Sun Dancer 270 water coming through floor

[Rich Frohock]

I have a new to me 1999 Sea Ray Sun Dancer 270 that I took out for the first time and found out that the carpet near the bathroom floor was constantly getting wet where the floor and the side of the wall meet near the bathroom door . The bathroom has not been used yet this year and the water used in the toilet system has not been turned on yet . The water system is still winterized with red antifreeze. The water on the floor does not have a red color to it at all.

My question is where could the water be coming from ? Is there a bilge space below the floor there ? There is some water in the shower sump box and bilge around it , could this be part of the problem ?

 

[boatrboy]

Lift the top step and look there. There is a shower sump box and if there is water there, the side windows may be leaking. Start there.

 

[aerobat77]

I had the same problem on my 2006 240da . After searching like hell it turned out to be a leaky trailerwinch hook pickup where it took water in the front . This water finally made its way to the shower pump box and has soaked the carpet in the area .

I do not know if the 270 is build the same way but on the 240 the trailerhook pickup is located so close to the waterline its permanently washed by the bow wave or even underwater when two people sleep in the front cabin .

The showerpump box ( way more aft ) is in theory enclosed so should have no connection but in practise bad laminating makes water from the front its way .

There is obviously a bilge are below the shower box floor since the hull is a vee and this floor is flat. This are is at the 240 non accessible so you cannot look below or dry it out there .

Again : don,t know if your boat is build the same way .

 

[Rich Frohock]

Lift the top step and look there. There is a shower sump box and if there is water there, the side windows may be leaking. Start there.

Thanks for your information . I did check there and there is a fair amount of water in there . How would the water get down there ? Would the side windows leak and the water runs down the side of the hull to get there ? Is there any other way water could get into the bilge ? Is that bilge open to the bilge in the engine room or is it separate ? The boat is new to me and there has not been any showers taken in the boat to send water in that bilge over the past 6 months. the boat just came out of winter storage .

 

[Rich Frohock]

I had the same problem on my 2006 240da . After searching like hell it turned out to be a leaky trailerwinch hook pickup where it took water in the front . This water finally made its way to the shower pump box and has soaked the carpet in the area .

I do not know if the 270 is build the same way but on the 240 the trailerhook pickup is located so close to the waterline its permanently washed by the bow wave or even underwater when two people sleep in the front cabin .

The showerpump box ( way more aft ) is in theory enclosed so should have no connection but in practise bad laminating makes water from the front its way .

There is obviously a bilge are below the shower box floor since the hull is a vee and this floor is flat. This are is at the 240 non accessible so you cannot look below or dry it out there .

Again : don,t know if your boat is build the same way .

Thank you for your suggestion's . I will dig deeper into locating water getting into that bilge area. It will take me a few days but I will reply once I can look around , thanks again !

 

[Yendor]

The other possible water source in that area (if it is applicable) is the condensate pan and the associated drain hose from the air conditioner. If that hose comes disconnected from the drain pan, and/or the drain pan is not level, that water will end up in the forward bilge but outside of the intended sump. If it is there, and you are unaware, that can all be accessed under the aft dinette seat.

 

[boatrboy]

Thanks for your information . I did check there and there is a fair amount of water in there . How would the water get down there ? Would the side windows leak and the water runs down the side of the hull to get there ? Is there any other way water could get into the bilge ? Is that bilge open to the bilge in the engine room or is it separate ? The boat is new to me and there has not been any showers taken in the boat to send water in that bilge over the past 6 months. the boat just came out of winter storage .

I hate to say it but taste it to see if its fresh water or salt (assuming you are on the sound like me). When my windows leaked I had water travel down the the sides and into that area and accumulate around the outside of the sump box. I don't recall seeing a tube back to the bilge and I did not have a/c, but if you do, as mentioned you should check that line.

Feel around the bottom off the windows on both sides and head. See if you feel moisture after it rains or after you wash it. If you pull the V-Birth cushion/mattress up you can see if water has travelled under the mattress from the bow, which I would be surprised if it did.

Check under the sink(s) for the water lines to make sure they are not dripping if you put the water system on already.

Good luck.

 

[Rich Frohock]

The other possible water source in that area (if it is applicable) is the condensate pan and the associated drain hose from the air conditioner. If that hose comes disconnected from the drain pan, and/or the drain pan is not level, that water will end up in the forward bilge but outside of the intended sump. If it is there, and you are unaware, that can all be accessed under the aft dinette seat.

Thanks for the feed back. I will dig into the forward bilge pump and investigate what is going on down there.

 

[Rich Frohock]

I hate to say it but taste it to see if its fresh water or salt (assuming you are on the sound like me). When my windows leaked I had water travel down the the sides and into that area and accumulate around the outside of the sump box. I don't recall seeing a tube back to the bilge and I did not have a/c, but if you do, as mentioned you should check that line.

Feel around the bottom off the windows on both sides and head. See if you feel moisture after it rains or after you wash it. If you pull the V-Birth cushion/mattress up you can see if water has travelled under the mattress from the bow, which I would be surprised if it did.

Check under the sink(s) for the water lines to make sure they are not dripping if you put the water system on already.

Good luck.

Thank you again for the information . Im heading down to the boat now and I will check on all of your suggestions .

 

[Woody]

Some common sources(leaks) that can cause the wet carpet you described are window, rub rail, and windshield mount screws.

 

[Rich Frohock]

Some common sources(leaks) that can cause the wet carpet you described are window, rub rail, and windshield mount screws.

Thanks for the reply . I have paper towel taped under windows to see what’s happening when I am not there . I’ll watch for your other suggestions . Thanks again for replying .

 

[Lazy Daze]

What's the answer to fresh vs salt?

If fresh... Remove the carpeted trim board from below the head door. There's only a couple screws holding it on - feel into the carpet for the scew heads. That will give you a good view of under the head floor... where a leak at the head window often ends up as water can leak between the outer hull and the head fiberglass.

What does the sealant look like on the outside of the head window?

Spraying the head window (and other suspect areas) with a hose can help show leaks.

 

[Rich Frohock]

What's the answer to fresh vs salt?

If fresh... Remove the carpeted trim board from below the head door. There's only a couple screws holding it on - feel into the carpet for the scew heads. That will give you a good view of under the head floor... where a leak at the head window often ends up as water can leak between the outer hull and the head fiberglass.

What does the sealant look like on the outside of the head window?

Spraying the head window (and other suspect areas) with a hose can help show leaks.

 

[Rich Frohock]

I think you’re on the right track . The water is not salty .I’ll dig deeper into that area net trip down to the boat . Thanks for the suggestions .

 

[sdarc]

Back when I had my 270, my leak came from the window on the starboard side before entering the mid berth. It was the closure turnbuckles had loosened up. Go with easy first. The water came in and went behind the wall and showed up under the carpet in front of the stairs.

 

[Rich Frohock]

Thank you for responding . That is exactally what is happening ! When I first started using the boat about a month ago I would leave the bathroom window open for air to circulate when I would leave it on the mooring . Since learning through replies on this site I have been closing it and the problem has gotten a lot better . I am still watching and trying options but it looks like they all lead to the windows . Thank you for your response ! This site is a great resource because of all of the replies .