Salt Water Leak/very small

[dave davis]

New Type of Leak in The Bilge
After years of searching, I have finally isolated a leak that has been very illusive. This is a saltwater leak that I have pinpointed coming from the forward keel bolt under the washer and from the cross-over drain hole that connects the main bilge to the forward bilge. Remember, I have a Mk 1, 1988.
 After drying the bilges VERY DRY, I can see a drop of water forming first, coming from under the washer in about two minutes and than from the cross-over drain hole in about another two to three minutes. The rate of this leak is about 8 ounces per week. Not much, but for a person that likes to see spiders in the bilge, it’s a bummer.
I’m pretty sure it is originating from the seam that connects the hull stub to the keel. I’ve been fighting that seam for years without much success. During haul-outs, I’ve tried all types of filler gook, tried to keep the weight on the forward part of the keel, tighten all the bolts to 125 pd, held vacuum-cleaner hose to the seam, tried heat guns, written a letter to Butler for suggestions, but so far nothing has worked. Now, that I know it is not just a cosmetic problem, I will have to do something more drastic on my next haul. I feel that it must be stopped because water may find it’s way into the wood block that supports the mast. If that happens it may cause wood rot. I certainly do not wish to drop and re-bed the keel for obvious reasons $…
If I am missing something or if you have a suggestion, no matter how far out, let me hear from you.
Dave Davis-
 :rolleyes:

[Mike Smith]

Dave -

Breezer is hauled out at the moment, and I want to have the keel bolts torqued to the correct value - is 125 pd standard? What is "pd"?

Mike

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer
www.mikejansmith.com

[Ted Pounds]

Dave,

This spring after filling the 'smile' again I covered it with fiberglas tape and WEST epoxy.  Then sanded and faired.  We'll see how it looks at haulout in the fall.  You might try removing the nut and putting some Gluvit (thin epoxy made to stop small leaks) around the bolt, then retorque the nut.

Ted

[dave davis]

Mike, the PD is wrong. The 125 should be in foot pounds. It came from a guide that the yard had based on the size of the nut and bolt. A search back on thus subject you will see that the CY recomends somewhat lower, about 105 Ft-Pds. Thanks for your suggestions.

[rirvine]

OK  - I am going to play Stu.  Try a search on "keel bolts".  It will tell you lots including all I know about this problem.