leak when it rains

[mustang49]

I have a 1999x and I am having the same problem. I have been putting a tarp over the boat in different spots when it rains, and the leak seems to be from somewhere in the stern. still not pinned it down yet. i am checking for a crackin the gas tank storage area today or tomorrow.

[deadbat]

I found mine. It was comming through where the steering cable penetrates near the transom. There are 2 layers of fiberglass there and the water was comming in between them, then filling up enouch to leak out of a the same spot on both sides of the drain bowl in front of the motor. It then traveled down the visible fiberglas panel at the aft of the lower berth and dripped in from there. Hope this helps.

[Andy26M]

Tom,

On your 26M leak: Is it right below the area on the side where the two pieces of the liner overlap? My 26M leaked there on both sides and it drove me crazy for a while until I sat inside the boat in a rainstorm and tracked it. Using the garden hose never worked because I assumed (we all know what that makes) that the leak was nearby to where I was seeing the water - not. It turns out that the leaks were actually well forward of there at the chainplates - the water dripped in and landed in that little channel where the liner turns under to make a finished edge along the bottom, ran aft along it like a gutter on the house, and found it's way out at that spot where the liner is seamed.

Rather than going through the hassle of removing and re-bedding the chainplates I just ran a bead of caulk all around them on the top and that stopped the leaks. gotta check it every now and then, though, to make sure it doesn't weather away.

Andy

[c130king]

Andy,

I had leaks in the same place. Based on guidance/feedback/advice I got from this website I used clear silicone sealant around the base of the chain-plate. Cheap stuff from Walmart. Squeezed out a bead around the chain-plate and then used my finger to smooth it down.

But now I think it is either leaking again or I got some new leak. Always seem to have a little water in my battery compartment...never more than a few ounces but it is almost always wet if there has been any rain. Maybe I will give my chain-plates a new bead...it has been over 4 years.

Cheers,
Jim

[mika]

Seeing how pervasive these cabin leaks are is very disconcerting for this new "M" owner.
I haven't even had my brand-new M in the water yet and already had soaked cabin cushions!! Sounds like there's a multitude of places where the water can find it's way in!

For a varierty of reasons I was wondering about stretching a tarp above the cabin (aft of mast) and companionway when the boat is not in use, secured by bungee cords. Other than the work involved, any downside to that? Will it stay secured or will the wind play havok with such a tarp? I realize that would not prevent sepage coming from elsewhere.

Maybe we should all sustain this thread until we arrive at a checklist of all sources of these leaks so one can systematically go about identifying the source of their leak and eliminate it?

[Ixneigh]

So far i have had a few really good rains and the only leak i had was the mast light socket. So i guess i got lucky in that respect. I might still seal around all the outside fittings with white boatlife thought just to be safe.

[Ponk]

I am a new owner of a 99 Mac X and I have been getting a rain water leak on the fiberglas panel, just forward of the transom. The leak seems to be comming from a spot through the fiberglas layers on both sides of the aft collection/drainage bowl. The leak spot is black and runs down the backside of the panel, collects in the channel formed into the bottom of the panel and drips into the aft berth. I have a pic that I would email anyone willing to take a look.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I have the same leak on my 98X. The panel immediately in front of my transom seems to be pressboard with a fabric over top and it is always wet the bottom. The water also seems collect on the cabin roof at the aft berth. Just in front of the transom is a curved ridge and drips down from there and then runs to the center of the aft berth and pools. I initially thought (and hoped) it may be condensation from the bildge water comming from my dinnette light fixture leak (yeah, i got that one too) but you're making me think is related to the transom. I just got new interior seat and berth cushions done so I am not excited about leaving them there until I figure this out. I would like to see the pics please.

I will be pulling the pressboard off to see whats behind it. I share those pics if they'll help.
Let me know.

[deadbat]

Give me an email address and I will send you my pics. I have not had any luck posting pics on this site.

[Catigale]

You need to cross the 10 post threshold before pic posting is allowed, so we know you aren't a deadbeat...

This cuts down on porn posts like pictures of J boats.