V Berth Leak

[crimmins]

I own a 2003 Catalina 34. Recently I found bad rain leaks in the forward section of the V berth. They appear to be coming from the lower part of the windlass or in that general area. I covered the windlass with plastic to see if the rain was getting into the V berth through the windlass. This did not resolve the problem. I also checked all deck screws and found them tight/secure.

Any suggestions as to where the water is getting into the V berth?

Tim Crimmins

[Clay Greene]

There are a number of possibilities in that water can migrate over long distances.  You could do a hose test area by area to see if you can replicate the leak.  The problem there is that the leak may take a long time to develop.  If that does not help identify the problem and you are satisfied it is not the windlass, I would rebed the bow pulpit and the forward stanchions with butyl tape and see if that solves the problem. 

[Jim Hardesty]

Tim,
Try the windless switches (the water may follow the wires), the cleat, any where in the area and above where you see the leak.  I may be mistaken but I think that if the pulpit was leaking it would leak into the anchor locker.  The hose test is a good idea, start low and slowly work your way up.  It's best a 2 person job one with the hose one looking.  And, just because a stanchion is tight doesn't guarantee that it isn't leaking.
Just some thoughts.
Jim

[Paulus]

I had the same problem a few years  back.  On a very rainy day I crawled into the storage space in the v berth.  Water was dripping off two of the bolts on the support for the forestay and 2 of the bow pulpit.  I took them all out and used butyl tape on under all the hardware.  No problems.  It is a two man job.  

[KINGAIR350]

Tim,
Had the same problem,did what Paulus did and solved the problem.
Good Luck

[Roc]

Where exactly are you seeing water.  Overhead or inside in the bilge area under the bed?

[Momentum M]

Tim I had a similar problem a few years ago and posted this back then:  http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4467.0.html

Also I did find that the fresh water overflow ( in our ancor pit) was also dripping.  By putting this "shower curtain"...any water fore of it would go directly to the bilge.
Hope it helps

Serge