Where does the Water Come From?

otf · Post by **otf** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:42 am

The rear cabin bulkhead has from what I have read, the typical rot in the bottom 6". Under the gunwhale it is baddly rotten, and there is almost a stream of water there in a heavy rain. In the cabin a little water and much of it runs into the engine room. I can't get my head in anywhere to see exactly where it comes from. Two possibilities; First around the window frame towards the back. Second, from the flybridge, I assume where it is screwed to the cabin top. Does anybody have any experience here? I already re-bedded the aluminum plate with the name on it with no success.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:40 am

Scott... Send me an email with your phone number and we can talk. I have all the interior of the main cabin in my boat removed at the moment and have had to chase down a couple of leaks myself. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com The weak will inherit only whatever the strong are willing to let them have! "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Cummins 6Bs - 315HP Wilmington, NC

otf · Post by **otf** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:49 pm

Frank, Thanks for the offer. I've been working on it almost everyday. Doing a lot of mechnaical, but of course the leaks get to me. I think I have found the most of it. Unfortunatly it's so darn cold they can't be fixed yet (and ice doesn't leak!

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:35 pm

Scott, The reason the bottom of the bulkhead is rotten is because the bulkhead sits in a trough where the bulkhead meets the cabin floor. On mine, there was a piece of teak trim that sat on the outside of the bulkhead. It wasn't bonded very well to the outside of the bulkhead and water would run down between the trim and the bulkhead. This standing water wicked up into the bottom of the bulkhead. I cut out the bottom 6 inches on either side of the door and spliced in new 3/4 inch marine plywood. I cut all the way through the original masonite. I then replaced the original teak trim with new fiberglass pieces that went a couple of inches above where I spliced in the new pieces. These new fiberglass pieces were epoxied to both the new plywood and the original masonite. Finally, Frank Price came down and sprayed the entire bulkhead. It looks fantastic. No one would know its not original. Just so the guys here who really no me don't bust my balls, when I say "me", I mean my brother. I'm a white collar all the way. Knock on wood, this seems to be the only place I had water coming in.