Deck ? Leak on a 2008 Jeanneau 36i

[Daverman]

I have water in my stern  - it does not drain to the bilge, seems to be collecting in the rib and the section under the galley sink.
The boat is winterized, all systems drained and on the hard in a cradle with a canvas cover - so I know it is not coming from a leak below

The water seems to be coming in from the stern area of the boat - it collects in the stern and does not run to the bilge.


This happened to me in the summer while in the water, but I could not find the location of the leak.


Has anyone experienced anything similar on a 36i?

Any suggestions or where to look for water egress and how to address it?

Dave

[sitara]

Don't know if this is the case with the 36i but on the 39i the lowest transom step is teak over ply over a hole in the fibreglass. The ply can rot allowing water penetration, and in your case it would be if rain can reach the step. Where abouts in the stern is the water accumulating?

[pdodds]

You should also unscrew your tiller cap and the housing it sits in on the rear step. When I replaced my old teak on the steps, there was no caulking, butyl tape or sealant anywhere to be found and the wood core was rotting and wet around that cap. The swim ladder mount was also put together with lackluster effort as well.

[vasko]

How is the connection between the top and bottom hull under the stern rubber stripe ?

[Daverman]

Thanks all.
My transom step is same - teak over a bloody big hole - not sure why the design was like that -  the teak was lifting on a corner and I thought I resealed it - that definitely could be the source - I will take a closer look.

The water is accumulating in the "aft" bulkhead under the galley sink, two "bulkheads" aft of the main bilge bulkhead.  This is where the water accumulates when i have a leak on the prop shaft seal.

Thanks all for the feedback!

D

[Daverman]

Sitara / pdodds / vasko:
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I will also check the ladder mount and the tiller cap.
The connection between top and bottom hull looks good - but will inspect that as well to see if that could be a source.
I will report back on what I find.

D

[pdodds]

Hey Daverman,
Whereabouts do you keep the boat? I’m in Toronto as well... sail out of EYC
Paul

[ForGrinsToo]

Mar 30, 2020 19:17:39 GMT Daverman said:

Thanks all.
My transom step is same - teak over a bloody big hole - not sure why the design was like that -  the teak was lifting on a corner and I thought I resealed it - that definitely could be the source - I will take a closer look.

While you're in there inspecting, can you tell what holds the bottom step over that opening? I have a feeling it is just adhesive/caulk.

I'm thinking of getting one of those borescope/endoscope devices that couple to a smartphone via WiFi so I could see..

Geoff

[georgia]

I pulled all my swim step teak, ripped out (what was left) of the crappy plywood cover over the access holes, and refiberglassed the entire step. I'm now just finishing up with SeaDeck faux teak covers on the newly fiberglassed steps. You can see the progress here.. captaingeorgia.com/blog/f/some-fiberglass-work

[MalcolmP]

Apr 2, 2020 22:31:05 GMT georgia said:

I pulled all my swim step teak, ripped out (what was left) of the crappy plywood cover over the access holes, and refiberglassed the entire step. I'm now just finishing up with SeaDeck faux teak covers on the newly fiberglassed steps. You can see the progress here.. captaingeorgia.com/blog/f/some-fiberglass-work

Good work Georgia. Looking forward to seeing finished photos too

[ForGrinsToo]

Apr 2, 2020 22:31:05 GMT georgia said:

I pulled all my swim step teak, ripped out (what was left) of the crappy plywood cover over the access holes, and refiberglassed the entire step. I'm now just finishing up with SeaDeck faux teak covers on the newly fiberglassed steps. You can see the progress here.. captaingeorgia.com/blog/f/some-fiberglass-work

I have two minds on this (probably lost the third), but:

Especially given the boarding ladder and grip in the area, it seems like the structure should have been more
substantial.

It is also clear that there some hoses and fittings (including the backing for the boarding ladder) that are far more
easily accessed through those ports.

The glass is weatherproof and adds strength, for sure. (And looks great.) But what made you decide that closing it in was the better approach?

That said, I know our bottom step is not in great shape, though I have not see any sort of troubling seepage in the bilge - yet. So I am trying to determine what our next steps should be.

Thanks,
Geoff

[georgia]

 I do a lot of offshore sailing...   the last thing I want is a big hole that close to the water line and where any kind of wave action at the stern will let water in.    I had a steady bit of water I couldn't find and when I did, and did the research I found out just how large those holes are.  Everything I need to access in the stern can be accessed through the access panel in the stern and the two access panels in the aft cabins so the best thing I could do, and to make the boat that much safer for offshore bad weather, was to fiberglass over the holes and cover with new teak.   the original teak covers would stop any access anyway without ripping it all up so no different in maintenance and much safer.    Much happier now and more piece of mind knowing my boat is now bone dry below. 

cheers
geo