400 DB Water Leak in Hard Rain - Forward Head

[Nepenthe]

Hello -

I am hoping that another 400DB owner may have some experience and / or advice with regard to an occasional water leak that I am experiencing:

During exceptionally severe storms I am getting a small water intrusion in my forward head that accumulates on a wood "shelf" behind the medicine cabinet and exits through the exhaust vent and power outlet that are mounted horizontally beneath the cabinet. The water then drips onto the vanity by the sink. It is not a large volume of water, but I do not like leaks - especially given the fact that there is a power outlet involved!

There is an access panel on the left side of the medicine cabinet that has allowed me to confirm where the water is accumulating, but I have been unable to locate the source of the intrusion. This only happens during extreme storms with high winds (two or three times a summer). I have also been unable to duplicate this using a hose on the exterior of the boat.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any thoughts? Could wind be pushing rain into the exterior outlet for the power vent? Leaking porthole in the shower? Windshield or starboard sliding window fitting?

Thank you in advance for your help or thoughts.

 

[BillG72340]

Yes we had the same leak in the cabinet around the outlet. I assume the leak was from the oval port in the shower. After removing all three ports and repairing the core and resealing the leak has stopped. I've got pictures of the repair I will post when I get a chance. I had also resealed the windshield the same winter but I think the port was more likely the problem in the bathroom. You can remove the interior trim around your windshield and watch for leaks there.
Good luck.

Bill

 

[Nepenthe]

Bill,

Thank you very much for your reply! Based on other information I have read on this site I had planned on resealing the oval ports as preventative maintenance. Any pictures of the repair that you could share would be a great help. I truly like this boat and certainly do not want to see unnecessary damage that could have been prevented.

 

[Ray 40]

I had exactly the same problem. My solution was to pull the Port completely out - dry it out with a heat gun - dug out the rotted wood - filled with marine-tex (or similar)- bedded the port frame and opening w/ bedding compound- installed Port - removed squeezed out bedding compound. This solved the problem. I did wait a few days when first disassembled to allow it to air dry. Bud

 

[BillG72340]

Below are pics of my Bomar window repairs from a couple years ago. I did all three windows at the same time but only found leaks on the two above the rub rail.

This is the outer trim ring removed

You can see where the water was pooling and wicking into the core.

Then the wet core was removed and left to dry for several weeks.

Then I filled the void with West System Six 10 thickened epoxy. Good stuff!

Re-drilled mounting holes and re-bed inner frame. Then re-bed the outer ring and installed new Bomar screen kits.

 

[Nepenthe]

Thank you very much for the help and pictures. It looks like I found my next project!