Water inside the cabin. 320 Sundancer '04

[jfboucher]

Water inside the cabin. 320 Sundancer '04 -found the leak!

Hi All.

Just noticed water leaks into the cabin after heavy rains. Accumulations big enough to make the carpet "squishhh" when pressing it. Location is front of the bed STBD side at the base of the stair in front of the V-Berth hanging locker. Can feel humidity in the hanging locker as well.

Any idea where the water is coming in from ? Could it be a seal on one of the skylight or the deck hatch ? Where could the leak be to only wetten the STBD side ? Could it come in from the anchor storage locker ?

Marine survey found higher than normal humidity level aroud Port side wiper base... could it be the cause ? I can't see how since wrong side of boat and opposite end....

Any suggestions appreciated....


After many tests, finally found the leak... it was going in through the rub rail as suggested in one of the posts... Put some duck tape on it before recaulking everything to make sure and came out dry after a few rainy days...

Thanks all.

JF
Sundancer 320 2004 with 6.2s V-Drives

 

[blueeyeboatr]

Ha dthe same exact problem with my 05' 320,
took me 3 days to locate it, beleive it or not, rain water running behide the "rub rail' was the source,
I removed BOTH the stainless and rubber (100's of screws) recaulked and never had the problem again..

Good luck

 

[Vince_nj1]

There are several posts on this topic, with several causes of the leaks. When I bought my 06 320 (repo) the GFI outlet in the bathroom was tripped. I went searching for the cause and found that the central vacuum was sitting in a few inches of water and was ruined. My problem turned out to be the bathroom sink. The trap wasn't tight so it didn’t seal to the sink. Every time someone used the sink, water would leak around the trap and run down the outside of the drain hose and collect in the compartment that houses the central vacuum.

That appears to have been my major source of water, however I pulled the cushion again this weekend and the compartment was damp. (This was after 4 people showered) So I am now back in the water leak search mode. I suspect that water may be leaking through the door under the bathroom sink when people are showering. The toilet paper was fine all weekend, but I checked after everyone showered and it was wet.

Other possible leak areas reported were the windows not being tight and water leaking in from the hose on the deck when you fill the water tank. I remember reading something about it not being a good idea to let the water run until it backs up out of the fill hose on deck. I forget why that was a problem. I did exactly that this weekend and couldn’t detect water leaking into the cabin. I let it run for about 30 seconds with water pouring out of the vent on the side of the boat. If it was leaking, I didn’t find it.

The quest continues...

 

[skolbe]

I just spent Sunday - finding a leak in my bathroom head - it was the flexible hose for the shower. I replaced that and hope to be dry. But I am with Vince check there and rubrail is my second suspicion.

 

[hack4alivin]

Check the port and starboard windows and make sure they are tight. Mine was getting wet after a heavy rain and it was the window on the starboard side. Tighten it up and the problem is gone. No water since.

 

[chelepop]

Hi All.

Just noticed water leaks into the cabin after heavy rains. Accumulations big enough to make the carpet "squishhh" when pressing it. Location is front of the bed STBD side at the base of the stair in front of the V-Berth hanging locker. Can feel humidity in the hanging locker as well.

Any idea where the water is coming in from ? Could it be a seal on one of the skylight or the deck hatch ? Where could the leak be to only wetten the STBD side ? Could it come in from the anchor storage locker ?

Marine survey found higher than normal humidity level aroud Port side wiper base... could it be the cause ? I can't see how since wrong side of boat and opposite end....

Any suggestions appreciated....

JF
Sundancer 320 2004 with 6.2s V-Drives

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

YOUR MISSION: (if you chose to accept it)

Check your 20 x 20 escape hatch at the metal seams and caulk them with clear or white (HIGHLY DOUBTFUL, unless you are running/storing your boat vertically.)

Re-caulk your deck runners and bow rail stanchions, w/s wiper motors and Nav. lights.

Tighten screws in all LATCHES on deck windows (will loosen with time)

Check headliner for wet/dampness.

Check for voids and dampness in gel under your cushion in your V-Berth storages. (HIGHLY UNLIKELY)

Check the 'roof' of your hang locker inside for screws in the corners and caulk them.

