Ingress at rubrail

[Jimmyt]

I bought two toobs of Marine Sealant. That's 90 bucks I won't get back.

Cool. What did you buy (or was that all the packaging said)? At $90 for two tubes, it doesn't sound temporary, or easy to remove.

[DaveC426913]

Cool. What did you buy (or was that all the packaging said)? At $90 for two tubes, it doesn't sound temporary, or easy to remove.

Specs:
https://www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/p/d/b40066965/

[Jimmyt]

Thanks!

[DaveC426913]

OK, so that's done. Hopefully no more bilge water.

BTW, it took 1 1/2 tubes to do both sides, top and bottom.

[DaveC426913]

Update: After the latest day-trip I've got 2 inches of lake in the cabin bottom - more than I've ever had.

So I have come to the inevitable conclusion that the seam under the rubrail is actually to let water out, and by sealing it up I've prevented it from escaping.

[Jimmyt]

Update: After the latest day-trip I've got 2 inches of lake in the cabin bottom - more than I've ever had.

So I have come to the inevitable conclusion that the seam under the rubrail is actually to let water out, and by sealing it up I've prevented it from escaping.

So, you're heeling the boat over to the point that your rub rail is submerged? You say you have lake water in the bilge. I don't see how you conclude that it would be draining out under the rub rail.

Are you sure you don't have a thru-hull, hose, or other penetration that's leaking?

I'd be tempted to baby powder or chalk the inside of the hull to try and figure out where the water is coming from. It would be good to pull all of the cushions and access panels out and get a buddy to go sailing with you. One of you could sail while the other hunts leaks.

If you are seeing lake water, and you're getting it through the hull/deck joint, I'm going to be surprised. Rainwater, maybe; but lake water? That is some aggressive heeling.

Have you checked your head sink thru-hull, hose, connections?

Swing keel trunk area is another spot I'd look.

[NiceAft]

Are you certain that the sole ingress is the rub rail. Just because it’s beat up, does not mean it is the only source for water to enter.

It is not unusual for older Mac’s to have water in the bilge. The sources for ingress is not a short list .

P.S. I now see that Jimmy and I were Punching out similar replies at the same time.

[DaveC426913]

I don't see how you conclude that it would be draining out under the rub rail.

Nah, I was just joking.

[DaveC426913]

Are you certain that the sole ingress is the rub rail.

Whatever I thought before, I'd say that theory has now been conclusively debunked.


And, of course, events conspired to confound analysis. This occurred on the same day that:

• I did a little bit of deck cleaning with soap, a brush and a garden hose.
• It rained.
• We hit a puff that pushed us over to about 35 degrees and held us there for about 20 minutes.

So, there's a gamut of possibilities for ingress this time.


Now, I gotta say, when I pumped out the bilge, there was a little bit of suds in it, so at least some of the ingress surely came from my deck cleaning. Probably the forward hatch seal.

[Jimmyt]

I don't see how you conclude that it would be draining out under the rub rail.

Nah, I was just joking.

That's the problem with this format... We need a sarcasm font. Excellent!

[Jimmyt]

Does the 26X have an anchor locker drain? If so, have you checked that for leaks?

[Be Free]

Does the 26X have an anchor locker drain? If so, have you checked that for leaks?

Yes, on the starboard bow. I'm pretty sure any leak in the drain would leave a wet spot on the v-berth.

[DaveC426913]

Does the 26X have an anchor locker drain? If so, have you checked that for leaks?

Not in several years, when I first had leak problems. It was bone dry then.
It might have sprung a leak since, and perhaps contributing, but it won't be the sole source.

[DaveC426913]

Are you sure you don't have a thru-hull, hose, or other penetration that's leaking?

Thru hull for sink, but I've checked it before. I'll check it again.

I'd be tempted to baby powder or chalk the inside of the hull to try and figure out where the water is coming from. It would be good to pull all of the cushions and access panels out and get a buddy to go sailing with you. One of you could sail while the other hunts leaks.

Yeah, this. I'll get my bro/2nd-mate to sail while I check. (Much as he loves sailing and racing, my bro's got a bum tummy, and has to keep his eyes on the horizon. Poor guy. How does he even go on living?)

Swing keel trunk area is another spot I'd look.

Oh dear. How the heck do I check this?