Checking for trapped water 06 240 sundancer

[aerobat77]

Hello gents , last season i had some issues with a wet cabin floor which seemed to be related to a leaky water tank connection hose. Before next season i would like to have a visual below the false floors in the cabin to the real v shaped hull bottom but i struggle how. How can i access the lower space betwenn the vee berths ( where the table leg connects to the floor ) ?

Thanks for any help !

 

[Jandcinok]

Is there any access at all that you could get one of those remote cameras into? Theyre reasonably priced nowadays. I bought one at Harbor Freight on sale, works pretty darned well.

 

[aerobat77]

Is there any access at all that you could get one of those remote cameras into?

Thsts the interesting questoon... there is no inspection hatch or similar.

 

[Lazy Daze]

That area should be completely sealed. Unless you find a physical crack somewhere, there should be no water intrusion. The easiest access, though, if you wanted to, would be to remove the table floor mount. I'm not sure how much you'd be able to see - there could be quite a bit of foam in there (I honestly don't know how much foam, if any, is in that particular area). You could cut a hole in the forward wall of the step down pump area (I believe this area, in your boat, does not have a false floor). But be sure to seal it up permanently again, afterward. If you cut that hole at the very bottom of the forward wall, just get the bow elevated and if any water is in the area you're worried about, it should drain right out.

 

[aerobat77]

The easiest access, though, if you wanted to, would be to remove the table floor mount. I'm not sure how much you'd be able to see - there could be quite a bit of foam in there (I honestly don't know how much foam, if any, is in that particular area). You could cut a hole in the forward wall of the step down pump area (I believe this area, in your boat, does not have a false floor).

the table floor mount gives a hole to the real bottom of the hull ? i thought about it but since its carpeted with a glued in carpet i struggled to cut and open it. searay put foam an a 24 foot boat ? the step down shower pump area has a false floor for sure - its a flat area where the pump sits since the hull is vee. the forward wall to this area is the space i want too look it . i,m interested what i can see if i remove the table floor mount on my 240 sundancer.

 

[Lazy Daze]

It's been years since I've removed a table mount - I don't recall if it'll give you a straight view or whether the bottom of the "hole" is open. But it's at least an area that you don't have to worry about fixing "pretty" afterwards if there is a bottom to the hole. You can always re-glue the carpet - just cut it with a sharp blade and it will be barely noticeable. Or, cut around the perimeter of the mount and remove that circular piece of carpet all together. IF glue was used on top of the mount, it might be hard to remove (aesthetics) from the aluminum - but replacing (or sanding smooth/painting) the mount is an option.

That step down area may have a flat floor, but it's awful close to the V. A horizontal hole through the forward wall should still work. I haven't done this before, but it seems to make sense. Personally, I wouldn't even worry about checking for water, but if was going to check I would drill the hole as opposed to removing the table mount.

 

[aerobat77]

Thanks much for your hints ! I think i will try the table mount.

Last season i had like said a wet carpet on the lowest step in the cabin , i found out that it happend only when underway and the water tank was full so i disassembled the front cushions to get access to the tank. I found standing water in the very forward bulkhead and a leaky tank fill hose . Theoretically its an enclosed area but in reality obviously the water makes its way back to the entry step . The area we are talking about with the table mount is between the bulkhead with the watertank and the entry step.

Further my 240 sits backboard an inch or so lower at the dock with nobody on Board. This might or might not be related to my setup with batteries on the bb side as well a 230-115 volt converter installed also bb ( to use the european 230 volt dock Power with 115 volt on Board consumers like battery charger, water heater , microwave ) . I plan to move the batteries to the starboard side , but i need to check also if i have hidden water somewhere.

 

[Lazy Daze]

When I was referring to "sealed area", I was referring the "cavity" under the false floor. The other areas (under the v-berth) should eventually drain. If you find foam between you and the bottom (V) of the boat... I suppose it goes without saying, but just drill/remove some foam to get to the bottom. Then lower the bow so IF there is any water, it will collect where you have the hole. If nothing collects after a day or two, you're good.

I'm unfamiliar with the term "backboard", but I assume you are referring to either the port or starboard side (left or right). It's not uncommon for small cruisers to list a bit. Gear placement and things such as various tanks being full or empty can easily affect that. It becomes less prominent as the boats get bigger/wider.