Deck hatch on Vipermax 7

[Hightower]

I tried out my new transducer position at the weekend and was spot on with a little loss at 40 knotts.

[Richard Selman]

Don't need the dimensions now Gotchiguy. Went to the garage, picked up the drill, closed my eyes and squeezed the trigger. Trepanning tool struggled with the deck coating (sparks flying everywhere of the grit) so ended up cutting it out bit by bit with a 1.5" hole cutter. 11 power file belts later it was done.

Glad I did it - there was about 2 pints of water down there. Nothing getting through to the wood it would appear.

Thought I would see through to the transom but there is a bulkhead at the front of the sump. Was going to put a drain plug on the transom but there's not much point with the hull sloping up by virtue of the planing pad. Its a sponge down the hole I think. 2 pints in 3 years not too concerning though. Will back pressure the hatch and see whether the leak is visible.

Will send photos once the mess is cleared up.

Richard

[BogMonster]

As far as I remember the anchor locker on a Vipermax drains into the under deck cavity so that's probably where your water came from? - wet anchor rope?

I've not used my anchor yet so not verified that but I think it drains into there - it doesn't drain anywhere else anyway. Mine has a transom drain bung fitted but it is completely dry in there so I've not used it yet.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

As far as I remember the anchor locker on a Vipermax drains into the under deck cavity so that's probably where your water came from? - wet anchor rope?

Don't think so, dood. The deck on the VM is sealed and runs flat all the way through the anchor locker.

[BogMonster]

Ah. I thought mine had a drain hole out the bottom ... dodgy memory maybe. Must have a look, if I can be bothered to haul the anchor etc out, which I probably can't

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Don't think so, dood. The deck on the VM is sealed and runs flat all the way through the anchor locker.

My anchor locker was completely sealed and I fitted a drain to the rear of it above deck to allow drainage if needed.

The water probably got in to the transom boxes though rubber cable grommets or those stupid deck hatches that don't really seal watertight and the level has risen higher than the tops of the under deck cable ducting that's inside.

[Richard Selman]

I would have thought the ducting was continuous. Might be going down the outside of the ducting. My bet is the fixing points for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats.

Got another 3 pints out last night when I jacked the nose right up.

Richard

[Erin]

I get a little bit in my bilge, which I have assumed gets past the deck hatch. As Hightower says, they really don't seal very well. I also get water in my transom boxes. I thought I'd found the weak point which was a gap between the tubes and the box right next to the deck flange. However, having filled that with silicone, it still gets in somehow. Love to know where.

[Richard Selman]

Bogmonster/Hightower - are you using through-hull transducers? Straight through which means that the beam is point aft a bit or angled so its vertical (or a little forward)?

Richard

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

I would have thought the ducting was continuous. Might be going down the outside of the ducting. My bet is the fixing points for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats.

Got another 3 pints out last night when I jacked the nose right up.

Richard

I think you might find some drain holes in there somewhere. I certainly wouldn't want my cables, hoses etc sitting continuously in water.