www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All, I am at my wits end with a water issue I am having with my 2007 358 Vista. For the past 4 seasons I have been chasing a water leak. Water is accumulating in the interstitial space between the hull and the floor liner and in to the engine compartment. Water seeps out of a seam between the hull and the hull liner (port side). I originally thought it was a below waterline leak and have pulled and sealed the Gen and AC through hulls, the trim tables, the strut supports, drain plug, and depth finder transducer. I use a shop vac to remove the water as it accumulates. I removed three gallons from the engine compartment and three gallons from the Gen and AC sea cock compartment through a screw hole today. (it has been three weeks since I last vacuumed the water. It has been raining heavily in the last few weeks. I do have a covered slip but the wind still blows rain on the boat.)

I have now determined that the water is coming in from above the waterline. I feel it is rain water that is getting in. While getting ready to launch this spring the boat was sitting in the rain for several days with the cockpit cover in place. Water was back between the hull. I had evacuated all of the water the fall. I have sealed the anchor locker floor joints (but have never had standing water in there or see how it could get in the locker.) I have been behind every panel I can remove looking for signs of leaking water. Possible locations for water intrusion - Windshield, Radar Arch, railing mounts, rub rail, fill fittings - fuel, waste, water. I have investigated the water tank, pump lines, waste tank. I never loose pressure on the water pump so I feel that pressurized side of the system is not leaking. The AC pump condensate tray looks solid and I do not see any water around it.

Has anyone had a similar situation? It is driving me crazy.

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2007 358 Vista

Water seeps out of a seam between the hull and the hull liner (port side)?

Not sure what you are referring to.

Have you ever opened up your engine room when it's raining to see where the rain gets in?

Are you getting water in the forward bilge area?

Do you use your shower? I just finished a battle where the window in the head was leaking onto the floor behind the toilet than leaking into the forward bilge. The head doubles as a shower but was not well sealed.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

I have inboards and just below the V drive transmission there is an area that has exposed hull fiberglass. The way the hull and liner are constructed is the hull is made and then there is a gel coat tub set in the hull. There is a caulk joint between the fiberglass hull and the gel coat tub. Water leaks or seaps in at this joint. This is where I can't see how the water gets between hull and the fiberglass tub. The cabin floor is constructed using a similar method. I have crawled in any area that I could get at have removed panel looking for signs of leaking water. Everything looks clean. No streaks. I am suspecting the window frame and will probably take it apart to seal the screws.

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2007 358 Vista

Have you looked at the head vent? We had a leak around the vent where the caulk was missing and water was running in between the vent and the hull. The water ended up in the gap you described. I realize this is on the starboard side but its worth a look.

I have found several spots to check inside the hull. One of the best is to remove the table mount in the cabin. You can see below the liner and this may give you a better sense of which direction it is coming from.

I know trying to track these leaks down will drive you crazy. Best of luck.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Do you have any concerns with this water freezing and expanding over the winter? Not sure if this area would drain out when the bilge drain plug is pulled after a winter haul out?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Thanks for the post. I agree that frozen water between the hulls would not be a great idea. I plan on vacuuming the water out prior to storage. It is then transported to inside storage after a quick winterization.

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2007 358 Vista