This is my first winter with my 1989 E34. Rainwater leaks into the V-birth on the starboard side. The leak manifests itself where the vinyl liner meets the birth horizontal surface about 2/3 of the way back from the front of the birth.
I have found several posts in the archives about similar leaks and am still working on isolating the source (ruled out cable passthrough in pulpet and first stanchion, looking into anchor locker and rub rail next).
However, I was concerned about the extent of damage so I pulled the staples from the bottom edge of the liner to see behind. Of course the wood strip was soaked and much of the foam backing was wet. Upon removal of the foam near the wettest area I found delaminated fiberglass. I see water moving behind the loose fiberglass when I press on it. My surveyor went over the hull and deck thoroughly last summer, but her focus was mainly on the deck and the hull below the water line.
Has anyone else seen similar damage from these leaks near the bow? Once the leak is solved and the hull has had time to dry, what is the best way to assess if the fiberglass needs repair? Is a moisture meter and hammer (and a good ear) sufficient, or does this type of damage mean repairing the fiberglass is a must?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I have found several posts in the archives about similar leaks and am still working on isolating the source (ruled out cable passthrough in pulpet and first stanchion, looking into anchor locker and rub rail next).
However, I was concerned about the extent of damage so I pulled the staples from the bottom edge of the liner to see behind. Of course the wood strip was soaked and much of the foam backing was wet. Upon removal of the foam near the wettest area I found delaminated fiberglass. I see water moving behind the loose fiberglass when I press on it. My surveyor went over the hull and deck thoroughly last summer, but her focus was mainly on the deck and the hull below the water line.
Has anyone else seen similar damage from these leaks near the bow? Once the leak is solved and the hull has had time to dry, what is the best way to assess if the fiberglass needs repair? Is a moisture meter and hammer (and a good ear) sufficient, or does this type of damage mean repairing the fiberglass is a must?
Thanks in advance for any advice.