What to apply or paint on to fix small water leak in storage area on Hunter 23

[scott hall]

Have a Hunter 23. When remove cushion and wood cover underneath stove/sink area there is a small storage bin. I notices it has water in it. I wipe it out and weeks later it is there again. I cant seem to find a large crack or hole but I did notice some areas of the fiberglass are smooth and some more rough. The bin is slopped up and only seems wet near the bottom. Should I just apply some white rubber paint-the kind you see advertised on TV for fixing gutters in a spray can or maybe a waterproof paint.

Thanks

Scott

 

[isaksp00]

Find where the water comes from. It may be from one of the deck hardware bits above that storage area, e.g., a stanchion base, winch, etc. If you just seal up the inside of the bin it will likely just seep back in. Check the lazarette area under the cockpit, as if water gets in there it might seep into that storage bin. See if the "mouse fur" covering on the inside of the hull above that bin is stained or wet, as that may indicate the track of the water.
If you find a leaky fitting, I like butyl tape for water sealing, as long as the fitting isn't intended to be glued in place.
If you can't find it, Dave Condon (Crazy Dave) has posted in various threads a technique to pressurize the cabin with a shop vac in reverse, and then you can soap up the outside areas where there are penetrations and see where it bubbles.

 

[TFlight]

I'm not sure what climate you're operating in, but make sure you're not dealing with condensation, instead of a leek.

 

[JimInPB]

I like to use talc to find the source of slow mystery leaks. Dry the area out with a towel, then a blow dryer, then dust it with talc. Check back with a flashlight periodically until you see where the wet spot originates.

 

[isaksp00]

One other idea hit me - check the drain from the sink. It has a hose and through hull and that hose would normally sit above the cushion on top of where I think you are seeing the water. It is possible that water is getting in from the through hull and leaking out the hose somewhere. If you actually use the sink (put water in it) and a fitting or the hose leaks, that could be it. I'd think the cushion would show signs of water in that case.