Check behind your sofa in the storages for dampness

Check under your hull outside completely for a tiny damage you might have hit something and already have a water intrusion and it shows itself with more water, or a very slow leak.

Remove your rubber gasket from the bottom of your windshield and re-caulk all of the screws. (Unlikely or you would see a water trail)

Check for voids in your rope locker (HIGHLY DOUBTFUL unless you run/store your boat with the nose up)

Check for 3 drain holes under your rubber/metal rub rail, one under davit, two on corners of the stern.

Create another drain hole just before the problem area straight up under the rubber with a 9/64" drill bit, 5/8" deep on both sides to be consistent.

Remove the rubber and metal re-caulk the hull and deck mating, re-caulk all the screw threads and then caulk the heads of the screws after re-installing the rubber after replacing, caulk holes for the metal to sit on. Re-caulk the top and bottom seams on the rubber. ((We now use a gasket under rubber))


Check, lying down on deck and standing on dock for voids in rope locker ((VERY HIGHLY UNLIKELY))

Finally, rub your tummy and stick out your tongue and wave.

I have run out of ideas thus far, please keep us informed of your discovery.

 

[chelepop]

I just spent Sunday - finding a leak in my bathroom head - it was the flexible hose for the shower. I replaced that and hope to be dry. But I am with Vince check there and rubrail is my second suspicion.

Im not saying it isn't possible, but in your case, since the head is a separate entity not "built" into the boat your rubber and metal should'nt effect your leak. I hope it was just the shower wand hose. Please keep us posted, love to heard new knowledge.

 

[chelepop]

Check the port and starboard windows and make sure they are tight. Mine was getting wet after a heavy rain and it was the window on the starboard side. Tighten it up and the problem is gone. No water since.

I agree, at least the screws in the latches do losen over time.



STILL LOVE YOUR BEAUTY!!!

 

[timinfla2]

My bow rail stanchions were not caulked properly and it leaked right from the factory.

 

[skolbe]

Mine was a leak from the hose - it has stopped leaking. After a shower under the cabinet used to be drenched. The company that supplies the faucets is ITC. I used a generic hose kit from home depot. The company didn't respond to my email - and I never tried calling. But if the hose was expensive - I would probably just buy a new faucet. I will warn you if you get the hose kit - you have to use parts from your old hose and the new hose kit. It's some creative engineering that marvels some fancy go cart driving. My wife thought the hose looked better than the old one.

 

[rbihn2]

Hi All.

Just noticed water leaks into the cabin after heavy rains. Accumulations big enough to make the carpet "squishhh" when pressing it. Location is front of the bed STBD side at the base of the stair in front of the V-Berth hanging locker. Can feel humidity in the hanging locker as well.

Any idea where the water is coming in from ? Could it be a seal on one of the skylight or the deck hatch ? Where could the leak be to only wetten the STBD side ? Could it come in from the anchor storage locker ?

Marine survey found higher than normal humidity level aroud Port side wiper base... could it be the cause ? I can't see how since wrong side of boat and opposite end....

Any suggestions appreciated....

JF
Sundancer 320 2004 with 6.2s V-Drives

I had the exact same issue on my 2006 - plus H2O in the cabinet just above the wet carpet area. Dealer fixed it last winter (warranty) by replacing the rear stbd window. It was actually just missing the nylon set screw used to tighten up the black knob/latch - but I've been dry this season.

 

[skolbe]

My faucet leaks on the hot water side once - the first shower starts. I am replacing the faucet with a better quality faucet.

 

[AndreasW]

I also had a problem with water in my Vacuum compartment. The whole compartment was filled with water shortening out the vac and tripping the breaker. Fortunatly the vacuum still worked after I took it out and dryed it for a few hours :thumbsup:.

I did find the source of the water that afternoon when we were cought in a huge rain storm. Water was prouing into the bathroom window. :smt089 And knowing it rained during the last few weeks I just don't want to think about how much water went into the boat. Once I tightened all the window screws it stopped leaking, but the windows really seem to be the weak point.

I also don't know why the vacuum compartment is like a bathtub with out a drain. That is just waiting for trouble. Hopefully it stays dry now.