Wet Companionway Trim

[John K.]

Somehow, water is finding its way to the top forward corners of the companionway on my CD26. I often find the teak trim pieces wet where they come together to form the top forward left and right corners of the companionway opening. This is strange because this area is completely covered by the sliding hatch, even when the hatch is open. I think the cavity in which the sliding hatch slides may be clogged with debris, causing rainwater to back up and spill out onto the companionway corners. Anybody have this happen? Other ideas? Suggested fixes?

Thanks

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

John,

I would suspect that the weap holes to each side of the sea hood are in fact clogged with trash. You might try putting a hose against each hole and try to back flush them(carefull you don't mess up the cabin!). Whenever I wash off Hanalei, I pay particular attention to the slide area itself. If you flood that with water, water should issue forth from the drain holes along with whatever might clog them up.

Of course, it could be the bedding of the sea hood itself. If that's the case, you would need to remove it and rebed the hood. But, the hood actually overhangs the slide hatch.

We sometimes get a splash of water on the top forward edge of the icebox cabinet, starboard side just as you go down the companionway, and when that happens, I look to those pesky drain holes! FWIW...

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

[Dick Turner]

John,

I just finished repairing the same type problem on my 31. I believe the cause is water running down the side of the sea hood and seeping in between the teak and the slide rail. I sealed the space between the teak and the plactic slide rail and applied a few coats of varnish. This should fix the problem.

Dick Turner
Mystical CD-31

tbrhin1@gibralter.net

[Rich]

I've seen evidence of that on my CD26, staining on the liner around the companion way. When I cleaned my teak, I flushed a lot of debris out of the tracks. Close everything up and put a hose in the joint, you should see a lot of crud come out. If you have a partner, have them inside while you flush, they might spot the path of the water.



rpassmore42@hotmail.com

[Larry DeMers]

We had the same problem, and found the seahood was leaking in the caulking, allowing water to get into the hatch's slide track, work it's way back to the upper edges of the wood trim, then follow the wood joints down into the companionway and inside on the counter.
I rebedded the seahood (pulled the hatch while the hood was off, and put 4 coats of one-part white polyurethane on the hatch underside..what a difference in appearance!) -then I cleaned the hatch slide tracks with alcohol, and applied a small bead of white silicon sealant to the wood-fiberglass interface. Use a wet finger to create a smooth radius in the silicon. It also helps to create a waterproof seal. You do not need a large bead..1/16in. is sufficient, and at that size, it is almost invisible. This seal will last 5-6 years before maybe needing to replace it (depends on your high/low temp. extremes. We go through -40 to 100)
To do so, just lift the end corner, and strip it back, reclean with alcohol and repay the silicon sealant again.

This cured our problem completely.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Somehow, water is finding its way to the top forward corners of the companionway on my CD26. I often find the teak trim pieces wet where they come together to form the top forward left and right corners of the companionway opening. This is strange because this area is completely covered by the sliding hatch, even when the hatch is open. I think the cavity in which the sliding hatch slides may be clogged with debris, causing rainwater to back up and spill out onto the companionway corners. Anybody have this happen? Other ideas? Suggested fixes?

Thanks

demers@sgi.com

[Chris Cram]

Hello all,

I had to do this same job on my 25D, remove the spray hood and reseal.
While we are on this subject. Why did Cape Dory design and build the rest of the boat quite well and then (in my opinion) do a "light" job with respect to the companionway hatch? It just doesn't seem as sturdy, as high quality as I have seen on similar grade boats. That fiberglass flange for example. Any way-- sorry, I had to get that off my chest.

Chris Cram



cccobx@prodigy.net

[Larry DeMers]

Hi Chris,

Boy you are right about that! It is the worst part of the boat I believe. For folks going on longer trips, this area needs to be bolstered up. Now how to do it? There have been comments from people that did reinforce the hatch/storm hood..these were a few years ago now though.

Anyone have ideas on how to make this contraption more watertite and secure?

I replaced the teak that creates the seal at the top of the companionway, scribing it to allow 1/8 in clearance to the hatch when closed. This at least keeps the mosquitos out of the boat...heh, but it needs more I believe.

Ideas???

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Hello all,

I had to do this same job on my 25D, remove the spray hood and reseal.
While we are on this subject. Why did Cape Dory design and build the rest of the boat quite well and then (in my opinion) do a "light" job with respect to the companionway hatch? It just doesn't seem as sturdy, as high quality as I have seen on similar grade boats. That fiberglass flange for example. Any way-- sorry, I had to get that off my chest.

Chris Cram

demers@sgi.com

[Brace Tallents]

Somehow, water is finding its way to the top forward corners of the companionway on my CD26. I often find the teak trim pieces wet where they come together to form the top forward left and right corners of the companionway opening. This is strange because this area is completely covered by the sliding hatch, even when the hatch is open. I think the cavity in which the sliding hatch slides may be clogged with debris, causing rainwater to back up and spill out onto the companionway corners. Anybody have this happen? Other ideas? Suggested fixes?

Thanks

I have the same problem and intend to take it all apart this spring to fix it . i am also thinking of installing a butterfly hatch on the storm cover at the same time , has any one ever done this ? i need some direction and advice .