[C320-list] Leak into aft cabin via steering box

[Allan S Field]

Graeme - The stanchions tubes insert into bases that are thru-bolted and
sealed to the deck.  About 1-inch above the bases are where the stanchion
tubes go into the bases.  I would suggest first putting a bead of caulk
around the this joint where the 2 pieces - the base and the stanchion - come
together.  Let it properly cure then spray water over the joint.  If that
does not take care of the leak, then the leak would be coming from the
base-to-deck seals.  Any leak from the emergency tiller port should not come
into the box in the aft cabin.  The only other source of water into that
box, if not at the tube to base joint or the base to deck seal, would be
higher up the tubes such as through around a hole for an instrument pod.

Let us know what you find!

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Graeme Clark
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 3:29 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Leak into aft cabin via steering box

When it rains ( as it does a lot here in England!) we have a leak running
down the aft wall if the aft cabin from the junction between the box that
covers the steering pulleys beneath the binnacle - the left hand wall if you
are lying on the bunk!

Removing the box it is evident that the leak comes from somewhere "above" 

However it is not obvious where! 

There are three stanchions with football shaped fittings where they join the
deck as well as the stanchion that supports the throttle. All have had some
sort of silicone sealant applied by a previous owner presumably in an
attempt to deal with the problem


So - I have two problems:- easiest way to remove all the old sealant and how
best to re seal it. I guess the area gets a pounding witth the deck brush is
regularly submerged briefly when we sluice down and is subject to large
mechanical loads when crew grap hold of a stanchion as they cross the
cockpit when tacking!

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there possibly another source of the
leak that I haven't considered? My wide (who insists on sleeping on the
left) is fed up with a damp bunk!

Thanks
Graeme
Hull 303, "Simia"

Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!