[C320-list] Leaking Compass Housing

[Colin Evans]

Rick,
I covered the throttle lever and compass and doused the wheel shaft with
water where it goes into the binnacle.  Nothing in the aft cabin.  The I did
the same with the compass.  Water in the cabin, so I`m reasonable sure
that`s where it`s coming in. I don`t think it is the main mounting as there
are no leaks when the boat is static in the pen with the cover over the
wheel etc.  If it is the main cockpit floor mount I would expect rain water
in any time.  I think most of this is when I am washing the boat.  (HMMMM
maybe a message there) 
I have had previous water ingress through the throttle cable collar on the
cockpit floor.  I just filled the whole thing with silicone and screwed it
back down and problem was solved.
Thanks for the assistance.  I will try the silicone on the pulley cover in
the aft cabin.  It will only need to be sealed across the bottom and about a
inch up each side to meet up with the opening in the bulkhead for the
steering cables etc.  My concern is water in there may smell after a while.
(Or perhaps will evaporate with engine heat.)
I`m not sure where you put the pan access point.  We have a board cover to
the skeg bolts under the pulley cover under the matress.  I guess any water
will eventually find it`s way into the bilge.
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia
 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rick Sulewski
Sent: Monday, 18 June 2012 11:02 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leaking Compass Housing

Colin,

Despite your reservations, some silicone over the pulley cover gasket seam
as well as over the screw heads solved our leak problems and still made it
very easy to remove the silicone strip whenever the need arose for service
access. Keep in mind that the leak could also be coming from the  helm
mounting on the cockpit deck and a coating of flexible silicone or 3M 4200
over those potential water intrusion points will also reduce the likelihood
of leaks that may show up on the pulley cover and find their way on the aft
bunk. The water will go somewhere and will likely end up between the hull &
pan/bilge molding and settle just aft of the bilge under the molded hull
pan. To remove the water from beneath the pan, we created an access point by
slicing a section of floor board with a jig saw just aft of the bilge where
there is an access port on our 95 model so water accumulation may be
monitored and easily be removed with a small shop vac. Sure beats having
mold and mildew as a result of an annoying repetitive leak onto the aft bunk
bedding.

Rick
My-Ria #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Colin Evans
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 12:59 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Leaking Compass Housing

We have a very slight (annoying) leak through the compass housing/light on
the binnacle.  It drips down the steering cables into the pulley cover in
the aft cabin where is runs out at the aft bulkhead.
I don`t really want to seal the pulley cover in the aft cabin, and I`m not
sure that putting sealants on the compass housing will be a good idea.  Has
anyone any ideas.
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark #774
Lake Macquarie, Australia