1989 340EC Water Intrusion

[tmal2]

Hi All, I've got a 1989 Searay 340 EC. I'm getting water stains in 2 places in heavy rains. The first spot is right above the galley. My headliner is showing signs of water intrusion. My horn is right above that spot but I have resealed that already without any help. I have also resealed the windshield screws.

The second spot is in the forward closet on the port side. I've completely removed the entire post side window and resealed that also.

I know these 2 spots were very common leak spots on these boats but I have not been able to find the source. Has anyone else had this same problem and found a cure?

Thanks

 

[BoatPIB]

I have the same boat and hopefully fixed the port side closet leak today. I believe it was loose screws on the front of the long window, along with the caulking on the outside that was cracked. I through bolted the front three screws due to the window curving there and re caulked the outside.
If you remove the panel above the closet, you can run water over the window to check. If it's the window, you may see some water on the top of the closet before it runs down into the closet. Were any of the screws stripped when you put them back in? Also, check the glazing where the window attaches to the frame.

I also had a wet closet a few years ago and found out it was leaking behind the rubrail. I removed that section and used lifecaulk on the deck to hull joint and siliconed the screws back in, then ran a small bead above and below the rubrail. That cured that one. To check it, make sure the closet is dry and run water on and under the rubrail. Give it awhile to soak in. If it stays dry, then check the side window since it is above the rubrail.

The leak above the galley could be a hard one to find. I replaced that part of the deck because it was soft and also removed the windshield (lifted it up a few inches) and re sealed it. It appeared to me that it was leaking from the windshield, and coming in where the windshield wiper or horn wires came through the deck. So it was dry near the windshield and the water drained toward the starboard side and came through the hole staining headliner in the starboard corner. Also check the metal grab rails on the bow. They are through bolted. Since they follow the "curve" of the bow, the last bolt will leak near the windshield. I was able to measure and cut the stitching on the headliner and reseal them. It was right under where the headliner was stitched together.

 

[tmal2]

quote:

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Originally posted by BoatPIB

I have the same boat and hopefully fixed the port side closet leak today. I believe it was loose screws on the front of the long window, along with the caulking on the outside that was cracked. I through bolted the front three screws due to the window curving there and re caulked the outside.
If you remove the panel above the closet, you can run water over the window to check. If it's the window, you may see some water on the top of the closet before it runs down into the closet. Were any of the screws stripped when you put them back in? Also, check the glazing where the window attaches to the frame.

I also had a wet closet a few years ago and found out it was leaking behind the rubrail. I removed that section and used lifecaulk on the deck to hull joint and siliconed the screws back in, then ran a small bead above and below the rubrail. That cured that one. To check it, make sure the closet is dry and run water on and under the rubrail. Give it awhile to soak in. If it stays dry, then check the side window since it is above the rubrail.

The leak above the galley could be a hard one to find. I replaced that part of the deck because it was soft and also removed the windshield (lifted it up a few inches) and re sealed it. It appeared to me that it was leaking from the windshield, and coming in where the windshield wiper or horn wires came through the deck. So it was dry near the windshield and the water drained toward the starboard side and came through the hole staining headliner in the starboard corner. Also check the metal grab rails on the bow. They are through bolted. Since they follow the "curve" of the bow, the last bolt will leak near the windshield. I was able to measure and cut the stitching on the headliner and reseal them. It was right under where the headliner was stitched together.

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Thanks for the advice. I'll look into those things.
Please keep me updated on how well your latest fixes worked.