SailNet Community banner
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

water drippage inside cabin of 1980 t33

3K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  ehmanta 
#1 ·
Anyone have input regarding finding and stopping leak inside cabin of a 1980 t33? Occurs when heavy rain. Drips from inside of cabin on starboard side from very aft part of cabin. Drips on galley counter just right of range when facing range, facing starboard side. Falls on the back right corner of the lift out top storage compartment. When I lean my head in and look up behind the teak panel I can see that the water is running to that point from forward but I can't see the origin. Is there a technique to find this leak? Can I remove the teak panels for a better view? The previous owner replaced the cabin ports because original ones leaked. The newer ones seem to have good joints. I just don't see from looking on the outside an apparent trouble spot. I am considering running a hose on various deck hardware, beginning with the most aft first to try to repeat the problem. Could be coming from as far forward as the mast? I see very little if any leaking at this joint. Input would be appreciated. This boat seems to be very sound so far and I would certainly like to avoid any long term water damage. Thanks.e there.
 
#2 ·
I see now that the water seems to be entering through the starboard dorade. It just seems that should not allow water to be trapped and leak through the cabin top. Does anyone have experience or advice as to how to avoid or protect against this. I am wondering if there is a crack hole or other leakpath is inside the dorade box.
I covered the starboard dorade over the past two weeks in which there was much rain and was dry. What is interesting is that the port side has not leaked. I would rather not cover it as I really think the ventilation is needed.
 
#3 ·
It sounds as if you should try to find and fix the source of rainwater leaking into your dorade boxes. I'll agree that they supply valuable circulation to your cabin. They also work better if they are part of a working pair of dorades (one facing 180* from the other).
Happy hunting!
 
#4 ·
I appreciate the input. I wonder if there is a way to seal off part of the box. On this boat seems there is a cavity that extends aft toward the cockpit further than is required for the ventilation. A cavity where the back portion is lower than the rest of the dorade box. I haven't examined the other side, the port dorade yet to see if same design. I would think it is. The dorade boxes have drain holes for water that does enter but when I look inside appears the back portion falls away toward back and water can travel there away from the drain hole. It is that location where the water is entering. Any ideas.
 
#5 ·
The Dorade boxes should have small drain ports at deck level.. is it possible that these have plugged with dirt/whatever and the dorade is filled and essentially overflowing into the boat?

Or is it leaking onto the inside of the liner and then down to your galley area?
 
#6 ·
A picture or two might help.
If I am understanding you correctly you are saying that the main chamber of the dorade box is not simply a rectangle and the aft side continues on for a ways and is below the main level.
It sounds as if you will want to plug up this 'extension' to keep water from getting in there in the first place.
 
#8 ·
If the cavity extends aft and is lower then the rest of the Dorade box I would close it off to keep water out of there. I'd use epoxy and cloth and maybe even some gel-coat to cover it.
As to attaching a picture when replying you need to click on the 'Go Advanced' button below and click on 'manage attachments' or something like that.
 
#10 ·
If your dorades are built like mine, there is an aluminum tube that is cut through the deck inside of the dorade box. This tube is what allows the air to funnel down below. The joint between the deck and the tube is somewhat subject to leaks because Tartan used gel coat to form a seal around the tube and over time, this gel coat cracks due to the different rates of expansion and contraction. Does your dorade have a teak lid that you can remove? If so, open her up and take a chisel and chip off any loose gel coat at this joint, clean well with a solvent, then carefully take some good quality caulk, like 3M 4000, and run a good bead of caulk around it.
Another possiblity is the way Tartan used to shield the top of this tube. They used a flat piece of fiberglass to cover this opening from water dripping down from the cowl vent. It is possible that this cover is mis-aligned and water is dripping directly into the tube. This scenario is not necessarily indicated by water finding it's way above the headline, but scenario #1 does.
The above descriptions are from my 1977, T-37 and may or may not apply to a 1980, T-33 but I hope it helps.
Cheers,
Tom
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top