[C320-list] Help with aft cabin leak

[pat reynolds]

Warren,  we had the same leak which was from the Gate stanchion above.  The paneling was also starting to rot from the moisture.  Both the interior port and the paneling were easy to remove on our 1995 model.  We were able to remove the interior ring and actually in the three years since I have not gotten around to putting it back together to my wife's chagrin.  The fiberglass underneath was white and still is although I bought and recup a piece of paneling from Menards as they were the closest thing to the original.  The paneling is screwed on, and can be removed after you remove the port cover and interior frame.  I then removed the wood strip after unscrewing the lights.  This gives you access to the liner.  I used a 2 1/2 inch circular saw blade and cut out the liner to get  access to the stanchion nuts.  The holes are covered up when you put the wood strip back.  Remove and clean the stanchion and rail and caulk.  When putting the nuts
 back on don't tighten, let the caulk set up to provide a rubberlike seal. 

From: Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 3:35 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Help with aft cabin leak

We have a leak in the aft cabin on the hull above the hanging locker on our
hull #62.  I'm 90% sure it is from the stanchion above.  However, the
resulting moisture behind the wood paneling has started to mildew and
permeate the paneling.  I need to remove the paneling to clean it up and
refinish.  If anyone has removed this panel, I could use some hints.

The mounting ring of the stbd fixed port is attached over the paneling
making it necessary to remove the mounting ring to remove the paneling.  It
appears the outside finishing ring on the port is bonded to the hull.  What
I want to know is can I safely remove the inside ring without compromising
the watertight integrity of the port.  Also, we're in the water and wouldn't
want the port to drop overboard.

Any other hints gratefully accepted.



Warren & Pattie Updike

1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"