cabin floor wet spot

[MaSnaka]

2001 310 sundancer I have owned for a little more than a year. Last weekend I noticed a wet spot on the carpet. Puzzling because there isnt an obvious source. Its on the starboard side just behind the dining booth. If you are familiar with the cabin layout there is a small shelf behind the booth near the aft birth. wet spot is away from that shelf by a few inches. Head and galley are on the port side. The storage space under the booth cusion is dry but the carpet is wet and has been wet since last weekend, maybe longer but I just noticed it. I store bottles of water on the shelf and figured a bottle had a leak but thats not the case. Water pump, head, water heater have all been off for days. Its about 1" x 8" right where the vinyl panel and floor meet. Still actively wet. Any ideas on this?? Is there plumbing on that side of my boat?

Thanks,
John

 

[Fill Ess]

Your profile doesn't say if you're in fresh water or not but can you determine what kind of water is in the carpet?

Has it rained recently? That spot would be right under your oval windows. I had a window that wasn't shutting/sealing and when it rained, the water would run down the stbd side -- behind the cabinets and sofa -- then pool up on the carpet below. By the time I noticed it, there was hardly any water left near the window and the top of the shelf so it was hard to spot.

Where is your freshwater tank located?

 

[MaSnaka]

Thanks for your reply Phil S. My boat sits in saltwater. I will have to give it the taste test to determine origin, Yuk!! Besides the night dew and fog we havent had rain for quite awhile. When washing down the boat I do see a small amount of leakage around those oval windows. I have towels there to absorb any water. I dont see any trace indicating thats the source. Im guessing freshwater storage is on the port side because my filler neck and breather vents are on that side. I'll keep after it just hate tearing things apart if I don't have to.

Thanks,
John

 

[bobeast]

Your fresh water tank is under the berth in your aft cabin. If that were the source of the water, the carpet in the "well" area would likely be wet.

 

[Fill Ess]

I would agree -- the aft cabin is a low spot so if the tank were leaking, it would pool up back there.

Once I had a side window leak, and the water ran down the sides put pooled up in the aft cabin. There were hardly any traces of water except for what was sitting in the aft cabin.

If you've confirmed that they already leak, it could be that the water is running behind your towels.

It could be that your rubber window seals are okay and you just need to tighten the knobs to get a good seal.

 

[Chris-380]

I would think the port window is the culprit. Take a quarter or 2 and wedge between the glass and the dog latch. That eliminated my issue

After looking for a while I was able to find the gaskets and have replaced the leaky one. The rest are on the list to do…. Lol

 

[MaSnaka]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have been visiting the boat everyday this week to check on the situation. Each day I blot up as much moisture as I can and each day its wet again. I placed a couple new Damp rid water absorbers and they are filling up. A year ago I stashed one in each cubby space under the dining benches and they were full due to neglect. Today I vacuumed up all traces of moisture, pulled some carpet back looking for a stream, nothing. I tightened the dog latches on my starboard windows, seals are soft so I'm thinking they are still good. Today I washed the boat down and hosed the window areas good and all that was inside was a few drops of water. Not enough to flow. I think I'm dealing with a condensation problem. I ordered a dehumidifier which should capture any airborne moisture. Also left a strong fan running to ventilate until then. I will be there again to check tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!

 

[Chris-380]

Do you:
leave your ac in dehumidify mode when you leave?

leave your AC on set to a reasonable temp like 72-74 degrees?

where is your AC unit compared to the dampness? Could the drop pan drain be clogged and overflowing?

 

[MaSnaka]

Well back to the issue of dampness. My theory of condensation was wrong. I used a moisture meter and was able to discover my moisture is not isolated to one spot. Its originating on the upper floor forward of the dining booth and migrating down into the aft cabin floor. I see no plumbing on the starboard side so I'm left to believe it's the windows, or the cleat, or the outside rail supports. I have exposed my fresh water tank and all the fittings are on top and dry, tank has been empty for a week and no water pump on. If it was leaking it would be isolated to the lower floor in the aft cabin. I have not been or ever used the AC unit. To be continued...
John

 

[techmitch]

Location info. in your profile may help with both this question and your other thread about fuel additives. If your in a high humidity and or a rainy area, that would help answer both questions, not to mention, you could be local to another CSR member that may be able to lend a hand so it's a good idea to complete your profile.

 

[beth Stampone]

we are having the same issue with water on the port side of the aft cabin. The water tank was checked and fittings changed. Port window in head resealed. Anything else we can check. Vaccum cabinet was wet as well.