Is rainwater ingress via the covers of a sportscruiser inevitable?

[RobWales]

SS 34 Cockpit covers all new with no rips or tares...!

My first boat with a tent and I'm a little bit annoyed that my cockpit carpet is soaking!

Only place I can guess I have rain entering is the join between front and rear section along the top of the radar arch.

Is this normal on this style of boat? and is there a solution?

Thanks,Rob.

 

[Whitelighter]

When you say new - do you mean brand new?

If so, they will leak for the first few times they get wet until the sealing happens

You will also find if that isnt it, that the slightest mis-alignement when putting them up will mean the leak like a sieve.

 

[RobWales]

JB,
They are new (ish) Sept 08....
They fit well with all poppers,tapes,zips and velcro sitting well,but I cannot begin to imagine how anyone could expect to get a watertight seal around the top of the arch?
Sounds like its a common prob then?
Thanks
PS good pics from the show.

 

[Whitelighter]

If the covers are on poopers at the top of the arch then they will leak for sure. Onbly solution here (and this isnt perfect) is to have the cover seated in a track, This forms a pretty water tight seal. Worked well in my Bavaria. Had poppers on the bayliner and they were useless

 

[hlb]

Carpet, tent. Leaks. I cant keep my fly bridge without the ocasional leak. No idea how you would do it with a tent boat. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RobWales]

Bloody silly design then!
Plan B = dry out cockpit carpet roll up and store away for use only in dry conditions.
AH problem last two years very few dry conditions.
Bugger!

 

[AdeOlly]

Snap. Poppers on the Sealine and there were puddles everytime it rained; covers sit in tracks on the roof of the Hardy and hey presto, all nice and dry, always /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ralf2]

Ideally...can you see where its getting in....its more than half the battle,i had a sieve last year(treated a new hood with waterproofing) and then) where the canopy edge pulled through the aluminium extrude i watched it during a downpour and the cockpit practically flooded,
After watching what happened i could see where the flow was going and sneaking in,and the slightest twinge to the aluminium was enough to solve it totally.............ie watch the drip,from the outside to get the best result inside.

 

[RobWales]

Hi,Prob I have is no aluminium extrude and just poppers!

 

[D3B]

can i recount my stories of leaking/crap canopies......


Ok...

most already know.....



and the effing thing is still not right after 4 friggin years......


Sealine canopies ??????????


Dont get me started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

 

[adrianb]

Maybe a strip of Blu Tack, or similar, run around the arch to deflect the rain ?

 

[RobWales]

Adrian,
My train of thought that, but more permanent....
A white flexible stick on type of rubber strip, anyone suggest an outlet for this type of thing?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I gave up sportsboats because of continuing struggles with canopies. They will leak through zips, seams and anywhere where they butt upto the boat and then the material itself will leak when it gets old and stretched. Just accept it and promise yourself that you'll buy a hardtop or flybridge boat next time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[andy59]

I cant fault the covers on my Bavaria , Made and fitted by TECSEW at Gosport . They have aluminium track and velcro flaps over all zips , had it a year and has never leaked a drop . The only damp i get is condensation or dew same as everyone . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[malcolm2]

Something not right here. I thought all S34's had the hood top edge where it joins the radar arch running in an ali extrusion. No poppers other than at the sides of the arch. Therefore both our original hood and the current one 99.99% leak free. Certainly no wet floor ever.

 

[RobWales]

Malc, its an SS 34 (SUNSEEKER) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[oceanfroggie]

Our previous canopy on the Broom had a minor leak because some twat powerwashed it and spread the stitching. But the new canopy hasn't let a drop in even after long periods of wind and heavy rain (ie all last summer). It's on rails around the radar arch no studs which I think helps. It also has leak protection covering all the zips. If the canopy is designed and fitted properly it should not leak. IMHO, they should be replaced though every 5-8 years due to wear and tear. The newer brooms have electrically folding canopies and radar arches (ie like some sports cars). In our climate we love our "tent" , but we can get rid of it or part of it in mins if the sun ever comes out! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Pendana]

I find that an annual coat of Fabsil tent sealer helps. Comes in a half gallon can and splash it on with a 4" paint brush with a double coat over the seams.

Eddie

 

[DavidJ]

I had some drips from my S37 covers and found it was the stitching. Brushed with Fabsil (not the aerosol) and perfect. It has to be done when dry and on this forum I was warned not to get it on the plastic windows. I think your problem may be a little different but maybe useful info.

 

[poltergeist]

The canopy on our Sealine S28 runs in a track along the radar arch, and the whole assembly is totally water tight.