Re: Bilge water - list of leak points for P19

theodore f. boyer (freelanc@execpc.com)
Mon, 06 Dec 1999 23:55:42 -0600


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Dear Solar,
I found a major leak to occur under the forward edge of the top hatch by
driving wind and rain. This was also an area where bugs and mosquitoes were
entering. The solution for me was to use double sided carpet tape to 4" x 4" x
18" closed cell a/c foam attached to the top deck surface. It also improved the
lockup fit for the main entry hatch/table.
Ted-Milwaukee WWPotter19 "Sea Breeze"

SolarFry@aol.com wrote:

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> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> In a message dated 12/6/99 7:47:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, etj@nwlink.com
> writes:
>
> This must be endemic to P19's. Not enough sealant or none at all is used in
> many fittings. Must be the rush to get them out the door.
>
> Thanks for the list of leaks. I am slowly finding all the ones you
> mentioned. The list will help in finding the rest of them.
>
> <SNIP>
> "Other major rainwater leak reductions occurred when I move the handrails to
> atop the hatch slide guides, allowing me to permanently fill 8 holes in the
> cabintop (though I think some potters came this way). "
> <SNIP>
>
> I have above described leak! I am going to have to cut the inner liner at
> sliding hatch screws to remove and reinstal. They seem to be leaking. I had
> to put a tarp over cabin top to reduce water flow.
>
> Best
> Solar Fry
> member Florida Potter Club on the internet
> West Wight Potter 19 # 1028, "Elusive Margin"
> Sovereign 13 # 12393, "Solar Fry"
> Sunbird 201 # 2W0040, "Volatility Premium"
> Pompano Beach, FL
> Hillsboro Inlet Weather: Temp 80 F
> Rain, wind E 15 - 20 MPH, Seas 4 - 6'
> e-mail -> solarfry@aol.com
>
> Best
>
> << I sealed mine by drilling out the rivets holding the deck plate in place,
> using sealant under the little deck plate, and more globbed around the slot.
> I did all 4 chainplates this way and it has cut down a lot of the water that
> leaks in when it rains. I've been on something of a crusade the last few
> years hunting down rainwater leaks (and I get plenty of opportunity to find
> them here in Seattle!). Other major rainwater leak reductions occurred when
> I move the handrails to atop the hatch slide guides, allowing me to
> permanently fill 8 holes in the cabintop (though I think some potters came
> this way). Another major leak source was Nav lights. On my potter the
> sternlight was mounted atop the transom - water just poured in beneath the
> light. I moved it to a flush-mount unit just under the rubrail on the
> transom, like some of the newer boats. I had to replace my front bicolor
> light because the socket wore out, so I just sealed it real well. I had a
> tiny leak somewhere in the cockpit drain assembly, but I am just putting the
> finishing touches on converting that to a 1.5" drain and I suspect that leak
> will go away when I finally clamp on the hose when the 5200 on the backing
> plates dries. 3/4" hose sure bends a lot easier than 1.5", but I found an
> automotive radiator hose that perfectly does the bends i need to hook up the
> fittings.
>
> I still get some water inside, primarily from condensation (even seems to
> occur when I have the tarp on it!) but it is greatly reduced. In the coming
> weeks I'll eliminate some other known leaks by drilling out the rivets (gosh
> I'm beginning to hate rivets) holding my curtain rods up and gluing the rods
> in place with 3m 5200. I've noticed some tiny drips around the rivet holes
> so I'll repair the gelcoat around these holes.
>
> I've also found that painting the inside of all the lockers with a bright
> white paint (I've been using Minwax exterior polyurethane) really helps find
> the leaks.
> >>