WET CABIN FLOOR AFTER IT RAINS?

[Steve255AJ]

Okay, so I'm new here and just acquired a 1985 255 Amberjack in August.
It needed a lot of TLC when I got her but I got it so cheap ($3500) I took a chance and I'm glad I did because it's been better than expected. Cleaned up great and runs perfect, all electrical systems work perfectly (which surprised me) and I've had it in Lake Keowee 5 times so far.
Some small issues I've been taking care of with great success BUT one item I've been working on I have only had limited success. Water leaks, so much fun, resealed the starboard rub rail (that fixed some leaks), resealed the horn and horn wiring harness (that fixed still more leaks), resealed the running light fixtures wiring holes (fixed still more leaks), resealed the hatch supports (fixed that leak). Every time it rains the cabin floor is soaked, the step down pump is brand new and works perfectly, the water is NOT over flowing from the step down pump area, it seems to be coming out from under / behind the head area and draining onto the floor of the cabin just forward of the step down bilge area. This is causing the cabin floor to get wet and the water drips into the step down bilge and then gets sucked out by the pump when enough gets in there. There are NO visible leaks anywhere now, I go in the cabin when it's raining and I can't see any water dripping anywhere, I've fixed all the leaks I could see, SO, where is this water coming from??? How is it getting on the floor???
Does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, how did you resolve it? Any help / ideas would be appreciated, I really want to get this boat back as close to 100% for next season.

 

[Pirate Lady]

There is another fella dealing with a frustrating rain water leak, Freddie?, in that thread someone mentioned stanchions, you didn’t, try those.

 

[Pirate Lady]

See General Discussion/ Rainwater leaking in hull thread.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Do you have a window in the head? Water can leak down between the head wall and the outer hull, then underneath the head floor. I don't know whether or not your boat has a fiberglass head or just carpet glued to the hull side.

FYI, later models had a carpeted section below the head door that was removable by finding the screws imbedded in the carpet. Again, I don't know your boat well enough to say if you have that, but that would give you some better access.

By the way, when you sealed the rubrail... did you remove both the insert and the vinyl part that's against the hull?

 

[Pirate Lady]

Man, LD, i gotta tell ya, I got a good one. I read so many water leak problems on here. 30yo and mine is bone dry, no leaks, no drips, SR workers must have been sober that day.

 

[Steve255AJ]

Thanks for your responses,
I will reseal the stanchions and see if it helps.
There is an area between the outer hull and the head inner wall behind the toilet. I looked in there and there is a small amount of water coming in at the very back corner under the instruments area. I'll take that apart this weekend and see if I can find the source.
Didn't take out the vinyl from rub rail, didn't want to take a chance of it not going back in. I sealed the top edge with clear silicone and any other gaps I could see. It made a big difference, it totally stopped the leaks in the V berth along the edge near the windows.
I'll also check out the other thread.
Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Didn't take out the vinyl from rub rail, didn't want to take a chance of it not going back in. I sealed the top edge with clear silicone and any other gaps I could see. It made a big difference, it totally stopped the leaks in the V berth along the edge near the windows..

So, just a quick side note on that... the top edge should NOT have to be sealed to keep water out. That area was never meant for that purpose. The "sealing" happens underneath the rubrail - both where the two halves of the boat are put together and all of the screw holes. That's where the actual leak is - those areas have just given way over time - pretty normal for a boat that's nearly 40 years old. Technically speaking, you put a band-aid on it You'll just have to keep applying that band-aid...

 

[importmonkey]

^^^^^
This isn't THAT big of a job, to be honest. Certainly a chore, and I felt overwhelmed when I started...but not terrible.

These pics may help.

 

[Woody]

Check your windshield mount screws at the base of the windshield. I don't know what your boat looks like but on many they are behind a rubber insert cover that can be removed and re-installed. Remove and re-tighten and use sealant on each screw.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Check your windshield mount screws at the base of the windshield. I don't know what your boat looks like but on many they are behind a rubber insert cover that can be removed and re-installed. Remove and re-tighten and use sealant on each screw.

Additionally, new “screw covers” as the vinyl windshield insert are referred to can be ordered from tailor made. Match the shape and size of the existing screw covers and match to the drawings on their site.

 

[Steve255AJ]

Okay, thanks for all the tips. I have the instrument panel all apart right now and the panels off on the inside of the head compartment. I did find some water in there and a gap where I think some is getting in when it rains. It seems to be dripping in and getting into the channel between the side window and the helm area. It runs back to and drips into the cockpit BUT there is this gap in the trim where some water is leaking in UNDER the instruments and then down through the screw holes into the head wall area. I am in the process of filling this gap with a wall of clear silicone. Once I have this gap filled I'll seal everything as I put it back together and then see if there is any change when it rains. I'm pretty sure this is at least PART of the problem. Unfortunately, I have to go to Florida for a long weekend and won't be working on the boat again until Tuesday....I'd rather stay home but I have to get my rental property ready for the winter rentals.
I'll check the windshield mounts but I don't have any water leaking along that edge underneath in the cabin.
I know I just put a band aid on the rub rail leaks and I probably will properly address the issue later if it comes up but I can tell you for sure re sealing that edge stopped several leaks in the V berth and slowed down the water coming in under the head area.
Thanks again for everyone's advise, it has been a great help. I'm glad I found this site!

 

[nelson Gay]

Man, LD, i gotta tell ya, I got a good one. I read so many water leak problems on here. 30yo and mine is bone dry, no leaks, no drips, SR workers must have been sober that day.

mine is leak proof too knock on wood unless my brother leaves the mid-cabin window open

 

[Steve255AJ]

UPDATE.
I finished resealing the dash and instruments area, I sealed along the top of the dash area and under the instruments inside the head where the access area is. put everything back together and waited for a rain storm. Yesterday Oct. 28th, it poured all day here, I was at work.
Got home and went up in the boat to check for water in the cabin,......NOT A DROP! Bone dry.
Needless to say I'm pretty happy about that. Leak was definitely coming through the dash area and then going through the area behind the instruments, down the wall in the head and then under the floor into the cabin floor.
I'm glad that's fixed, real aggravating to have water in the cabin floor all the time.
Thanks for everyone's help and advise.