rainwater ingress

[Brian-Up-North]

Hi,
We had a storm where we got a couple inches of really intense pounding rain in a few hours.
When I went and checked on my x, I discovered some water in the bilge on both sides.
I have never had any water from rain before come in.

Where should I check for potential leaks? deck hardware? Leaking window seal? Pedestal? Anywhere else it could come in?

Thanks
Brian

[Be Free]

Chainplates are a high probability spot to check.

[Carioca]

We re and had to pull all deck hardware and re-bed to stop leaking, now there is 1 front window leaking on our 98' X. I used butyl caulking.

[Brian-Up-North]

did you put butyl tape under all the deck plates, or butyl in a caulking gun?

[Be Free]

Other spots to check are any connections for lights, antennas, or anything else that come through the cabin top. The factory steaming light connector was held in with some pretty wimpy wood screws directly into the fiberglass. If they pull up or if the gasket is cracked it is a great place to get water inside when it rains. The water runs between the cabin top and the liner and usually comes out of a light fixture or one of the plugs that cover the access holes in the liner but if it makes it all the way to the side it will show up in the bilge and will look a lot like a leaking chain plate.

All of the bilge areas are connected under the deck so where you find the water in the bilge is not usually indicative of where the water is coming from. Was anything else wet inside (table, counters, cushions...)?

[Dougiestyle]

What i did to locate leaks from the topside.


1. Raise the bow, so all water runs towards the transom.
2. Pour water on all fittings on the transom, isolating the transom from the rest of the boat. Do this several times to verify any leaks in the transom
area. Remember you are trying isolate the leaks to a specific area or fitting - dont put water anywhere else on the boat at this time. Motor well is a
biggie due to the old hose under it, all bolts, screws etc.
3. When done with the transom move up the boat (Fuel cubby's - mine leaked) then do the pedestal area (maybe simulate a downpour in this area.
4. Now move up the boat to more areas (companionway, sliding hatch, chainplates and any fitting.
5. Continue this method until you have covered the rest of the boat.

Here is a video of just 1 of several I found: MacGregor sorry about pour video but you get the concern.

[ChicagoMc26]

Thanks for all the information on this post. I just bought a 2012 Mac26 and after a great day of sailing yesterday, went down to the cabin and discovered a fairly wet cabin floor, inside the sliding galley (I think it went down the sink and through the hole - since the tube was removed) - and a lot of wetness at the base of the wall carpet. There was a little in the bilge, but I was thinking that a heavy rain leaked water from the deck into the ceiling space, and then when the boat was heeling and bouncing, that water just worked its way from the ceiling - to as you all mentioned - to the first available exit.
Your responses pretty much confirmed my belief in that it is probably some deck fitting. Since it hit the floor in the center of the boat, and not only down the sides, I'll probably start with the fittings down the center (anchor light, etc.) - unless anyone has found more obvious culprits?
Here in Chicago it is almost time to pull her out - so I'll have a bit of time to get this done.

[Gotro]

I have the same problem on my 1995 26 x. Two years ago I caulk the top side of the rub rail and that helped a lot , now it need to be done again . Mine is leaking in at leased 6 other areas . Ahhh got to love boat ownership. What else do you have to do. Best thing about our boats is mine is in the driveway easier than going to the dock to work on it. Good luck

[Gotro]

Holy wetlands Batman I would guess that is 5 or 6 gallons of rainwater accumulation in my bilge. We just received 6 inches over 3 days hear in Houston. Going to caulk that rub rail tomorrow. I have had a tarp over the boat but it deteriorated over this summer, oh well it’s only money , will have to get a new one. This is the first week where the temperature is tolerable to work on the boat again, we had 115 feels like temperature sense 1 st of June down here . I am ready to get in the water again , our season runs till 1 st of January then it gets to cold till mid march

[DaveC426913]

Something easy you can do whether or not it appears to be the culprit:

Run a bead of clear silicon seal along top and bottom of the rub-rail from pointy-end to blunt-end.

I had an exasperatingly elusive chronic leak for years, with a gallon or two piling up - not just with rain but with sailing. I could never locate the problem.

Finally, I ran a bead of seal along the entire rub-rail. Bilge has been bone-dry ever since.

It costs you virtually nothing and has no downside.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

Chainplates are a high probability spot to check.

[Gotro]

Thanks for advising to caulk the under side I would not have thought of that.. got it all done