Moisture in cockpit floor

[boblin]

Found some moisture in cockpit floor. It is solid at the hatch (18" away) and surprisingly solid at the pedestal (12"away) there is a spot right in the middle that is showing moisture and sounding little hollow. The deck itself feels very solid under foot. Any ideas where I might start looking?

Thanks

Bob

[Stu Jackson]

I'd start at the pedestal foot guards, seems the only place water could get in.

[Ron Hill]

Bob : You didn't mention if you have a standard transom or walkthrough. 
If you have a standard you might also examine the cockpit scupper inlets.

A thought

[KWKloeber]

Found some moisture in cockpit floor. It is solid at the hatch (18" away) and surprisingly solid at the pedestal (12"away) there is a spot right in the middle that is showing moisture and sounding little hollow. The deck itself feels very solid under foot. Any ideas where I might start looking?

Thanks

Bob

My pedestal thru bolts were leaking -- I sealed the flange with butyl and the Q berth has been dry for 20 years. 

So I would start with any thru bolt -  water could have found and travelled a small (narrow) void, and then started eating away at the core downstream.  If it's extensive you can remove/repair/replace from below.  Even one small leak can end up with extensive core damage if not checked in time.  I'm just into repairing a 10" x 10" section of core (from below) on a J/120 that had rotted due to a leaking line clutch thru fastener. 

It REALLY pays off in the long to take every thru fastener and epoxy seal the holes/core correctly and rebed with butyl, countersunk into the hole.  JTSO.

Ken

[boblin]

Well I guess I will remove pedestal and guards next spring and re-bed for starters. How difficult is it to remove pedestal?

Thanks

Bob

[KWKloeber]

Well I guess I will remove pedestal and guards next spring and re-bed for starters. How difficult is it to remove pedestal?

Thanks

Bob

Submit the 1st will be to probe fastener holes for water damage, not to 1st rebed.

k