Went sailing yesterday, wind was really gusty and had her healed over to 30+ degrees several times under reefed main and partial furled jib. Sailed for quite awhile at 20-25 degrees. Got back to the slip and noticed a few drops of water on the floor between the cabinet under the stove and steps. Investigated, found the area underneath the rear berth cushions wet and the mouse fur along the bottom edges was soaked about 1.5-2 inches up the fur on both sides, but worse on starboard side. Above that was dry. Pulled the cusions out, checked the bilge, dry. Checked both rear lockers, dry. Wiped up water, checked under galley, dry. Checked under sink in head just for kicks, also dry. I installed the canvas companion way cover couple months ago and it has been bone dry in there ever since. Sooooo, where's it coming from? Any guesses? Boat is an '02 H260
Where's the water coming from?
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Hull/Deck Joint?
It's possible the water was weeping through and running inside the hull, within the foam behind the 'mouse fur' and settled at the bottom where the berth base is? At least that's what used to happen to one boat I had. Also, it can run from the ports between the inner and outer liner and come out the same way. Annoying, but no big deal. Rick D.
It's possible the water was weeping through and running inside the hull, within the foam behind the 'mouse fur' and settled at the bottom where the berth base is? At least that's what used to happen to one boat I had. Also, it can run from the ports between the inner and outer liner and come out the same way. Annoying, but no big deal. Rick D.
Archives
Check the forum archives for the 26 and 260. We had some leakage around the ballast tank valve screw when we heeled a lot!
Check the forum archives for the 26 and 260. We had some leakage around the ballast tank valve screw when we heeled a lot!
H260 Where's the Water Coming From?
If you sleep on the boat in really cold weather water vapor exhaled will condense in the birth area and soak the edges of the birth matress, the starboard side pillow area worst. The decking over the bilge pump can be a little damp also. When this happens, it's a really good idea to strip the bedding and pull the 3 matress cushions to the galley to dry. Also, check the battery box compartment, maybe some splash while sailing entered from the transom area.
If you sleep on the boat in really cold weather water vapor exhaled will condense in the birth area and soak the edges of the birth matress, the starboard side pillow area worst. The decking over the bilge pump can be a little damp also. When this happens, it's a really good idea to strip the bedding and pull the 3 matress cushions to the galley to dry. Also, check the battery box compartment, maybe some splash while sailing entered from the transom area.
thanks
I'll check the archives and the ballast valve screw. I have noticed the condensation when sleeping on board before. Has anyone used that dry berth material they sell at west marine? Supposed to wick the moisture and keep it from soaking into the cushions.
I'll check the archives and the ballast valve screw. I have noticed the condensation when sleeping on board before. Has anyone used that dry berth material they sell at west marine? Supposed to wick the moisture and keep it from soaking into the cushions.
Check The Hatch.
I noticed water in the same location on my H260 this past summer. As it turned out, even though the hatch/window (the one under the starboard cockpit seat) was closed, I had not sealed or fastened the levers closed and it leaked very badly soaking that rear berth. Just a thought!
I noticed water in the same location on my H260 this past summer. As it turned out, even though the hatch/window (the one under the starboard cockpit seat) was closed, I had not sealed or fastened the levers closed and it leaked very badly soaking that rear berth. Just a thought!
Is your tank full?
I don't suppose your (brown water) holding tank is near full by chance. Your description is nearly identical to a previous wet wonder we had! By the way, isn't it odd how us A-docker's hook-up on a web-site. When's the baby due? "Simple Interest" A-15
I don't suppose your (brown water) holding tank is near full by chance. Your description is nearly identical to a previous wet wonder we had! By the way, isn't it odd how us A-docker's hook-up on a web-site. When's the baby due? "Simple Interest" A-15
Hey Brian
Good to hear from you. Where were you guys last Saturday? It was a wild ride. Not many boats out, it was really blowing. The holding tank should be pretty empty, had it pumped a few weeks ago and haven't really used it since. That would not be a good situation. Was yours leaking from the tank or backing up? I am going to make note of all the suggestions from this site and investigate further next time I get out. Before Dave installed our new floor, water would squish up from the old one when you stepped on it after a hard rain. The hatch used to leak before I installed the companion way cover. Sounds like you can get water trapped in the void between the ballast tank and cabin floor based on some of the archive posts. Baby is due late Feb. Donna and I are getting pretty excited, almost as much as the grand parents. Lots of Kerr lakers on the site, we should have a pretty good Rendevous.
Good to hear from you. Where were you guys last Saturday? It was a wild ride. Not many boats out, it was really blowing. The holding tank should be pretty empty, had it pumped a few weeks ago and haven't really used it since. That would not be a good situation. Was yours leaking from the tank or backing up? I am going to make note of all the suggestions from this site and investigate further next time I get out. Before Dave installed our new floor, water would squish up from the old one when you stepped on it after a hard rain. The hatch used to leak before I installed the companion way cover. Sounds like you can get water trapped in the void between the ballast tank and cabin floor based on some of the archive posts. Baby is due late Feb. Donna and I are getting pretty excited, almost as much as the grand parents. Lots of Kerr lakers on the site, we should have a pretty good Rendevous.
Similar problem...
with my 1999 H260. The boat was bone dry for the first two years, then started occasionally getting wet under the aft berth cushions and "mouse" fur. Seemed worse when several people were on board due to stern sitting lower, and also when heeled a lot. Finally narrowed it down to a wire hole that was drilled for the stern light. Open the lazzerette (stern seat) and see if there is a wire that comes up from the floor under there. If so, it might be letting water into the compartment behind the aft berth (where the battery is). In my case, the caulking had hardened and pulled away allowing water to come in when a wave came over the stern. I found it using a garden hose to test all the concevable places water might be coming in. I've resealed it and have been bone dry again. I have read reports of leaking outboard bracket mounting bolts and even carelessly drilled holes for attaching the rubrail letting water into that compartment, too, but I think those were resolved in later model boats. You might check where your battery to outboard motor wire goes through, too. If you are healed way over, it could be dunking that area. It gets wetter on the starboard side because the battery platform prevents much water from coming around on the port side. On my boat, some water would seep through the bulkhead base into the bilge (under the aft berth) where there is a hole drilled, presumably for holding tank plumbing (which my boat doesn't have). Good luck and fair winds. Tom
with my 1999 H260. The boat was bone dry for the first two years, then started occasionally getting wet under the aft berth cushions and "mouse" fur. Seemed worse when several people were on board due to stern sitting lower, and also when heeled a lot. Finally narrowed it down to a wire hole that was drilled for the stern light. Open the lazzerette (stern seat) and see if there is a wire that comes up from the floor under there. If so, it might be letting water into the compartment behind the aft berth (where the battery is). In my case, the caulking had hardened and pulled away allowing water to come in when a wave came over the stern. I found it using a garden hose to test all the concevable places water might be coming in. I've resealed it and have been bone dry again. I have read reports of leaking outboard bracket mounting bolts and even carelessly drilled holes for attaching the rubrail letting water into that compartment, too, but I think those were resolved in later model boats. You might check where your battery to outboard motor wire goes through, too. If you are healed way over, it could be dunking that area. It gets wetter on the starboard side because the battery platform prevents much water from coming around on the port side. On my boat, some water would seep through the bulkhead base into the bilge (under the aft berth) where there is a hole drilled, presumably for holding tank plumbing (which my boat doesn't have). Good luck and fair winds. Tom
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