It might just be condensation. Macs are quite prone to it - hard interior surfaces and no thermal insulation. It doesn't take much of a temperature drop outside to result in condensation inside. It gets a lot worse in the winter!
I have a couple of those de-humidifier absorbers, that you load up with 500g calcium chloride granules. I leave them in the cabin out of season, in damp conditions they fill with water and all the granules dissolve within a month. There's still some condensation, but seeing the amount of water they trap it would be a lot worse without. It wouldn't hurt to use 3 or 4 of them.
—
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
On the subject of the non closure between the hatch and washboard. I have a small additional panel that tucks up under the hatch and fits over two padlock staples. It keeps the water out nicely and makes the hatch more secure.
The appearance of the rain water inside is quite specific in location rather than general and also, it is associated with times of rain so I'm strongly suspecting various leaks which I'm trying to systematically eradicate.
I'll certainly try your idea in winter Rick (or now if other ideas prove fruitless) but for now I think I'll start with a temporary solution for the coachroof/washboard joint to see if that makes a difference, and what that difference is. It may show that I've been barking up the wrong tree with the windows.
Any ideas for a specific leak behind the heads - remember it's a 26M?
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Having sealed my through-deck mast-step fittings my main leak issue is now history and, as you can tell, from my recent silence I have learnt to live with the remaining leaks. I've got used to using a sponge and some kitchen towel to dry up the smallish amount of water that seems to appear in the starboard area of the under-cockpit berth - in the runnel where the carpet becomes horizontal (if that makes sense:)). I get the same level of ingress, same bit of carpet, immediately behind the portapotti. Nothing seems to come in on the port side?!?
As I mentioned I've ruled out the various through-deck fittings having sited kitchen towel immediately below their respective nuts and bolts and all is dry.
As there is no trace of moisture running down behind the vertical sections of carpet I'm wondering if the leaks are coming from the deck/hull joint.
If that joint were leaking where would you expect to see water collecting?
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
2. Which areas where it's clearly not getting in, and
3. The highest level at which it first appears,
I have concluded that one of my leaks is coming from the deck/hull joint. I imagine that the joint is "sealed" when the boat is made and the initial installation of the rub rail helps to keep water out. However, with age, I imagine that the sealant fails in some way and the rub rail ceases to provide a good seal. What probably happens is that the rub rail forms a reservoir of rainwater, along with the deck and feeds a constant supply of water to the now compromised deck/hull joint.
Any tips on the best way of re-sealing the deck/hull joint?
Secondly, when investigating an electrical problem (NMEA 2000 wiring from engine to SMIS gauge) I noticed that quite a lot of water was dripping into the stern berth area from the wiring pipe that drops from the binnacle, through the deck, into the boat.
It's clear that the base of the binnacle is not sealed to the cockpit sole.
I wondered if anyone had any suggestions how best to remedy this one also.
Many thanks!
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I have an M and have had water in exact same areas.
Mast foot was done under warrantee after yr 2. Then after 2 years searching I found the less at rear starboard side was join between deck and Hull. I noticed water was disappearing off the rub rail at one point. By applying liquid silicone sealant repeatedly I eventually found the flow and the leak stopped.
Portapoti area still a mystery but ?less since I installed solar powered extractor through window above heads.
If water from binnacle check binnacle not flooded inside. I drilled tiny holes along the underside channels of mine so it always drains dry if any ingress.
Many thanks Roly, I've sealed the binnacle to the cockpit sole and added a binnacle cover (a long heavy duty plastic bag) so no more water in this area.
Good to hear I'm not alone with the hull/deck joint. Now I'm out of the water for winter I'm planning to narrow down the locations of ingress with a hose and reseal affected areas and reseat/seal their nuts and bolts.
Specifically regarding the behind-heads area, I was wondering about the local safety line stanchion here. For some reason it doesn't seem to have access thingies for it's securing nuts so it's hard to a) check whether it's a leak source and b) get access for re-seating the stanchion.
—
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I think you would have to access it by pulling out all the flat in the box above mirror seat. May be worth watching what happens to coloured liquid or my liquid sealant trick. There is creeping cracking cure but I found better another clear liquid which I think I got from force 4 .
Hahaha, thanks Harry, and the great thing is that it's easy and I get to spend more time sailing:)
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike
It might just be condensation. Macs are quite prone to it - hard interior surfaces and no thermal insulation. It doesn't take much of a temperature drop outside to result in condensation inside. It gets a lot worse in the winter!
