2018 R29-CB head overhead light water leak

[PlanetoSea]

Hello,

In the head on our 2018 R29-CB, we have water slowly dripping on the mirror that is on the hull wall, and it is leaking slowly from the overhead light that is right above the mirror. It's not a major leak at all, with a rate of a drip maybe every 20-30 seconds, so during a night of rain, it will just about fill a soup bowl placed there to catch the water. I suspect the leak is from somewhere around the portal window, but I have not removed the screws and the portal window to look around. I figured I'd check here first and see if anyone else has had a leak here and found a source that I can check. Also, if anyone has removed that portal hatch/window, was there anything to it I need to watch for or have handy to put it all back together again correctly so I don't create a leak if that is not the source now? Taking all advice and recommendations...

 

[Ralf H]

Hi PlanetoSea,

Best thing to do would be to check the rectangular portlight right over the light that is showing the leak. You may have a leak in that area that is then able to work its way down to that light. The fiberglass in that area is two layers from the deck layer and the v-berth head liner. So there is a gap that a leak can travel unnoticed until it works its way down into an area that allows it to leak. And that of course being the lights. When you remove the portlight, you will see that it is a relatively straightforward process. You will see that the portlight has an inner bezel that essentially holds the portlight in, in sort of a sandwich fashion. Just make sure you seal the entire perimeter of the outer portion of the portlight where it meets the fiberglass. You will see the remains of the old sealant and that should give you the right idea. Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Ralf

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Had the identical leak, although it took some rough seas or a bout with a pressure washer to get it going. You are going to have to remove the outside cover on the porthole and then rebed it. Or you can just try to caulk the heck out of it and hope for the best. Watch out that you don't break the outside trim piece surrounding the porthole. They get brittle in the sun.

 

[PlanetoSea]

Thank you for both answers. I'll give it a shot and report back what I find. Thanks again!

 

[Robjen]

I am having the same leak this year. Did you end up taking out the window? If so, was that difficult.

 

[Mastercraft]

Had same problem - Look for fine cracks in outside window caulking. Re-caulk with best black RTV from Autozone. No need to “caulk the heck” out of it. Check with garden hose.

 

[Morelords]

We've had the same issue on our 2020 R29-CB. For us, the gasket on the inside wasn't seating properly and just needed adjustment (i.e. just pushed back onto the plastic flange all the way around). Perhaps try that first before you remove the portlight & reseal.

One thing I don't like about the head portlight is that water pools up against the window and just sits there. FYI, there are portlights with scupper drains build into the frame so the ponding won't happen. One company that offers them is New Found Metals based in Port Townsend, Washington:

https://newfoundmetals.com/product/rectangular-ss-portlight/

I haven't done this replacement yet and haven't researched how what they offer would fit our R29, but they have several different sizes to choose from. Also not sure if they would work with the thickness of hull. Just a thought though.

-Mike