Fountaine Pajot Belize maintenance issue

[Pete Chambliss]

The starboard side engine room was flooding. An extensive check of the engine showed no leaks from hoses or pumps or sail drive, or rudder shaft. Over several weeks, it appeared that it was weather related - heavy storm in came the water and not just a drip rate. During a rain squal, I checked the engine room and there was a small steady stream of water coming in off the shelf with the house battery bank. looked for any leaks but there were none visible from above. Lifted up access hatch in the cockpit and found 6 plus inches of water in that storage area. Obviously the drain holes in the forward edge of the compartment had clogged up. I got to the starboard drain hole by removing the storage cubby from the saloon bulkhead, unclogged the hole and it drained out and no more leak into the engine. The port drain hole is almost impossible to reach by hand. a long stick helped clear that drain. That saloon access also allows an easy check to the stearing cable/lines and the hose status to the manual bilge pump. So another item to add to list for our preventative maintenance list. Also keep tthat storage area clean