water water but from where?

[epsilonblue]

Hi
I have a hunter 260 and twice recently when sailing I have found water under the rear berths.
The boat has stood on its trailer all summer and was as dry as a bone, however when we sail it in rough water and the boat is heeling a bit it take on quite a bit . When sitting at its mooring no water at all, any ideas please.
Thanks John

 

[BrianW]

One very possible source would be through the centerboard bracket metal plate. Its accessible from the cabin to the right of the cabin table. Pry off the small fiberglass access panel and you should be able to see the plate with the big bolt head in the middle. If the bedding seal is broken, water can leak while heeled or while docked in rough water. If you take a peek while sailing, you can verify if this is the source by seeing water leaking at the bolt head or around the outer edges of the metal plate. To truly repair this leak, you need to haul it out, lift the boat, and drop the centerboard, remove the plate, and liberally apply 3M 5200 under on the plate and under the bolt head. A quick temporary fix in the water may be with a glob of 3M 4200 (not 5200) on top of the bolt head and around the outside edges of the metal plate/fiberglass joint. BrianW

 

[epsilonblue]

Thanks Brian I did inspect this area but we were in calm conditions however there was evidence of water at the base of the pole but it was difficult to judge where it had come from. It appeared to be from where the socket where the pole sits in it. I will be racing the boat tomorrow and it looks to be on the rough side so I will check it out, thanks again john

 

[MABell]

I would agree with Brian

Most likely the thru bolt for the centerboard under the compression post.
If the H260's are like the H26, the other possibility is where the ballast tank vent and closure rod is (under the step). Water can slop out and run between the tank top and step. Especially, if you're like me, and overload the boat- making it site low in the water. The only other thing (I hate to even say) is the ballast tank is cracked. But I really doubt it. Not unless your boat has fallen off the boat stands or you have landed the boat completely out of the water on the rocks. You haven't done that? Right?

 

[epsilonblue]

The boat has not had any hard knocks of any kind since I have owned it and I sailed all last winter with no evidence of water leaking in and in some rough water. Do you know where I can source a plan of the 260's construction? I have seen one somewhere
thanks John

 

[John23883]

Rear deck/hull joint

Here's my solution to the leak we had only while sailing.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=922296#post922296

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

When looking at the compression post area, one thing is mentioned about the plate and to add 5200 where the plate sits on top of the fiberglass. Also check to see if the bolt it tight and put a little bead of silicon or some caulk around the bolt head. In additon, see if there is a hole in the compression post that a #10 bolt can go into the hole. If so, put a screw with caulk and there would be one on the aft side of the, so do the same.

Another area is the wing nut that closes the water ballast off. Make sure the gasket underneath the washer is not worn. In addition, make sure the air hole drain bail is tight. It can be loosened or tighten by adjustint the handle portion.

In the rear of the boat at transom. Check the lower rudder bolt connection as that can work loose. If not, see if any water comes from the hull to deck joint and if so, then send me an email to davecondon@mindspring.com and I will call you how to fix my friend. Happy new year.

crazy dave condon

 

[JamesO256]

I don't know too much about 26th but does it have a fresh water supply on board. I know my 22 had a bad homes in anytime it would lean over very for it would leak water out of the in board tank. it's a pain trying to find everything's closed.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Epsilonblue;

email me your phone number and I will call if in the US as I wrote the book on this boat sir.

Dave condon

 

[Ray Bowles]

Is the boat a tiller model or wheel? Where exactly is the water found. Give approx distances from cabin landmarks. I might be able to help.
Ray

 

[epsilonblue]

Hi Dave and Ray
The water seems to get into the boat when we are sailing in rougher conditions. When we tack the water obviously runs down to the lowest point, so when the boat is heeled there is evidence of water around the bearth under the cockpit and in the cupboards under the sinks in the galley area and heads. Where the compression post is located below the table the are signs of water (only looks a little) where the post fits in.
The water tends to stay in as the bilge pump is not in a well of any kind and the float switch will not activate it.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Episonblue;

I also use to be an investigator and still there is not enough information to go on as it could come from anywhere. I have asked for you to send me your telephone number and I will call. email me to davecondon@mindspring.com. You apparently do not know who or what I had to do with these water ballast hunter sailboats. There are alot of questions to ask and to be blunt, I have arthritis in my right hand and of course I am right handed.

When the boat sits in the water, I would want you to be the last person on the boat to leave but do wipe out all the water under the rear berths. Also tell me if there is water in the fresh water tank. Leave the boat and then come back to check. If there is a nasty rain storm, then check too. That is where I need to start asking questions. In addion, remove any water behind the rear berth wall closest to the transom or the wall with the battery behind it. When you come back to check, see if there is a stream of water coming from the rear area behind that wall coming into the area under the rear berth. From there I can start to figure out as you have not given me enough to respond to. That is why a long telephone converstaion is in order between us.

crazy dave condon