Water on shelf at helm

pcmpete

I have water collecting on the shelf at the helm.   I took the panels out and it was bone dry in there.  How is the water getting in there?

aero3113

I’ve never had water in mine. No other areas around it are wet? Maybe running down from the area in font of your VHF?(coming from the windshield area and running down). Shown in red below.

pcmpete

Everywhere else is dry and no sign of water marks.  

The shelf is recessed in under the helm.  If water came from the VHF area it would go straight down on to the deck.  I am thinking of putting toilet paper in different areas to see if any get wet.  

YYZRC

I had water in there a couple of times on my 330.  Never did figure it out.  I think @aero3113 might be on the right path tho - try pouring a bit of water there.  I think the water might curl around and under to the shelf.

Pat310

Maybe sprinkle some baby powder around the area so water tracks are easier to see

MarkB

Spray and watch ... you'll find the problem.

Spyderweb

I definitely get water in my 330 shelf after a pretty good rain.  Often enough that I’ll empty my stuff out of it before any forecast rain at night when I’m staying overnight.  I think it’s coming in similar to @aero3113 drawing.  Mine actually had a drain hole drilled in the back right corner.  Don’t know but I assumed the drain was original.

YYZRC

My 330 also had a drain hole, same spot.

MarkB

YYZRC said:

My 330 also had a drain hole, same spot.

I'd think that is the easy solution, and surprised a drain hole isn't in there in the first place for the OP,

YYZRC

I think it'd be a chore to add a hole after the fact.  You'd have to wedge a drill into the helm station somehow!

pcmpete

When I find the source and path the water takes, I could add a diverter so the water goes to the deck and away from the shelf 

MH342

Here’s a couple tricks I’ve used to channel and divert water. The first is self adhesive automotive chrome trim. You can get it in different sizes and profiles. The second is this awesome stuff called sugru. They call it “moldable glue”. I’ve used it in a few areas in the boat and it holds up well.  In both cases prep the surface with acetone to remove any wax or oils. 

MarkB

YYZRC said:

I think it'd be a chore to add a hole after the fact.  You'd have to wedge a drill into the helm station somehow!

You can't drill it from underneath? Isn't the bottom of that shelf exposed?

LaRea

Don't drill a hole unless you know where the water would go.  I suspect it would drain into someplace bad.  Otherwise, there would already be a drain hole.  

YYZRC

No it’s all molded.  It drains into the area behind the helm station and pools directly below the binnacle.  Certainly not ideal.

Spyderweb

@YYZRC, how would you see where it pools?  Would you take out a dash panel?  I’ve always worried about where that water ended up.

YYZRC

Just remove the speaker below the binnacle and you'll see some gross stuff!