Hull-deck joint leak?

[awyatybw]

I have a Victoria 34. Relatively recent build – 1994. During a recent day out in a bit of a blow with a very short sea we had a lot of water over the decks and the port toe-rail spent quit bit of time below water. Later we discovered water in several of the lockers along the port side – not lots but enough to make a few things a bit wet/damp.

As far as I can determine, the construction involves an overlap of the hull and deck mouldings which are through bolted every 6-8 inches. It appears that some form of black sealant was used in the join. On top of this is a teak gunwale (is there a better term?) which is screwed in place, the screw-holes being plugged (although a few plugs are missing). The sealant between the underside edges of the gunwale and the hull, both on the inside and outside, has failed in many places.

Is it reasonable to expect that sealant between the two parts of the hull moulding may have failed? Or am I mistaken in my assumption that the black gunge that can be seen from inside the boat along the join of the hull and deck mouldings is a sealant between these?


Alan.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I have what I assume to be the same problem on a vancouver 34 where the deck moulding sits on a shelf which is part of the hull moulding (biscuit tin is the term used to describe it) The two are bonded and through bolted with the gap between them being filled with a soft mastic compound. The whole then being covered by a teak capping rail. I suspect that the edge seal of the cap rail to hull allows water to penetrate and the mastic has some voids in it, the water then tracks through these and eventually finds its way into a variety of lockers. I propose to take of the rail rake out the gap between hull and deck moulding refill and refasten the cap rail. My only problem is like yours is it the source of the leaks? we will only find out by doing the work.

 

[oldsaltoz]

If you can see the sealant from inside you should be able to apply 3 strips of fibreglass, this will stiffen the structure and reduce the flexing that may be contributing to the leak.

Many mass production boats are bolted or riveted and many develop leaks, glassing the hull and deck joint will eliminate the problem.

If you plan to do this yourself, let us know and we can advise you further, I'm sure I'm not the only one to have done this in the past.

Avagoodweekend.

 

[Pye_End]

Have you tried Victoria Shadow Association?

Victoria Shadow

 

[Boathook]

I had the same problem and found the bolts had slackened. Tightened back up with grey gunge ujnder the washers and leaks stopped. Found some of the nuts difficult/impossible to get at as interior was bonded in place after the deck!