Leak in Cabin

Bob Meola

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
129
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Went to empty everything off boat last week so Mariana could pull and put to sleep for the winter. This is starboard side of boat. Its a 265 Express. Can the leak becoming from bow rail?boat.jpg
 

ElyseM

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
949
Reaction score
54
Points
28
Location
highlands, nj
hard to tell from pic, but is the area saturated? if not, could be from condensation.
 

seasick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
9,530
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
NYC
I am making a guess here but assuming that the wet section normally sits pretty much level, based on watching too many episodes of CSI the slant of the angled streaks tells me that the water is running towards that section from farther forward as the boat plows to get on plane. It may be pooling somewhere and under acceleration runs back until it finds a place to drain out.
 

seasick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2008
Messages
9,530
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
NYC
That's a good thing to check. Dry and clean the stains ( don't wax though). you could try hosing the rub rail from underneath and see if there is water inside.
Good luck, I hope it's something relatively simple.
 

frankm

Active Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2019
Messages
39
Reaction score
21
Points
8
Age
63
Model
Express 305
I had a leak in the exact same area on my 305 Express this summer. Turns out the leak was from the horn on the outside. I had my horn replaced and the mechanic somehow got the gasket folded when he did the install. I checked some photos or my previously owned 265 Express and the horn was in the same area as the one on my 305 Express.
Just a thought for you to look at!
 

ROBERTH

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
1,311
Reaction score
125
Points
63
Location
Raleigh, NC
Model
Sailfish
Is that near midships on the side? If so, I vote rubrail. I had to redo mine a couple years ago. Had water coming in after an offshore trip. Seems that the spray or waves and forward momentum put enough pressure to force it in this area.
Just removed the screws, cleaned, recaulked and no more issue.
My rubrail is all rubber, so best to do in warm to hot weather since cold weather might make it hard to work with, it not impossible.
 

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
8,029
Reaction score
1,285
Points
113
Deck and liner joint under rub rail and horn are good call outs. Check wiper arm too.
 

drbatts

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
887
Reaction score
190
Points
43
Location
CT
Model
Express 305
The only things in that area that can leak would be the rubrail, bow rail, hardtop leg, horn and wiper. My previous 265 the wiper leaked a bit, but the water usually collected in the cover under the motor. While boat shopping and selling I talked to a few surveyors who all said that they commonly see moisture around the hardtop legs especially in boats of that vintage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sailfish