R25SC Cabin Roof Leak

[capnlmk]

We bought a R25SC from the factory last July. We had a long, hot, completely dry summer, so it wasn't until the rains began in the fall that we noticed a drip right in the middle of the cabin -- right underneath the "smokestack."

We didn't have a chance to do much troubleshooting before we had to put her under the shed for the winter. Ranger says they will help get it fixed when we dewinterize and bring her out in the spring.

But before I buy a gallon of 5200 and caulk every spot I can find, I thought I would ask here if anyone has had a similar problem with a R25SC and/or what would be the most likely places to look for the leak in the cabin roof. As any of you who have ever tried troubleshooting a leak in the deck or cabin roof of a boat know, where the water is dripping inside may bear little relation to where the water is getting in. Any helpful hints would be most appreciated.

--Lawrence Killingsworth
Skipper, Tugboat Scuttlebutt

 

[hughesdave123]

I pulled of my stack and re sealed the areas where the wires come into the cabin for fear of a leak . I used marine expanding foam to make sure It got where it needed to be.

 

[snydzy]

I also had a leak in my 25sc last summer...drove me nuts. The problem with leaks are they don't always show themselves at the source.... a drip in the center of the cabin can be from a leak from the front or side, but the water can track above the headliner backer and exit in a completely different spot where two panels join, a hole is cut, etc. If the boat is on a trailer, just raising or lowering the tongue can change where a leak presents itself. My leak would present itself after a heavy rain, sometimes on the port outboard side helm floor, sometimes on the starboard helm floor, sometimes above the television, (where the headliners has a seam), sometimes just a trickle on the windshield. After a lot of frustration, I finally discovered the culprit was the "waterproof clamshell" that the cables from the radar mast utilized. Water was wicking down the cables and entering thru the rubber grommet that had been sliced to accept the cables. It had been oriented incorrectly. The water just followed the wires right into the cabin. Try removing the interior frames around the hatch closest to your leak, just 8 screws. It will allow you to access the space above the headliner. From there it's trial and error, but common sense must prevail. Water runs down. There are very few spots water can collect on the cabin roof. Your leak seems to be in the area of the tv antenna. I am always amazed how much water can collect with such a small little hole. :roll:
Regards,

 

[Brian B]

I was told by the factory that every screw that holds the smoke stack on needs to be sealed. I used LifeSeal and it has worked. Also every wire going into the stack needs sealant, I used silicone on the wires. Do not use 5200, you may have to remove things some day.
The boat is under warranty, let the dealer fix it. When they say it is fixed run a hose on the cabin roof for a couple of hours to be sure.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Fortunately it is really quite easy for us to find leaks on the R25SC. We will coordinate with a local yard to help us address your issue Lawrence. This is not something you will need to worry about fixing yourself.

Let me know when you are getting ready for the season and I will start working with the local guys.

Thank you,

Andrew Custis

 

[capnlmk]

Thanks, everyone, for our comments.
And to you and Ranger, Andrew. I'll contact you when spring arrives over on this side of the mountains and we'll make a plan.
I'd certainly rather not try to find/fix it myself, after the experience I had with chasing annoying deck leaks on my 46-foot ketch -- before I became a tugboater.
All the best to all of you.
--lmk