water leak - 26S

[MacRookie]

Hi,

I find once or twice a year some water under the rear bunk in the moulded storage areas. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this. The interesting thing is there doesn't seem to be a source. The wooden lids are dry, and there is no water pooled, dripping, or running nearby. The only through hulls are the depth sounder, and speedo whiz wheel, but the bilge is generally very dry. The boat (1994 Mac 26S) lives on a mooring 6 months a year, and is stock as fas as I know.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
John

[petebrayton]

Sounds to me like it could be condensation occuring on the undersides of the cushions and collecting in the storage areas. On the other hand, do you see any streaks on the hull liner of the aft berth? If so, I think that would be due to leaks around the hull to deck joint. Just my 2 cents.

[cruiser]

Hi John,
Have a look at this recent thread, on the same issue, from the MacGregor Owners site: http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners. ... p?t=157684

[Saxacussionist]

Hi Mac Rookie,

Have you spent the night in your boat during a heavy downpour? I was experiencing the same problem, I couldn't find a leak anywhere. Finally, one night we were sleeping on the boat and not long after it began raining, we heard it.... Somehow the water was leaking through the interior ladder bolt hole and dropping directly on the fiberglass, leaving no telltale signs except the pooling in one of the storage areas... Problem solved!

[MacRookie]

Hi everyone - thanks for the info. Couple of good leads.

Cheers,
John

[finding41]

Hi Mac Rookie,

Have you spent the night in your boat during a heavy downpour? I was experiencing the same problem, I couldn't find a leak anywhere. Finally, one night we were sleeping on the boat and not long after it began raining, we heard it.... Somehow the water was leaking through the interior ladder bolt hole and dropping directly on the fiberglass, leaving no telltale signs except the pooling in one of the storage areas... Problem solved!

Not just the ladder bolts but the bolt that the main sheet attaches leaks too.
I use Butyl tape to re-bed all the bolts on the topside. No more leaks! Search the macgregorowners.com site for butyl tape.
Good luck

[Madelon]

John: Similar symptom. Turned out to be the chainplates. Rain or heeling strong resulted in water in the bilges. Sealed the chainplates and have now a very dry boat:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1628

Good luck, Albert

[paulkayak]

My 26S always seems to get water in the bilge and we have water marks inside close to the shroud chainplates. To attempt to cure this leak I made the suggested covers for the shroud chainplates. I made some modifications to the design and good thing too because I ran into a problem putting the screws in. I found a sheet of stainless steel. Well actualy I liberated a piece from our stainless steel BBQ. It is not the best stainless it is attracted to a magnet so it must have some iron. I only sail in fresh water so it should be ok. It is from a non structural area that she will never see anyway. I bent the edges over so it cups the marine silicone inside. I pre threaded the screws to make sure I would not have a problem when everything was covered in silicon. But when I did have the silicone on, it must have lubricated the rivets because when I tried to drive the screws in again the rivets just turned and I could only drive one of the 4 in. Once the silicone cures I think it will glue the cover to the deck and because there are no edges to catch, it should stay. I hope! If not, back to the old drawing board!
I'd post pics but IPad will not let me.

[mastreb]

First things first: Taste it. Is it fresh or saltwater? If it's salt, it's a leak below the waterline and if its fresh its rain water or condensation. Two entirely different troubleshooting paths.