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

[Colin Evans]

 Graeme,
We had the same problem.  It was twofold.  The cover over the compass was
leaking which I think I fixed by using a clear sealant.
The other problem was the hole where the throttle cables pass through the
deck. Yours is an earlier boat than our so you may have separate throttle/
gear levers whereas we only have one to do both jobs.  It`s on the Stb`d
side of the binnacle. 
I took off the deck fitting and filled it with sealant.  That seemed to
solve that problem.  The other thing I did was put a small amount of sealant
around bottom an a bit up the sides of the cover inside the aft cabin, so
that if any water did get in it didn`t leak into the cabin, but if it filled
up enough it went out through the drain in the aft bulkhead.  Aha!!! you
might say, don`t fancy having water slopping around inside that cover.
Neither did I so I put a 150mm inspection cover in it so I can check for
water and get my hand in to sponge any out.
*************************
Regards
Colin Evans
Watermark 
2000 C320 # 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 Graeme Clark
Sent: Wednesday, 15 May 2013 5:29 AM
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.!