2020 Freedom 325 leaking water into starboard cabin

[DavidNatelson]

I keep finding rainwater water on my seats and floor in the cabin in front of the helm. Today I removed the fabric covered panel on the front across the cabin from the AC and DC panels. That’s where I saw water dripping from behind the fabric panel. I could feel water on the attached white cable which has not printing on what’s looks like a coax cable. I first thought bolts for the windshield were letting water through. It could be the VHF antenna. Does anyone know what this cable is attached to? See attached photos.

 

[seasick]

Is the coax on the back of your VHF radio white?

 

[glacierbaze]

Took me a long time to tear my eyes away from those nuts and bolts, before I could focus on the cable. What the hell are they holding, is that the windshield?
If the water is running down the cables, I would think that your problem is on the top, where it is getting in..

 

[Hookup1]

You need to find out which direction the water is coming in. Wrap paper towels around cables and tape in place. Try some o the flat areas too. Then get it wet.

 

[DavidNatelson]

The vhf cable inside the wiring area in the cabin does go up over the ceiling to the front and is white and has not writing in it. I assume the leak has to be from the top roof. The things installed there are horns in front, nav light behind the sunroof, and vhf antenna. The vhf antenna is in the back of the roof and my boat is on a lift. Water can’t go forward on top single I angle the lift down in the back. I wonder about the windshield base to hull as a possible item. I guess I can run a hose on different spots this weekend and watch the cable for more water. This was a log of water not small drops

 

[DavidNatelson]

You need to find out which direction the water is coming in. Wrap paper towels around cables and tape in place. Try some o the flat areas too. Then get it wet.

I can only see 1ft of cable in the corner and then it goes up out of my view.

 

[DavidNatelson]

Took me a long time to tear my eyes away from those nuts and bolts, before I could focus on the cable. What the hell are they holding, is that the windshield?
If the water is running down the cables, I would think that your problem is on the top, where it is getting in..

The bolts are dry and are for the windshield I think

 

[loubeer]

Are you sure it's rainwater? Does it only leak when raining or washing down the boat - if so, you've got a caulking problem. You can spray isolated areas to see when it starts to leak.

If you get the water leak when your boat's fresh water supply is pressurized, could be a leak in your windshield wiper water line or any other fresh water hose that is routed higher than the leak.

 

[DavidNatelson]

Are you sure it's rainwater? Does it only leak when raining or washing down the boat - if so, you've got a caulking problem. You can spray isolated areas to see when it starts to leak.

If you get the water leak when your boat's fresh water supply is pressurized, could be a leak in your windshield wiper water line or any other fresh water hose that is routed higher than the leak.

It only does this when it rains a ton which has been rare here lately

 

[glacierbaze]

The bolts are dry and are for the windshield I think

It was how they just ripped out chunks of the wood coring, to seat the washer, or recess the nut, that got my attention. If the bolts hold the windshield, and they ever leak, it will go right into the coring.

 

[loubeer]

It only does this when it rains a ton which has been rare here lately

Use a hose and douse above that bolt - you should be able to see if water is seeping in.

 

[seasick]

It was how they just ripped out chunks of the wood coring, to seat the washer, or recess the nut, that got my attention. If the bolts hold the windshield, and they ever leak, it will go right into the coring.

My first thought was that the installer overtightened the bolt and crushed the coring.Maybe the installer drilled the hole and the thin underside just chipped out . In any case, there could be more issues than just a leak, such as core rot. I would determine what those bolts connect and remove whatever it is to inspect the top and repair the damage.
I wonder if that work was done at the factory or at the dealer. In either case, it gets added to my poor Grady workmanship during Covid list.

 

[Legend]

2020 - isn't it still under the hull warranty - let dealer fix it for you.

 

[DavidNatelson]

I found where the water enters. Basically pouring through this gap coming out on the inside of the windshield.under this pipe must e a hole in the fiberglass.