Water leaking into master cabin - 53ED

[holtcl]

Another puzzle of "where is the water coming from?":

-1985 53 Extended Deck

-With vigorous washing or heavy rain, we are getting water in through the headliner in the master stateroom below the approximate area where the drain holes are located on the aft deck. Is happening on both sides.

-Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you fix it?

-Assuming there is a disconnect somewhere in that drain line that needs to be addressed.

Thanks in advance for any intel-

Cheryl & Howard

 

[SEVEN]

First check to see if the drains are clear. If clogged it can back up and leak at the connection. There is a possibility that the hoses are cracked from age. If so it’s a much bigger fix. Clean out the lines and then recheck.

 

[SeaEric]

Those drain hoses look like vacuum cleaner hose. They crack in between the ribs and leak like crazy. Silicone rescue tape for the quick fix. Replacement with better material for the permanent fix.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

You have to pull the headliner to get them. Some were copper, some plastic.

 

[dottieshusband]

Realizing that all these models are different, I had a similar leak on my 63. The deck drain on my back deck had the spiral reinforced vinyl hose, and it had split. On my model, the headliner stopped at the valence panel,, , and a removable plywood panel beyond that. Removing the valence and plywood panels reveals the underside of the drain and hose. A corner panel hides more of the hose. Then it runs behind the drawers, and to the trasome thru hull. Easy to replace....if you are a thin gynecologist!

 

[scottinsydney]

On my 1984 MY there is a leak from rear starboard rope cleat. Water is coming through the deck bolts when it rains.This is very close to the circular deck drain hose and may be worth checking. I’m too large to fit into the space, but a nimble 18 year old will be able to after removing cabinetry.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

On the 53ED it is not like a normal drain fitting with a hose going to a thru-hull. This is just a little tube through the side of the boat. It is only accessible if you drop the headliner. It looks like the deck was designed to drain out the back but it held water so Hatteras had to come up with something and this was the fix on that model.

 

[holtcl]

Thanks everyone for such helpful and detailed information-

Howard has developed a "Plan A" fix that he's going to try and if that doesn't work we go to "Plan B" which is to likely pull up headliner, however I'm weighing the invasiveness of that vs. installing an inspection port on the aft deck in the area where the drain hole begins.

More to come...

Cheryl

 

[SEVEN]

What’s plan A?

 

[scottinsydney]

Have you considered using a borescope? The ones I see have a small display video screen and a camera lens on the end of a bendy pole. The camera end can also have an LED light. This tool may help in not pulling headliners off to identify the source of the leak.

 

[holtcl]

Rather than pull headliner to replace the aft deck drain lines, this was what we did:

-Drains include a 5/8" brass tubing on both outer hull and inside deck side, that are bonded to the fiberglass.
-Check carefully to make sure the bonds are secure to the hull.
-If yes, the leaks are coming from hose or weakened clamps that run between outer and inner tube.
-Our fix included purchasing 3/8" ID with 9/16" OD clear plastic tubing and inserting it inside the existing 5/8" tubing.
-We allowed the new tubing to extend 6" past the outer and inner brass fittings.
-Applied a liberal amount of 4200 fast cure to the new tubing over a length of about 4" on each end.
-With a spinning motion, pushed tubing in from the outside fitting and spun back in from the inside fitting to ensure a good coating of sealant on each end.
-Allowed to set for 48 hours.
-Trimmed the new tubing flush at each end.
-Water tested for leaks.

You can expect the 3/8 tubing will relieve any accumulated water at about 80% of the original drain rate due to the reduced ID.

Howard & Cheryl

 

[jim rosenthal]

In other words, you stented it.

 

[Glory]

I had an issue and the problem was the seal between the beck drain and the deck.

Good luck.

 

[MadHatter53]

My 1983 53my just developed a leak dripping into the stbd headliner in aft stateroom. I have a small cabinet the the aft stbd corner, can I get access to this drain from there or should I just pull that section of headliner down.