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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Water leaking into cabin beneath cockpit

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Jacob
1st Mate

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34 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/17/2023 : 09:43:53

Hello everyone. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas of where my water leak could be coming from. I have a 2006 WB with pedestal steering. The aft berth keeps getting wet somehow. I've now removed the cushions and am getting a puddle back there every time it rains. It's hard to tell where exactly the water is coming from. Are there any common areas for leaks on these boats? My best guess is that it's either coming through where the pedestal steering is mounted, or through the companionway somehow. Either place could allow the water to run across the ceiling and then drip somewhere else. I may have to eventually get in there and close the boat up, and have someone start spraying it down with water, I guess.

DavidCrosby
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2023 : 12:13:19

My main sheet traveler (wing keel) was leaking through some of the bolts.

Coaming cubbie would leak water into the aft berth if I managed to spray up into it while washing the boat.

I do not have wheel steering - but I would think that is a good possibility.

Good Luck.

David Crosby "Small World"
'02 C250 WK #614

JB
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2023 : 07:35:50

Check the rubber boot for the rudder for cracks and the foam under the pedestal dampness. Most of the water came in from the hatch so I now keep it covered with a sunbrella cover.

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

Jacob
1st Mate

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34 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2023 : 06:01:12

quote:
Originally posted by JB

Check the rubber boot for the rudder for cracks and the foam under the pedestal dampness. Most of the water came in from the hatch so I now keep it covered with a sunbrella cover.

I do have holes in the rubber boot for the rudder, that is one of the projects on the list. But I don't think the water is coming from there because that area drains into the bilge. I know this because I have a cockpit shower or washdown pump whatever you want to call it, and the pump is in that area. I once left it on when I left the boat and it developed a leak in the pressure hose, it sprayed water in the battery/steering compartment and emptied the full fresh water tank, but none of that water made it into the aft berth.

I have heard someone else mention the hatch. I'm really beginning to think that is actually what my issue is. I will do some testing on that area with a water hose next chance I get.

Edited by - Jacob on 05/22/2023 06:02:08

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2023 : 06:38:21

Draw a line around any place that you suspect might be the source of the leak with a piece of brightly colored chalk. If that's where the leak is, the water will wash the chalk away in that spot. Rather than wait for rain, you can sprinkle the area with a garden hose.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

dmarion
1st Mate

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Canada
67 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2023 : 05:39:47

For the past 2 seasons, I have been trying to find where the water in the aft berth and the battery compartment was coming from. Using a hose to water the boat section by section, I finally found that the instruments I have installed where not as sealed as I thought. A good coat of silicone to seal them tight did the job.

Daniel Marion
Zendo
Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592
Valleyfield, QC,
Canada

Edited by - dmarion on 08/07/2023 05:40:40

jmorrical
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2024 : 15:17:43

I have a 1999 250 WK with pedestal steering. For a long time I have been trying to find how water gets into the aft berth. Three years ago I had to replace the cushion and fabric there because it mildewed and rotted the material. Now I never leave the new cushion there in the slip. Also the bottom edge of the marine plywood aft bulkhead eventually rotted and was replaced. I worry the radish brown stain I see is perhaps plywood core of the aft transom getting wet and rotting inside the transom fiberglass. Every significant rain this happens. What I have found really worries me.

Inside at the transom behind the aft bulkhead where the battery and wheel steering mechanism are is where I have isolated the problem. There is a small 3 inch crack below the lower reinforcing or backing bar that mounts the mast support bracket that is outside on the transom where the mast support is hung when the mast is down. There seems to be a small void at the crack also.

Anyway a radish brown stain flows from this crack down to the battery then overflows the bulkhead lip to the berth floor. That's how I discovered the source of the water. What I don't know yet is where the water comes from.

Can anyone assuage my fear?

Jim Morrical
Trilogy III
250WK #401

Edited by - jmorrical on 11/08/2024 15:31:48

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
835 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2024 : 23:10:43

Hi Jim,

I had a leak behind the aft bulkhead.
It turned out to be the cockpit coaming box (cubby box).
Inside the box I applied caulk along the bottom edge.
I also saw the reddish stain, but it was on the port and starboard sides then flowed down the sides near the battery box.
It doesn�t sound like the same problem.

Have you tried to remove the mast support bolts?
It could be the caulk is old and rain is following the bolt threads into the cabin.
Any through hull or through deck holes could cause a leak.
Something like the aft cleats could cause a leak.

Russ Johnson
2005 C250WB Hull 793

jmorrical
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2024 : 10:39:24

Russ,
Do you know what material forms the core of the transom? I wonder if the fiber glass is laid up over a marine plywood core. As I mentioned I have found a very small 3 inch crack, inside only, in the transom. A trail of reddish brown stain imitating from this tiny crack ends up in a puddle in the aft berth. I will replace the thru hull rubber boot for Edson helm steering mechanism. I'll also clean up and caulk all the thru hull fittings at the transom once I can get the boat out of the water.

I have had to replace the aft bulkhead (marine plywood) because of this long term unresolved leak. Over time that leak cause the lower edge of that bulkhead to rot and break down. That break down leached a reddish brown tone the same color also. This is what makes me worry the transom has been compromised by water seeping into the core of the transom.

Jim Morrical
Trilogy III
250WK #401

Edited by - jmorrical on 11/12/2024 10:41:09

Little Wind
Deckhand

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USA
20 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2024 : 13:42:01

My Sunbrella full companionway cover, even when in good shape, would allow water to pool on top of the hatch and that water would eventually leak down inside and travel to the back and rear of the aft berth. That area commonly collects water (as far as WB models go) due to the pedestal steering weight, the weight of the outboard, and the weight of any fuel tank you have. Look at your waterline paint (if you have it) and you can probably see how the bow is raised in relation to the stern.
My solution was to put a small bumper between the hatch and the cover. That allowed the water to run off the fabric and not collect over time. It worked just fine and my berth was dry. After my Sunbrella cover deteriorated and I removed it, I now continue to get water in the aft berth.
If you have a cover, try putting something under it to get a pitch to the cover. If you don't have a cover, I would say that is your leaking area.

Mark
Little Wind
1996 C250WB #206

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.