MacGregorSailors.com

Hi,

I need recommendations for a mod. As much as I have tried, I can't get rid of leaks in the aft birth. They come from multiple places and while none are severe, I've had the cushions out for two seasons because they trap the water against the plastic floor and mold severely. I don't want to try to fix the leaks anymore and I want to have my cushions back without losing access to the access hatches in the floor or make the cushions unusable for lying down.

So I was thinking about some way to get the cushions raised up off the floor to allow the leaks to more easily channel into the bilge without being trapped by the cushions. I also want to implement the easiest solution. I've thought about constructing a low profile PVC pipe framework that the cushions rest on but that doesn't seem practical. I've thought about layering some sort of non-aborbing mat that allows water to pass through it...something like a mesh material but I can't identify such a material.

Your solutions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

A tarp over the boat to keep the rain off.

That's a tough one. Ideally finding the leaks is the way to go. Can you see where it's dripping down from? The problem with water is the leak can often be in a totally different place from where it's entering.
If you can at least rig up a catch system, like a bucket, maybe you can channel the water to where you want it to end up. Maybe some channel that would bring the drips down to a hole where you can direct it to a basin.

Most of my leaks come from waves splashing on the sturn and comming in around the stearing rod going thru the hull and around the motor controls and wet rutter ropes going thru. Luckly we live in the desert and the humidity runs low and the origional moisture in our boat is gone. I use X14 mildue and stain remover like for tub in the bath room to get rid of mold (it turns it white and dead) .

I get leaks too, just from sitting in my driveway. It was not so bad during the winter with a tarp over it, but now uncovered and prepping for spring commisioning the rain water is getting in again. Mine finds its' way down into the biges where I can remove it with no damage but it is annoying. As a temporary fix to put under your cushions (can't imagine how it gets there) you can buy those inter-locking 1 square foot plastic grate mats, I used them in my cockpit for a while then took them out. They are flat, sit about a 1/4" off the floor, enough to put an air space between the cushions and seat or carpet and floor and keep water from absorbing. I think they are for patio decks or something, but people do use them in there boats to keep the cockpit sole clean (doesn't work though).

The Froli mattress is not a cheap fix, but very worthwhile (est $250).
I've installed it at my vberth, and it makes for amazing comfort ...
even with my ten-yr-old factory cushions --- really amazing!
The website includes an installation video and a reprint of Practical Sailor's review.

Problem is, you'll still have wet cushions!

Chris
You can get anti mould/moisture mats to place between the floor and the cushions or mattress but you are obviously not talking about dampness it's actually wet.
I think you really have to find the leaks even if it means stripping the boat down and walking round on top with a hose while somebody else watches.
I have no idea why, but we haven't had a serious leak as such YET I filled the bilge by siphoning water back in the outlet line and had spillages from tanks but am amazed that we haven't had moisture problems.
For the antimould mats try RV suppliers but would have thought marine stores would have something.
Could be going to the Caravan Show in Melb so will so will look around and see whats available here.

Have you sealed around the bottom of the steering console??
My '98 was leaking there until I caulked it .
It can leak at the side overs too, the srews vibrate out often.

You may want to look at a system I saw at the boat show. The use bowed wooden slats that leaves and airspace under the mattress. They were quite comfortable.

you can Google

NEPTUNE MATTRESS SLAT SYSTEM
or
BEDFLEX

Aft leaks are usually in the control cable stove pipe sealing.

It is a plastic tube run through the deck under the binnacle. I just gooped around mine with caulking and problem solved!

I know exactly what ya'll are talking about. What I do (until I figure out how to permanently correct this), is to drape a damp rag over an around the steering bar where it enters the stern cabin area. This blocks out rainwater and also blocks water that you put there while washing the boat. I was suprised to learn that I had flooded the rear berth area and port side bilge channel with approximately a gallon of wash water! I have learned that this is my only leak area because over several weeks of rain the boat stays nice and dry inside with the rag blocking the access hole for the steering rod.

There is a pliable rubber ideal for making a seal for this area. It is the rubber diaphram used in welding torch regulators. Oddly it has an ability to pucker around a shaft tightly without loosing it's elasticity. Believe me I have tried all types of rubber including rubbers.

Big T

Have you looked at "spilt boots". They were used years ago to replace broken CV joint boots on front wheel drive cars without removing the axle. I would think you could slip one over the control rod and seal it up while still allowing flex.

I had a problem like this, and finally found that the water was coming in on the control cables form the outboard control. What I did was to slightly change the cable angle so it leaves the control, goes into the pedestal, runs all the way to the floor, then slightly up before entering the pass-through in the floor. No additional leaks since I did this, and nice dry aft berth.

I agree that it is the control cable area (and wires) which cause the most leak back there. Like Scott, I got some plain old silicone sealer and shot up the area right under the boot with sealer, then put the boot back on. Otherwise, water can make its way down the cables and drip out in all sorts of places in the aft berth. I also put electrical tape over the steering boot after I lube the rod about twice a year. Make sure that this boot is properly installed with the opening facing down before you tape it on.

The pedestal area should not leak since there is a pipe that sticks up a couple inches where all the control cables run through. Ie, you would need a couple inches of standing water on the cockpit sole for it to leak through there and this should not be possible with the open transom even if the drain clogs up. If you have any screws going through the sole (like for a grab bar for example), they should be bedded in silicone to prevent small leaks.

Dimitri
The bloke who installed our motor did a bodgy job and I had to seal all the cables (after tidying them up) but looking inside the pedastal any wires that get wet will act like a wick to take any water down to the aft berth, bypassing the raised pipe.
If any wires are touching the outer case of the pedastal water will transfer if it gets in the pedastal through the side plates etc, the raised pipe is a good idea but only for swamping water coming in from the cockpit IMO.

Like Ivan, I also found I had water running down the motor control cables from the control unit. They go through a large grommet, but because there are several, and they go through at an angle, the grommet can't seal properly.

I gooped Liquid Electric Tape (a couple of coats) where the whole bunch goes through the grommet, which has sealed it up nicely. Being black it doesn't show, even if you look closely it appears as if the whole thing is one vulcanised seal.

Cheers, Rick