by pulling and rebedding the fitting.)Someone else will have to tell you to do about winterising, but you can probably find some answers in the archive.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Anti-freeze?

Your note suggests the water is in places where it cannot be sponged out. Then I am wondering how you know it is there? Is it possible to just load those areas with anti-freeze so it will not freeze?The only area of the bilge that I worry about freezing water is where the pumps are located. Freezing is not going to hurt the bilge where there is plenty of room for expansion of the ice. I know about a wet bilge. Because my H37C has a keel-stepped mast there is always water there. I have to dry it and add a gallon of anti-freeze about four times a winter.

 

[J. Tesoriero]

Usual suspects

Stephen,I have a 1980 Hunter 30 and note that all areas inside the boat drain into the bilge. Water should not accumulate under the sole in any particular place unless there is a local leak that is directing water to run under the sole on its way to the bilge. The thru hull fittings and shaft log are all below the sole and have direct access to the bilge. The chain plates are usual suspects for leaking on this boat and must be re-caulked upon commissioning and decommissioning each year. The cockpit sole has a removeable section that will leak if not properly sealed. I have found that a good bead of caulk together with screwing or bolting it down will keep it water tight. Other, but less common areas to inspect include the mast, portlights, cabin top handrails and toerail, any of which might allow water to get inside.

 

[Stephen Ord]

Upon further examination

I suspect that the water is coming in through the hatch on the floor of the cockpit. I intend to recaulk it this week and bolt it down. The water is very evident as one walks on the sole the water squiches out at the sides. I have reduced it by using lots of paper towels at the edge while walking on the floor. Would there be any way of drying the area between the wood and the fibreglass? I certainly do not want the inside that damp all winter.

 

[Butch Beard]

Similar incident

I have a 79 Hunter 30 and the same thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago. It took 2 days of stomping around to get the water out. Problem is that the water will(did)*{ discolor the wood. I never did locate the source.