Details of Cabin Leaks & Wood Rot Discovery in Our 1976 CHB Trawler Boat named "Vestri"

In this video, I review multiple leaks we have discovered in our CHB trawler boat since we bought it in June 2023. These cropped up during sustained heavy rains. Most related to leaking teak hatches and solved for the time being by attaching their Sunbrella covers before heavy rains.
The most concerning is a leak in the main cabin at about the mid-way point on the boat's starboard side. It appears to originate on the flybridge, and water enters the cabin ceiling and then runs along the rafters before running down the wall.
Over the years, it has led to some wood rot. I'm unsure how much, as the ceiling and wall will need to be opened up to explore the extent of the damage. This is looking like a fairly major project. Stay tuned for updates going forward as I first stop the leak and then repair the damage done.
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[@LoveYourRV]

*View my Previous Boating Videos* - kzbin.info/aero/PLp14lzXh07umgor_CHUsKEVC5PMXU4-yQ

[@johnblanton2326]

It is a very nice boat for a 1976, almost half a century old. Once you figure out the ceiling leak and fix it, it will be even better.

[@briangrishaber2543]

I bet Anne was pleased.

[@rodwesley2779]

Boat: a hole in the water that you constantly throw money into 😆. My boat is a 14' canoe that I've modified for fishing and pleasure cruising small lakes and ponds. Obviously, I don't have leakage problems, but I do enjoy watching your adventures (both good and not so good) and have learned a lot from you over the years with our travel trailer. Keep up the good work that you do👍👍

[@jimmclam]

Maybe we shouldn't feel quite so bad because you seem to enjoy doing these maintenance jobs Ray. You WILL get to the bottom of these leaks for sure!

[@LoveYourRV]

haha, yeah, part of me is interested in seeing exactly how the cabin roof is constructed. : )

[@tommackay7433]

But he will eventually find new ones.

[@tommackay7433]

Who didn’t see this coming? Break Out Another Thousand. Pretty boat. Beautiful country. Wow.

[@LoveYourRV]

Only a thousand? Seems way low to me. :)

[@ke6bnl]

I am sure you will solve the problem. Wisk you the best

[@alanpankau2043]

Greetings: I have a 1983 35 CHB. I have similar leaks. I had the same leak you have in the saloon. I found the water was coming from my grab rail on the outside. I noticed it was a little loose. I didn't have time to remove the rail and re-bed the screws so I caulked around the rails and the leaking stopped. I repaired the rotted wood inside with auto body filler and then painted. No more leaking. Later, I will have to remove the grab rail and re-bed the screws. Chasing leaks on these old boats never seems to end. Nice boat. Thanks for the video and good luck with your repairs.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks, I found my leak was coming from where water was pooling in front of the flybridge seats. Did a reseal and leak went away. Got some good rain tests tis fall before I put the boat away for the winter. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roGWonuQobuepa8 Next season I plan to figure out a drain system for those two spots. Cheers! Ray

[@mrc1539]

Ray, I had a leak in my travel trailer ( surprise 😉) and couldn’t find it . I cut a piece of cardboard to fit a window then cut a hole in the cardboard to match a small squirrel cage fan that I had , and with a little duct tape manage to seal it all up and with the fan on I pressurized the inside of the trailer with a couple pounds of air. Then with some soapy water on the outsideI found my leak and a few more. Not sure if this idea will help you but it sure worked for me. Take Care .

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the tip!

[@marciatesch3951]

Good luck, can’t wait to see the fix.

[@howardbrunt9421]

Ray: Great work resealing the bridge. I think that the underlying design issue with the boat is the lack of drainage from the floor at the front corner of the benches (especially on the port side) to that drain gutter that’s within the sides of the bridge. I saw another CHB that had a drain from the floor to that gutter…for unknown reasons this one didn’t have it. Like you, I resealed everything up top and it helped for awhile. I suggest you speak with some other 34 CHB OWNERS and consider putting in the drains. Of course,, having a canvas cover for the bridge seating area is another option…but very expensive. You are a restoration hero!

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks Howard :) I think next spring I'll add some drain holes in the port and starboard corners running into plastic tubes that will run in the hollow walls and all the way to the end drain holes and out.

[@howardbrunt9421]

The other thing to consider, as fibreglass at a "certain age" is prone to micro cracks and holes, is a product called Kiwi Grip (I think). Before I sold the boat, I had an expert fiberglass builder look at the boat and he suggested this product would be a good way to provide solid seal to all the decks. I believe you and I also discussed the rather "stupid" design of the rear-facing bench seats, which allows water to flow in...which is why I built those rather ungainly plywood panels to cover them in case of rain. Another area to pay attention to are the scuppers on the lower deck, which the owner previous to me "repaired" in a rather shoddy way. I tried to reseal them, but I bet there's more that could be done. Regardless, I am so very pleased to see you tackling these leaking issues so that Vestri can last another 50 or so years!@@LoveYourRV

[@timf6916]

You the man Ray. I have confidence that you will figure it out.

[@robertburgess6100]

Water leaks can be a bugger to find sometimes.

[@raybbj]

It feels wrong to give this a thumbs up. But I did anyway.

[@neilrankin9945]

Thanks Ray. I appreciate you sharing the good and bad. I’m wondering if you added sides to your fly fabric if that would reduce rain penetration. Into the fly bridge.

[@LoveYourRV]

Yes, I'm sure an enclosable flybridge would help matters a whole lot. Would be a good upgrade.

[@briangrishaber2543]

The covers work temporally but I’m guessing a more permanent solution is required. Next summer maybe? Leaks are the worst …

[@LoveYourRV]

I've already removed some of the seats to see how its built up there :) Would like to track down the source and reseal and tear out most of the rot before we leave for winter. Then repair and fix things up next spring. we do have a full custom winter cover for the boat so that should help. Cheers, Ray

[@charlesgarthmasters5121]

I did not see any floor drains on the flybridge. Possibly they have been plugged? In general, anywhere that water pools should have a drain.

[@LoveYourRV]

No floor drains, need to add a couple as water tends to collect in a couple places , front seat tops have drains and there are scupper drains on the very outside of the flybridge inside the fiberglass wall ends. I guess incase any water gets into there or condensation. Cheers, Ray

[@bimodal7195]

Wood is good, rot is not. We found water can travel a distance from point of entry to point ot of appearance. In our case, from front corner of flybridge surround to aft corner of rearmost cabin side window. Little drain holes at bottom of Windows intended to drain interior condensation to the exterior can plug and dump the water down the interior wall surface. A very fine wire will serve hear, like the modified coat-hanger on the deck drain. Our current leak at the front port corner of the main cabin over the galley has led me all across the front windows, top and bottom edges and all sidessides

[@bimodal7195]

To continue... sides. Still don't know if I have been successful. We are always seeking ways to amuse ourselves on rainy days, and our boats often provide the answer. Regards, Prowess (1987 Cooper Yachts 9M Prowler Aft.)

[@michelp583]

Hey, Please check any wire ingress. I noticed you do not have a drip loop for them.

[@LoveYourRV]

Thanks for the tip, I checked all wire ingress points, and they are dry behind them. Cheers, Ray

[@freedomfreedom6544]

Old girls need love too :)

[@justsomeguy6474]

B.O.A.T. = Break out another thousand

[@LoveYourRV]

This old saying needs to be update. A grande seems way low these days. ;)

[@jameshamm7911]

Oh the joys (and expense) of boat ownership... :-/