The P42 has two deck level transom lockers aft that I learned were and are a major fresh water leak source port and starboard. Each locker has a drain trough around the lid sill with a drain system so that water will collect around this trough that has two drain holes that routes rain water down and out a through hull.

If these drain ports become clogged as they did in our case water will spill over the trough rim and down into the area beneath the aft cabin berth and into the bilge. It took awhile for me to find the source, but a quick blast with a city water nozzle cleared out the drain ports. At the beginning of each season, when I clean the boat, I use the hose nozzle to clear out that drain system. A heavy rain could easily overwhelm this drain system and could be another source of fresh water in the bilge.

When we first took possession of Belle-Vie and were cleaning her up stem to stern, I noticed that a small well by the rudder quadrant was full of fresh water. Hmmm, source? Pumped all the water out and it remained dry for a few seasons. Then it was full of fresh water again. It was not until I made the connection between the plugged drain port that I discovered the source. It has been dry ever since...six years now.