Leaks only underway

Submitted by James Titus on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 22:17
Forums: 
Maintenance, Repairs, Changes, and Upgrades

My Scot 3430 does not leak at moorng,  but water enters when underway.  It is not bad, like a cup evcry 5 minutes,only on the left side of the centerboard trunk.  I can't tell the source,bot it seems to be near the tabernacle throughbolts.  Is it possible that water sloshing around in the cboard trunk is coming in that way?Any thoughts on how to fix this?  

FS5516's picture

FS5516

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 22:44

I would check the drain hose from the seats to the rear of the boat.  It's possible water is entering through the drain on the stern if the hose is off the pipe.

James Titus's picture

James Titus

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 17:46

I will check this out in the a.m., just in case.   This would explain water only on port side.

sawyerspadre

Thu, 04/05/2012 - 12:54

If you don't find the leak, I would call Harry.  The stanchion bolts go throught the front of the keel section that is in front of the CB trunk.  Those bolts should not be exposed to water, unless the water is inside the boat.  The tip on the seat drain hoses is a good lead.  i would look at that side.If you really think it is the bolts, you could remove them, only one at a time, goop up the holes, all the way through with 3M 5200 Sealant and then put them back in.  5200 will make them waterproof.  The catch is that with 5200, you will not be able to get them back out, ever, in all likelihood.  Take only one out at a time, to keep the tabernacle holes aligned.I would doubt very much that is were the water is entering.  I find that water in the boat comes from 3 places:1 Rain2 Spray/Splash in breezy conditions, especially upwind in chop.3 CapsizeA leaky plug could do it.  Look at the plug and the smooth edges of the drain hole.  If they are not so smooth, that could be it. 

James Titus's picture

James Titus

Thu, 04/05/2012 - 19:48

I'l check the plug, but there is not a drop at mooring, but easy to check that one.  Thanks.

James Titus's picture

James Titus

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 20:48

Drain tubes are not leaking, dry there.  Bow is dry, no leak there.  Leak appears to be coming through those Tabernacle bolts.   What is the contact information for Harry?   I am hesitant to "weld" the bolts in with permant sealant.   Ideas?

sawyerspadre

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 21:44

Click the FS Inc link on the left menu. Harry is very helpful. I am still having a tough time imagining water coming in through these bolts.

Harry will know how to remedy the problem.

1-800-864-7208

Phil

James Titus's picture

James Titus

Mon, 04/30/2012 - 14:16

Thanks for the Contact with Harry.  We had a nice discussion.  He said there could be a crack in the trunk that could be letting water in.  I will check with some strips of paper towel taped on the next time out.  1st repair might be to remove the leaky bolt and inject a sealant/epoxy under pressure and look to see if it seeps out, when hardened, drill out the hole and reinstall the bolt.2nd idea would be to add shoring to support the deck and then remove the stantion (what I refer to as the tabernacle) and locate the leak below it.  Seal the leak and then re-install the stantion.I'll report back after the next sail.

James Titus's picture

James Titus

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 18:21

I taped some paper towels to various spots and found the leak.  Not the Stantion, yeah!   The water appears 20" forward of the stantion center of the boat, a bit up on the sides of the raised "keel"  the forward end of the centerboard trunk.  My boat has what appears to be a fasterner (bolt?) through the two halves of the centerboard at this point, and this fastener is glassed over. Any thoughts of what would be best options for repair?  Thanks for the great advice so far.  Sorry to have spent more time sailing than attending to this leak that only occurs when whe put enough weight in the boat to cause the leak.