Cabin water leak

P

paverrills

New member
In late 2006, I reported that our 2005 22' Cruiser C-Dory had water in the cabin too ofter during the boating season. We believed that it came from rain water leaking in around the rub rails while the boat was on the lift. C-Dory authorized our marina where we winter our boat to remove the rub rails to see if that was the problem and they reported that everything looked fine there. I recently realized that the water is seeping in around the 1½" dia hole in the V-berth under the porta-potti. I removed the plastic plug and the foam insulation is there and saturated and water keeps coming out. Does anyone have any suggestions about where the water may be coming from and how to stop and get rid of the water under there? Any help would be appreciated. I have contacted C-Dory and they have not responded, yet.
Thanks,
Dave V
 
Hi Dave,

It's likely that your leak is one that has been well documented on this forum: the drain tube from the anchor locker is mis-drilled and is allowing water to leak into the area under the v-berth.

The fix is to put a brass tube in that drain and be sure it is sealed well on both ends.

We had the same problem on our boat, and put an inspection plate on the floor area at the cut-away section of the v-berth. Using a shop vac, you can dry out the foam... but it holds water a LONG time.

It's really more of a nuisance than a serious problem.

Regarding contacting C-Dory: the company that produced your boat sold out to Fluid Marine, which went out of business and sold the molds and rights to manufacture to SeaSport in Bellingham, WA. That's why you haven't heard back from C-Dory. SeaSport is under no obligation for warranty support for any of the previously produced boats.

You're on your own for the cost of this fix, but it isn't a big deal.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Sorry to hear about your water leaks C-dory has been sold to Seasport so I don't think you will receive any help there.I would look at 2 sources of water intrusion The brass stem guard usually leaks like a sieve or water coming in from the windlass . water accumulates in the anchor locker and could migrate down into foamed v-berth from the drain hole?you could cut some access holes with a hole saw and then put in inspection plates let the v-berth area dry out take the brass stem guard off and re-epoxy the holes I hope this helps i'm sure others will chime in
 
Thanks so much for the replies regarding my cabin water leak problem. I couldn't see how that much water could get in through the anchor locker. I'm not sure how you mean to put "a brass tube in the anchor locker drain", but I'll look to see if I can find the drain to my anchor locker. Where does it drain to?
Thanks
Dave V
 
It drains from the floor of the anchor locker out a hole to the outside of the hull and runs down the side. I think the hole is on the starboard side? Correct me if that is incorrect.
 
Widget had water coming in because several of the screws holding the brass stem guard on had penetrated the hull. With the boat on the trailer bow lower than stern you can wait to see if any drips form around the screws or backout the ones below the water line and watch the stream! I sealed them with 3M 4200 no problems X5 years.
 
What is a "brass stem guard" and where is it located? Thanks for all the help. I did hear from Seasport and he offered to have me talk with an ex-C-Dory employee that worked at Seasport.
Dave V
 
paverrills":r5gafvsj said:
What is a "brass stem guard" and where is it located? Thanks for all the help. I did hear from Seasport and he offered to have me talk with an ex-C-Dory employee that worked at Seasport.
Dave V
Click to expand...

The brass stem guard is located on the bow. It starts just below the d-loop to which the trailer chain attaches and wraps down to below the waterline. It's purpose is to protect the fiberglass at the leading edge. In several boats manufactured around 2005-2006, the screws used to attach the stem guard were too long and penetrated the hull. My bet is that's what happened in your case. The fix to this is to:
1) Remove all the foam that is saturated with water. This may require some other cuts through the fiberglass to access these areas.
2) Dry the cavity out.
3) Remove the stem guard and patch all screw holes.
4) Replace the stem guard but shift it up or down a little. Replace it with shorter screws that won't penetrate the hull.
5) Refill the cavity with foam (OR don't bother since if you put a few hatches in the v-berth area you'll get extra storage in the process).
 
I would put access hatches on the V Berth and remove the foam. (up to you to re foam, but I would not). It could be either the brass stem guard or the anchor locker. I assume that you have a deck plate for the anchor rode to come out through. Water can get into that, and then stand in the bottom of the locker. I would epoxy a tube from the locker to the outside--not use silicone sealant. You may need to fill some of the bottom of the anchor locker also with epoxy and glass to be sure that it is well protected from any water intrusion.
 
I too had water coming up through the plug under the porta potty. I did a quick fix after removing the chrome clam shell and finding the Bob was right again...no drain tube. The quick fix was to insert a tube from a can of great stuff well coated with 3M 4200. I did this from the outside but heres a pict of the inside as it is today.http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php The long of it is I had to put the v-birth under vacuum for two days. Fortunately It was hot and dry in Florida at the time. I bought a wet dry vac from a box store. The hose extension fits into the hole where you removed the white plug. It's amazing how much water comes in with your rode! A year later I pulled the foam out and inspected...no water just a little residual moisture on the foam that directly contacted the water as it ran down to the low spot. Here's a few picts of the inspection a year later.http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.phphttp://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
 
Our boat is a 2006 Cape Cruiser 23. A couple weeks ago when while doing my perodic check through the deck ports I discovered water under the cabin sole. This was the first time I had found moisture since we've owned the boat. The void under the cockpit was bone dry. I vacumed the water out and it amounted to about 5 quarts. Ran a fan into the void and dried it out. Yesterday we had almost 3 inchs of rain and this morning it was wet again. Took about a quart of water out. I checked the anchor locker and rope and it is bone dry. There is no indication of moisture under either the port or starboard voids under the sink/stove or dinette area. I don't have a clue about where the water might be coming from so need suggestions on where to begin my search for the leak.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

Gary
 
Hi Gary. Any change in the level of fresh water tank? Could be a leak. A couple 23's have found fractured water tank fittings. Other than that a thourough search thru the boat for wet marks is usually required. Any new fittings attached to the.boat lately? Could be leaks. Good luck
 
You might check the water tank filler. On my 2006 cruiser the filler was improperly installed and allowed water to leak around it during rain or occasional seas coming over the area. I found it by tracing a water stain down the cabin wall. I think you have some kind of upholstery on the wall that may not allow you to see any water.
 
George & Barry, Well I've checked out the water fill fitting, the water tank and all of the side walls behind the dinette and under the sink/stove and no water stains. The water was so clean and fresh looking I don't think it would leave any stains. We had about 1.5 inches of rain last night and this morning, the area had maybe a cup of water after being dried out yesterday.

What is puzzling me is that the compartments on all sides of the area directly under the walkway on both port and starboard are dry. So I'm still looking.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

Gary
 
Golerud,
I would check inside around the rub rail area. Some have had water leaking in through the fastners on the rub rail. Also some have had water leaking in under the bow rail mounting hardware where it meets the deck. Let us know what you find.
D.D.
 
I had water coming in around the bottom of the door (latch side). It would show up on the outside of the mid cabin bilge "pocket" under the step. If I did not get to it soon enough it would pool around the water tank and under the galley cabinet.

Lots of good ideas mentioned in previous posts, just thought I would mention another place to look.

good luck,
Dave
 
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