I have a couple of those de-humidifier absorbers, that you load up with 500g calcium chloride granules. I leave them in the cabin out of season, in damp conditions they fill with water and all the granules dissolve within a month. There's still some condensation, but seeing the amount of water they trap it would be a lot worse without. It wouldn't hurt to use 3 or 4 of them.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
On the subject of the non closure between the hatch and washboard. I have a small additional panel that tucks up under the hatch and fits over two padlock staples. It keeps the water out nicely and makes the hatch more secure.
Washboard Locks
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Thanks Guys, some good tips there.
The appearance of the rain water inside is quite specific in location rather than general and also, it is associated with times of rain so I'm strongly suspecting various leaks which I'm trying to systematically eradicate.
I'll certainly try your idea in winter Rick (or now if other ideas prove fruitless) but for now I think I'll start with a temporary solution for the coachroof/washboard joint to see if that makes a difference, and what that difference is. It may show that I've been barking up the wrong tree with the windows.
Any ideas for a specific leak behind the heads - remember it's a 26M?
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Ok,time for a bit of follow up on the leak front.
Having sealed my through-deck mast-step fittings my main leak issue is now history and, as you can tell, from my recent silence I have learnt to live with the remaining leaks. I've got used to using a sponge and some kitchen towel to dry up the smallish amount of water that seems to appear in the starboard area of the under-cockpit berth - in the runnel where the carpet becomes horizontal (if that makes sense:)). I get the same level of ingress, same bit of carpet, immediately behind the portapotti. Nothing seems to come in on the port side?!?
As I mentioned I've ruled out the various through-deck fittings having sited kitchen towel immediately below their respective nuts and bolts and all is dry.
As there is no trace of moisture running down behind the vertical sections of carpet I'm wondering if the leaks are coming from the deck/hull joint.
If that joint were leaking where would you expect to see water collecting?
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Ok, having looked carefully at:
1. Where the water is ending up,
2. Which areas where it's clearly not getting in, and
3. The highest level at which it first appears,
I have concluded that one of my leaks is coming from the deck/hull joint. I imagine that the joint is "sealed" when the boat is made and the initial installation of the rub rail helps to keep water out. However, with age, I imagine that the sealant fails in some way and the rub rail ceases to provide a good seal. What probably happens is that the rub rail forms a reservoir of rainwater, along with the deck and feeds a constant supply of water to the now compromised deck/hull joint.
Any tips on the best way of re-sealing the deck/hull joint?
Secondly, when investigating an electrical problem (NMEA 2000 wiring from engine to SMIS gauge) I noticed that quite a lot of water was dripping into the stern berth area from the wiring pipe that drops from the binnacle, through the deck, into the boat.
It's clear that the base of the binnacle is not sealed to the cockpit sole.
I wondered if anyone had any suggestions how best to remedy this one also.
Many thanks!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I have an M and have had water in exact same areas.
Mast foot was done under warrantee after yr 2. Then after 2 years searching I found the less at rear starboard side was join between deck and Hull. I noticed water was disappearing off the rub rail at one point. By applying liquid silicone sealant repeatedly I eventually found the flow and the leak stopped.
Portapoti area still a mystery but ?less since I installed solar powered extractor through window above heads.
If water from binnacle check binnacle not flooded inside. I drilled tiny holes along the underside channels of mine so it always drains dry if any ingress.
Roly
Many thanks Roly, I've sealed the binnacle to the cockpit sole and added a binnacle cover (a long heavy duty plastic bag) so no more water in this area.
Good to hear I'm not alone with the hull/deck joint. Now I'm out of the water for winter I'm planning to narrow down the locations of ingress with a hose and reseal affected areas and reseat/seal their nuts and bolts.
Specifically regarding the behind-heads area, I was wondering about the local safety line stanchion here. For some reason it doesn't seem to have access thingies for it's securing nuts so it's hard to a) check whether it's a leak source and b) get access for re-seating the stanchion.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I think you would have to access it by pulling out all the flat in the box above mirror seat. May be worth watching what happens to coloured liquid or my liquid sealant trick. There is creeping cracking cure but I found better another clear liquid which I think I got from force 4 .
Have you tried taking potty out of that area.?
Roly
Hi Roly,
I did check whether it was the portPotti leaking but since I have strong blue stuff in top and bottom I knew it wasn't that.
Whats the Creeping Cracking Cure btw?
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
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