Leaky Light Fixture

Greetings.

I am getting quite a bit of water dripping from the light fixture directly above my galley sink in my IP 380. Mostly, if not only, from rain (PNW). I haven't really investigated during rough weather when sea water comes onto the deck but the source would be the same regardless.

Possible sources - dorade? sliding hatch? mast boot? poorly bedded deck fitting?

I know I should investigate all of the above but thought maybe someone has had this same experience and identified a common source.

John

I removed the dorade located immediately forward of the light fixture. No way any water can get into that space. I'll wait for warmer weather to remove the hatch cover and investigate that area. Inside the light fixture, there is an approx. 1/2 inch hole that the two DC wires come from. Absolutely no obvious access to where those wires go inside the cabin ceiling.

I found that condensation caused some problems for us

I have a 380 and a water leak at the light fixture over the toilet. I did the usual checks then put sealant in the Portlight drains over which is located over the head. This stopped the leak using both high pressure dock hose and in heavy weather. When we first bought the boat we found one of the port lights the drain hadn’t been welded correctly and leaked internally. I have two to remove and check.

I don't think it is condensation although that may be a possibility. The condensation would have to collect inside the head liner and that seems unlikely. We have never experienced any significant condensation inside the cabin. I know that water can move a good distance from ingress to egress and that can make tracing the source difficult. I'll take a good look at the deck hatch seals and port lights.

Thank you both.

Check the sealant under the chain plate fittings on the capriail - it degrades & fails over time. Needs S/s being treated with bonding solution before recaulking.
Check mast boot.

John,

Did you find the source? I have a new to me 2005 IP420 with a similar issue. My firt consideration is that it is the port light located fwd and above it.

Steve

Hi Steve. No, I have not solved this problem, it is very intermittent and here we are in the dry season. Do you mean hatch? The light is on my ceiling so no port lights "above" it.

Thanks John,
Mine was a light over the head sink, so a low light. Not the same as yours.
Traced it to the port light, which we pulled and rebedded. Hopefully that fixes it.

Thank you,
Steve
SV Hope & Glory