Starlight 35 forepeak peak

[gregcope]

hi All,

Anyone know why the bottom forward bulkhead in the forepeak of a Bowman 1997 Starlight 35 is damp and getting damaged?

For the life of me I cannot find an obvious entry point...

The leak rate is tiny, it is just damp and damaging the woodwork. No other obvious damp/entry point.

Ideas welcome.

 

[westhinder]

I seem to recall a thread on the Sadler and Starlight Owners Association forum about a mysterious leak in the forepeak of a number of Starlights that originated in the anchor locker. The water found its way through a duct for an electrical cable and could end up almost anywhere. Have no first hand experience with it, touch wood.
Have look at http://sadlerandstarlight.gamalanhost.net/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

 

[Ric]

How is the anchor locker drain constructed? I had a similar mystifying leak in the forepeak on my boat (not a starlight) and after a lot of frustrating investigation I eventually discovered that the stainless drain tube had come loose, and so was letting in water between the outer hull and the locker moulding. From there, the water trickled back and left the forepeak floor carpet permanently sodden.

 

[vyv_cox]

I seem to recall a thread on the Sadler and Starlight Owners Association forum about a mysterious leak in the forepeak of a number of Starlights that originated in the anchor locker. The water found its way through a duct for an electrical cable and could end up almost anywhere. Have no first hand experience with it, touch wood.
Have look at http://sadlerandstarlight.gamalanhost.net/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

Yes, that's my recollection too. Search the SSOA forum and you will find several references to the problem and solution.

 

[gregcope]

Thanks all.

I looked at the ducked and could not for the life of me work out how water might get into it (mine is quite high in the rear most corner)

Floor section of the locker is a possibility.

Am thinking of drilling a few holes in the bottom edge to help dry/stop further stain damage.

 

[West Coast]

As Vyv says, much written in the past on this problem on the SSOA website. Seems both Sadler and Bowman models had the problem, although bowman to a lesser degree. However, causes seemed to vary. One was poor sealing where the bow nav light cable came through the bulkhead. Another was poor, or failing sealant round the bolts which secured the inner forestay fitting (where fitted). Others reported that the anchor locker drains were set too low, and penetrated the anchor locker floor, so allowing water in.

The first owner of my boat (Sadler built 35) experienced a leak, showing as damp on the cabin side of the bulkhead. He had a Dutch yard apply considerable extra amounts of additional frp laminate on the anchor locker side which sorted the problem. I had a further leak a few years ago, but this was traced to the inner forestay fitting. I checked the locker drains, in my boat they are fine, about 3mm above the anchor locker floor.

Have a look on the SSOA website, but if you cannot find the threads (they are old threads now) let me know, as I downloaded copies for reference.