I almost hate to have an answer, but are these outline cracks something to be concerned about ? I had not seen them until we had the keel bolts torqued to spec. Thanks all……
2004 Hunter 41 Bilge Cracks
- Thread starter spadaforaj
- Start date
Or tabbing.
No grounding?
It looks dry. There's sealant around the keel stub to keel joint. I doubt it's compromised. You could grab a mask and take a look at the outside. That might make you feel better - or not. There could well be a smile there but what would that mean?
You're in the NE so you'll likely be hauling soon. You can have a more definitive look at then.
Or you could ask whoever torqued the bolts to have a look. Chip out some of loose stuff and see what's underneath.
No grounding?
It looks dry. There's sealant around the keel stub to keel joint. I doubt it's compromised. You could grab a mask and take a look at the outside. That might make you feel better - or not. There could well be a smile there but what would that mean?
You're in the NE so you'll likely be hauling soon. You can have a more definitive look at then.
Or you could ask whoever torqued the bolts to have a look. Chip out some of loose stuff and see what's underneath.
Thanks - some groundings but in soft mud at low speed (Chesapeake bay and Pamlico sound, mostly) Its dry because I had just emptied it out - but the water that was there mostly looked and tasted like freshwater (vs bay water), maybe condensate from defrosting fridge or some rain water making its way to the bilge. I'll take a real close look at the hull to keel joint when it comes out, alot of paint over it, but it needs a sanding and new paint anyway - guess that is the best plan then.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,753
That
Have you ever bumped a car fender. We name it a fender bender. Even though no damage is apparent the bolted parts can get misaligned. That normally smooth car line gets a little distorted.
Your keel sits 5 to 6 feet beneath the hull like a teeter totter. The hull joint is in the middle. There is some giveaway (flexibility) but not a lot. The system is not designed to repeatedly be tested.
That is why inspection is recommended after all groundings.
The old long keel boats were more forgiving. They could be beached and not be damaged as the keel was an integral part of the hull.
That is what I would do. Inspection is the best practice. Grounding is a grounding be it soft or a hard stop.
Have you ever bumped a car fender. We name it a fender bender. Even though no damage is apparent the bolted parts can get misaligned. That normally smooth car line gets a little distorted.
Your keel sits 5 to 6 feet beneath the hull like a teeter totter. The hull joint is in the middle. There is some giveaway (flexibility) but not a lot. The system is not designed to repeatedly be tested.
That is why inspection is recommended after all groundings.
The old long keel boats were more forgiving. They could be beached and not be damaged as the keel was an integral part of the hull.
I've got similar concerns on a newish to me 1996 29.5. Has never had a dry bilge, the shaft packing, bad oring in AC raw water strainer and a hatch helped a LOT.
Now chasing what seems miniscule leakage, but the bilge pump will eventually run while I'm away. I'd estimate ~1 gallon per day, once the pump runs it's hard to say (no check valve) and it never goes below about 2 inches of clear water unattended.
Doing my sleuthing and found it coming from this stringer, ahead of the from keel bolt. Poking with a screwdriver and it was pretty soft, which let out a few cups of black water. FWIW this bit of fingerglass isn't part of the grid bonded to the hull - its a small tab with a hollow behind it. kind of suspect this hollow has been freezing solid in winter.
I know the boat has a history of leakage down the mast steel/ compression tube and also hatches.. But also some sandy groundings.... And i think i have a freshwater leak too. Ugh.
Any tips on inspecting the keel joint this winter haul? Or ruling out leakage from above, simply accumulating in the stringer? I should get a salinity tester.. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to taste this...
Now chasing what seems miniscule leakage, but the bilge pump will eventually run while I'm away. I'd estimate ~1 gallon per day, once the pump runs it's hard to say (no check valve) and it never goes below about 2 inches of clear water unattended.
Doing my sleuthing and found it coming from this stringer, ahead of the from keel bolt. Poking with a screwdriver and it was pretty soft, which let out a few cups of black water. FWIW this bit of fingerglass isn't part of the grid bonded to the hull - its a small tab with a hollow behind it. kind of suspect this hollow has been freezing solid in winter.
I know the boat has a history of leakage down the mast steel/ compression tube and also hatches.. But also some sandy groundings.... And i think i have a freshwater leak too. Ugh.
Any tips on inspecting the keel joint this winter haul? Or ruling out leakage from above, simply accumulating in the stringer? I should get a salinity tester.. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to taste this...
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Well well well..
Pulling on the line for the galley table counterweight..as i let it drop (which would pressurize underneath it a bit...).. Wasn't expecting that
Pulling on the line for the galley table counterweight..as i let it drop (which would pressurize underneath it a bit...).. Wasn't expecting that