Rain and a leaky C-Dory

bcarli · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject: Rain and a leaky C-Dory

It's been raining pretty good today in Friday Harbor and this afternoon I went down to fuel up my c-dory 25 and I had about 2 inches of water on the floor. I pulled the carpet back and tasted it ( its freshwater) then started looking around and I found the water was coming in at the rounded corner of the bathroom wall, next to the stove, right at the floor. The water must be coming in from the cockpit but I never have had any water get inside the boat before. Not sure if its some qualking that gave away or what. Any ideas out there????????

Thanks

thataway · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject:

My suspician is that the area between the head or aft hanging locker, and the aft bilge (also cockpit) may not be completely sealed. This has been a problem in some of the 25's. You want to look at where the bulkhead laminates to the bottom, to the sides on both sides (difficult to see on the head side) and around the hoses to the holding tank, if you have the aft holding tank.

Good luck!--one solution is a camper canvas or slant back cover for the aft cockpit..

And you wondered what the bilge pump in the cabin was for?

bcarli · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject:

Hi
I think I found the leak and HOPEFULLY fixed it. The cockpit floor is designed to be removed to access the fuel tank and there is a caulked seam running around the floor. Where that seam run underneath the starboard "step" that is used to get in and out of the boat some of the caulking had come loose and was gone. I fixed it with some epoxy putty. It was a very small leak but it sure let a lot of water into the boat, ( 3 or 4 inches). Once the sun comes out and everything drys real good I'll pull the old caulk out and do a better job.

Thanks
Cold, soggy and wet in Friday Harbor, ( last week was a record heat wave... go figure )

bcarli · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:14 am Post subject:

Well so much for thinking I had the leak stopped. I'm sure its a caulking problem, I can see the water dripping when I unscrew the circular hatch plate on the step and shine a light in there. Its dripping down a fiberglass channel under the removable hatch ( picture would do good right now... I know). Any suggestions on caulking material. I don't like silicone. Probably use boat life and I banned 5200 from my boat.
Soggy in Friday Harbor
Thanks

Bill

Sarge · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:48 am Post subject:

Bill,

Check out this message thread for some ideas on tracking down the leak and possible areas to check:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5725&highlight=shower+leak

Good luck,