My 1981 Hunter 27 has been out of the water since mid October. All the port lights and hatches are closed tightly. I've tied a tarp over the forward hatch for extra protection. I have another tarp over the boom and tied closed around the mast. This tarp is large enough to extend to the toe rail on both sides, providing protection to the port lights. I have yet another tarp that covers the companionway. Everytime it rains, I find water in the bilge. Where is it coming from? The anchor well and cockpit are the only parts of the boat directly exposed to rain. The anchor well has no obvious leak. The cabin lockers are dry. The cockpit drains are working and show no leak when water passes through them. The scuppers just outside the coaming don't appear to be leaking. It's a complete mystery. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Where's the water coming from?
- Thread starter Stephen OBrien
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Maybe the tanks
Thanks for mentioning the tanks. I checked the fresh water and MSD holding tanks. There is a small amount of pink-colored (from the anti-freeze) liquid in both. But the water in the bilge is clear, so I don't suspect that it's leaking from the tanks.
Thanks for mentioning the tanks. I checked the fresh water and MSD holding tanks. There is a small amount of pink-colored (from the anti-freeze) liquid in both. But the water in the bilge is clear, so I don't suspect that it's leaking from the tanks.
ok here is a plan
Close up the boat as tight as you can including all but one vent. use tape or what every you can to get it sealed tightly. insert a blower, vacume or shop vac or something to introduce a little pressure. while the pressure is on, mix about a gallon of water with a good shot of your favorite dish soap and start in the front. pour the mixture slowly over every fitting. deck joint, hatch mast boot, winch cleat and so on untill you find bubbles. it will work great and you will know every leak in the boat in fairly short order. Your boat will be pretty clean too! have fun. and be sure to check arround windows too. If the leak is in the inner liner the inside is very hard to find but its eash when you pressurise the boat. If the hatch leaks a little ok then tape it and go to the next spot.
Close up the boat as tight as you can including all but one vent. use tape or what every you can to get it sealed tightly. insert a blower, vacume or shop vac or something to introduce a little pressure. while the pressure is on, mix about a gallon of water with a good shot of your favorite dish soap and start in the front. pour the mixture slowly over every fitting. deck joint, hatch mast boot, winch cleat and so on untill you find bubbles. it will work great and you will know every leak in the boat in fairly short order. Your boat will be pretty clean too! have fun. and be sure to check arround windows too. If the leak is in the inner liner the inside is very hard to find but its eash when you pressurise the boat. If the hatch leaks a little ok then tape it and go to the next spot.
Stephen, where does the rain water go...
that comes down the inside of the mast? Also, one of the fresh water fittings on our boat has a slow leak, but I have to remove the two 8D house bank batteries to get to it. So, when it's time to replace the batteries... Terry
that comes down the inside of the mast? Also, one of the fresh water fittings on our boat has a slow leak, but I have to remove the two 8D house bank batteries to get to it. So, when it's time to replace the batteries... Terry
Rail stanchions and/or deck hardware
Caulk and bedding compound doesn't last forever...and stanchions and deck hardware in need of rebedding are often the source of water inside a boat.
Caulk and bedding compound doesn't last forever...and stanchions and deck hardware in need of rebedding are often the source of water inside a boat.
Air intakes at the stern?
Our '77 h27 has two air intakes facing aft just forward of the stern. Rain will blow in there and then find its way into the bilge after pooling behind the engine. The other issue on our boat is the hull/deck joint. I have to tighten it every year, and it still leaks! The stanchion bases were recently rebuilt, but were clearly a problem for the P.O. David Lady Lillie
Our '77 h27 has two air intakes facing aft just forward of the stern. Rain will blow in there and then find its way into the bilge after pooling behind the engine. The other issue on our boat is the hull/deck joint. I have to tighten it every year, and it still leaks! The stanchion bases were recently rebuilt, but were clearly a problem for the P.O. David Lady Lillie
Thanks to all!
I really appreciate your comments. Really useful stuff. I'm sure that I'll get to the bottom of this and I'll let you all know what I learn.
I really appreciate your comments. Really useful stuff. I'm sure that I'll get to the bottom of this and I'll let you all know what I learn.
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