To get to the lower gudgeon nuts I installed an inspection port on the wall of the flotation compartment from inside the starboard locker. There will be some foam to dig out. Have fun getting in the locker and working.
Makes you wonder why there wasn't provisions made for that when they designed the boat. I guess you can't think of everything. Having worked in industry for 40+ years I know engineers can design great things on paper but in the real world they don't work as planned. (my apologies to my engineering buddies ) That being said I will explore all options before cutting.That port would make it easier to get access to the upper gudgeon nuts but I don't think you can get to the lowers. There might be an easier way to get to the lower nuts than my idea but you have get into that flotation compartment under the cockpit sole somehow. Do some investigating before cutting a hole in your boat.
Makes you wonder why there wasn't provisions made for that when they designed the boat. I guess you can't think of everything. Having worked in industry for 40+ years I know engineers can design great things on paper but in the real world they don't work as planned. (my apologies to my engineering buddies ) That being said I will explore all options before cutting.
I recently joined a Sirius owners forum on yahoo groups. One owner had a leak and tracked it down to the anchor locker drain tubing. The amount of water I was getting had to be coming from a source greater than the few small leaks I was getting from the chain plates and stanchions. The tubing was leaking at the anchor locker and also was leaking because the tubing going through the hull was not sealed correctly. The water was going between the inner and outer hull and collecting under the sink and other bilge compartments.Interesting enough, but I also have the same water accumulation under the sink. The rest of the boat is bone dry. I actually just recently found the water and dried it out. Then a couple weeks later it was back. My Sirius 21 sits on its trailer at the marina. It was sitting on a sloped spot, slightly lower on port side and bow down. Unlike most boats, the drains are forward in the cockpit and anchor locker. If I leave it with the stern lower, it fills up with water. I went to go sailing this weekend but my motor wasn't pumping water, impeller is wasted. Anyway, i moved it to a flatter storage spot this time, thinking that was why it was getting water under the port side compartment. I looked real good and all ports and openings show no signs of leakage. I'm moving the boat to a wet slip near New Bern in March and definitely dont need any leaks. It's just interesting that at least three of us have water in the same place. I'll update if i find the source of the water.
I got the thru hulls from west marine and they use 5/8 tubing. Hopefully this will eliminate most of my water problems.Ahh yes, that makes sense. I have looked at the anchor locker drain and thought it was a bit cheesy. It does drain to outside but who knows if some is going into the hull. I see a thru hull project in the near future.
I assume you sail Albemarle? Hopefully nice to find another Sirius in NC. I've only been in lakes so far but planning on spending 2015 on the Neuse. Have you had any travels that way? I'm also wondering about my motor. I only have a 3.5 now and thinking I need bigger one to handle the currents.
Good luck finding your leak. They seem to be hard to find. I put a tarp over my boat and I am dry at the moment. I know that the deck hardware needs rebedding so maybe I can get the leaks stopped. Looking forward to getting mine in the water. The Albemarle is shallow in spots so it can get rough. Only about 20 ft or so In the channel. Still a great place to sail.I checked on my boat today. Once again found water under sink, though only about a 1/4 in the lowest corner. We haven't had much rain. But the next few days will be rainy. I checked the anchor drain. I dont see how it could be leaking. There's a nice access to the drain so I could inspect it easily. The opening is closed at the bottom so it would hold the water if it leaked there, but was bone dry with a couple stink bugs in it. I should've taken some pictures. I have no clue where the water is coming from. I only saw a single drop on a thru bolt from the deck rail. But the cushions below are dry. I'll check it over the weekend in the rain.
I just bought my boat last year, I've had it out only a few times and Only had good wind on it once. It sails good, you'll be pleased. Once I got rid of the hum, I was grinnin. Can't wait to get her in some chop.
Hey slogfish. Did you have any luck finding your leaks. I have re-bedded deck hardware on the port side and some on the starboard side. Still getting leaks on the port side. The only thing that hasn't been done is the cleat on the bow. Don't know how the water is getting in as I had my wife spay water on the boat as I watched inside for leaks. Everything seemed ok. The area where the leak is occurring (under the sink) has all been re-bedded. Still baffled.
that work looks great ...but i noticed you have only 1 clamp on the hose it would be in your best interest if you used 2 clampsI have rebedded the chain plates with the butyl rubber and plan on doing the same to the stanchions for the life line. While in the process I noticed daylight coming in from a fitting on the bow and it was coming from a misguided hole that was drilled for the pulpit base. After rebedding no daylight was seen.
I replaced the tubing in the chain locker with a thru hull fitting in the locker and a stainless thru hull for the bow.
Took the old thru hull for the sink out and replaced it with a new one.Used the adapter from straight threads to tapered treads so I could replace the ball valve if needed. Sealed the whole thing with 5200 silicone ,hope it doesn't leak or I will suffer trying to get it back apart.
Got a new bronze valve on ebay for about 6 bucks. Same internals as the one the marine supply houses sell only difference is the handle which is not stainless. Rebuilt the whale pump and new sink strainer and tubing for the drain.
Painted the inside of the lockers and the covers with Rustoleum Topsider paint. One coat was sufficient.
Hoping to get the boat in the water next week and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Nice fix.. mine has the exact same type of piece of wood and bronze fitting and someone put on a round handle turning valve, i'll replace in the 'off season' here in NE Ohio.Never thought about it. Probably a good idea!
Thanks for the info... laid everything out in the yard, what came wrapped and I do have a main sail and that is all. now I'm learning to 'raise' the mast. it will sometimes be by my self. i'll make a "X or a Y shape out of 2 by 4s to raise the mast somewhat up in the air, and then see how easy..hard it is to raise rest of way. I got to run to the hardware store and buy the 'bolts' gizmo to secure the mast cables to the gizmos attached to the boat. looks like 1/4 -20 size type. I'll continue to review the internet and anxious to go on the water... Lake Erie out my back yard... BUT only on a CALM day... which looks like it might be awhile.Welcome old salt! Don't know what chain you are referring to but the chain plates secure the shrouds (cables that secure the mast) to the boat. They usually run through the deck and are securely fastened to the hull by bolts ect. They seems to leak over time and need to be re-bedded.
Search on you tube and you will find lots of good videos on sailing and it's techniques.
The main sail is the one that runs up the aft side of the mast. The jib sail or foresail will be secured to the forestay or the cable securing the mast to the bow of the boat.
Good to have both.
Gary