water coming in on countertop in cabin during hard rains... 96 sundancer270

[sadworld]

where in the world would water be getting in? not windows, they appear solid and sealed. its coming from under where the microwave/cubby sits atop the countertop. sink area... during hard rains this happens. 1996 Sundancer270. Thanks. Matt.

 

[sdleo26]

Seal up around your railings perhaps

 

[sadworld]

They appear good but i will look into that further. Any other suggestions? Anyone? Thanks....

 

[Tonka Boater]

Tracking down leaks is not easy because the point of entry could be 10 ft. from where you are seeing it on the inside. As you know, water travels down hill along the path of least resistance so you could have a leak in your anchor locker, for example, and water has decided to pool and enter the cabin near your port side window making you assume the window is the source.

Most common points of entry are the windows, bow rail stanchions, cleats, anchor locker or any deck/bow hardware. But the water really could be coming from anywhere. Get a level and try to determine the pitch and balance of your boat in order to narrow it down to all possible entry points higher than the location that you're seeing the water in the cabin. It's most likely entering on the same side as where you see the water but not necessarily guaranteed.

 

[Lazy Daze]

When you say the windows appear to be sealed... how certain are you of that? Did you look closely at the sealant around the outer perimeter? Sometimes the small, black "dogs" on the inside need a little turn of the tightening screw now and then. BUT, before you do that - simulate rain with a hose while someone watches. Try to concentrate the "rain" on one area at a time, starting at the lowest possible source and then move up.

 

[endless seas]

Windshield?

 

[rcknecht]

I had leak (in my 96 300) from my cockpit cover snaps that where screwed in my hull above the sink area... I unscrewed the snaps, caulked them, and reinserted them... Leak fixed...

 

[wrvond]

Been there!
I'd bet money it is the portlights. One thing you can do is remove the trash can behind the sink and stick your head down in the hole (take a flashlight) and examine the bare bulkhead. You'll likely see trails where the water has run down to the floor under the refrigerator.
Also, you can unzip the liner inside the cabinets to gain access behind, and see if it is wet there.

 

[DTW]

Do you have the 2 skylight windows on your model? If so good chance it's coming from there. I have a 2011 model that leaked from those windows that ran down through the microwave area.

 

[sadworld]

2 hatch model yes, i'll check it out. thanks....

Do you have the 2 skylight windows on your model? If so good chance it's coming from there. I have a 2011 model that leaked from those windows that ran down through the microwave area.

 

[sadworld]

ok thanks!

Been there!
I'd bet money it is the portlights. One thing you can do is remove the trash can behind the sink and stick your head down in the hole (take a flashlight) and examine the bare bulkhead. You'll likely see trails where the water has run down to the floor under the refrigerator.
Also, you can unzip the liner inside the cabinets to gain access behind, and see if it is wet there.

 

[sadworld]

doesn't the windshield sit atop a solid fiberglass shell? or is there separation where windshield meets the bow?

Windshield?

 

[sadworld]

i will look more closely. if its coming in the windows it would be coming from outside or at least behind the cabin material from the inside because i would think id see drip marks from inside and it appears totally dry.

When you say the windows appear to be sealed... how certain are you of that? Did you look closely at the sealant around the outer perimeter? Sometimes the small, black "dogs" on the inside need a little turn of the tightening screw now and then. BUT, before you do that - simulate rain with a hose while someone watches. Try to concentrate the "rain" on one area at a time, starting at the lowest possible source and then move up.

 

[sadworld]

thanks for that info, i'll check it out...

Tracking down leaks is not easy because the point of entry could be 10 ft. from where you are seeing it on the inside. As you know, water travels down hill along the path of least resistance so you could have a leak in your anchor locker, for example, and water has decided to pool and enter the cabin near your port side window making you assume the window is the source.

Most common points of entry are the windows, bow rail stanchions, cleats, anchor locker or any deck/bow hardware. But the water really could be coming from anywhere. Get a level and try to determine the pitch and balance of your boat in order to narrow it down to all possible entry points higher than the location that you're seeing the water in the cabin. It's most likely entering on the same side as where you see the water but not necessarily guaranteed.

 

[sadworld]

tell ya what those lights DO look a litte suspect... behind my stove is a storage cubby with microwave direct above. one piece. trust me, id love to get that off and take a look around but i dont see a way to remove it...

Been there!
I'd bet money it is the portlights. One thing you can do is remove the trash can behind the sink and stick your head down in the hole (take a flashlight) and examine the bare bulkhead. You'll likely see trails where the water has run down to the floor under the refrigerator.
Also, you can unzip the liner inside the cabinets to gain access behind, and see if it is wet there.

 

[sadworld]

i got some 3M 5200 sealant and planned to seal everything possible then i noticed it says it's not recommended for windows. what!? OK so what IS recommended for windows?

 

[Lazy Daze]

5200 is NOT the magic, cure-all people think it is - be careful about what you read on the internet. It is not meant for normal sealing. It's primary purpose is it's an industrial strength adhesive. It is also not UV stable, so it can't be used anywhere the sun shines.

There's plenty of products that can work, but my personal "go-to" sealant is the BoatLife brand of products - check them out.

Did you verify that this is where the leak is coming from?

 

[sadworld]

ok so i resealed the 2 windows on the side of the boat that the leak is on (where i see leak from inside) and both hatches best i could. NOPE. so just resealed the port lights and we will see. everything went as planned with the side i was concerned about but i did the other side just because and one of the screws broke right off when i tried to unscrew it. i think there was a little condensation inside the light on the red plastic. made me wonder. wasn't much though. main question i have now is how do i get that broken screw out of the hole so i can finish re attaching the light? will i have to just drill that out?

 

[CliffA]

main question i have now is how do i get that broken screw out of the hole so i can finish re attaching the light? will i have to just drill that out?

you can take a rotary tool (such as a Dremel) with a cut-off wheel and cut a slot into the top of the broken screw wide enough and deep enough for a flat head screwdriver to be used to remove the screw....if the top of the broken screw is flush with the hull cutting a slot in the top of the screw will leave a small groove in the fiberglass that will have to be repaired.....

or you can try to use an extractor bit like these.....

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-sp...VgC5ate-jfiYojJ369SjWetvkW2FiQufkeBoCG9fw_wcB



cliff

 

[sadworld]

UPDATE: looks like i have found and repaired the leak! No water since sealing those port lights! I'm pretty happy because I did not want to rebed that windshield! I'm sure I will at some point... thank you for all the suggestions!