I don't know if this exists on any other boat, but...
My E39 (1976 flush deck) has a sealed compartment where the companionway slider hatch slides into (like most sailboats). The problem is that rainwater also disappears into this recess, from either side of the hatch (opening is about 1/2 inch either side and on top of the hatch itself).
It looks like, at one time, there may have been weep holes port & stbd of this recess, about 1/2 inch diameter, but they were caulked up and epoxied over long ago. We discovered these while doing significant core repair in this area from underneath. It's possible that plugging these holes could have caused the problem in the first place, but what problem would have caused someone to plug them up???
If these were weep holes, they don't seem to be ideal, as they could allow water that splashes onto the deck drain INTO the weep hole from the outside while underway. Perhaps I'm missing something though.
My questions: 1) Does anyone else out there have either these weep holes or have problems with water draining into the companionway slider hatch recess? and; 2) Any thoughts on how best to keep this area clean & dry?
I'll try posting pictures next time I'm at the boat. Thanks!
My E39 (1976 flush deck) has a sealed compartment where the companionway slider hatch slides into (like most sailboats). The problem is that rainwater also disappears into this recess, from either side of the hatch (opening is about 1/2 inch either side and on top of the hatch itself).
It looks like, at one time, there may have been weep holes port & stbd of this recess, about 1/2 inch diameter, but they were caulked up and epoxied over long ago. We discovered these while doing significant core repair in this area from underneath. It's possible that plugging these holes could have caused the problem in the first place, but what problem would have caused someone to plug them up???
If these were weep holes, they don't seem to be ideal, as they could allow water that splashes onto the deck drain INTO the weep hole from the outside while underway. Perhaps I'm missing something though.
My questions: 1) Does anyone else out there have either these weep holes or have problems with water draining into the companionway slider hatch recess? and; 2) Any thoughts on how best to keep this area clean & dry?
I'll try posting pictures next time I'm at the boat. Thanks!
