For the past 3 years, following every rainstorm, I end up with a small but annoying quantity of water in the bilge of my Mac 22 After thouroughly investigating every deck penetration, port,and hatch over the course of 2 seasons, I discovered that water is coming in through the cockpit sole. I'm guessing micro-cracks in the glass and wear from the stress of 30 years worth of sailing. (I can see light coming throught the cocpit sole when lying in the quarter berths)What is the simplest way to fix? Considering the age of the boat, and seeing as I prefer to sail rather than turn my driveway into a boatyard, I'm looking for a relatively easy do-it-yourself solution that will both strengthen the sole and eliminate the pint of water in the boat followning every rain. Oh,yeah-and have it look decent. Can I do something from underneath? Was hoping there might be a "resin-head" out there with a good suggestion? Troy
Cockpit leak
- Thread starter Troy Adams
- Start date
- Status
Guessing
If you are truely guessing on where the leak might be, try this. Stop up the scuppers and flood the cockpit -- then check for real leaks that you can see.
If you are truely guessing on where the leak might be, try this. Stop up the scuppers and flood the cockpit -- then check for real leaks that you can see.
Leak testing ......
Suggestion for leak discovery..... Seal all outside lockers and hatches etc. with duct tape Put shop vac or leaf blower into dorade or vent etc. and slightly 'pressurize' the boat. Spill a mix of simple dishwasher detergent and water over all possible leak sites ..... and watch for bubbles. Any place that issues bubbles when the boat is pressurized will show exactly where the leaks are ....... simple.
Suggestion for leak discovery..... Seal all outside lockers and hatches etc. with duct tape Put shop vac or leaf blower into dorade or vent etc. and slightly 'pressurize' the boat. Spill a mix of simple dishwasher detergent and water over all possible leak sites ..... and watch for bubbles. Any place that issues bubbles when the boat is pressurized will show exactly where the leaks are ....... simple.
Thanks for the suggestions
Thanks for the suggestions on pinpointing the leak. Frankly, I can probably deal with the small amount of water if I have to, but my bigger concern is the fact that I can see a lot of light coming through from below. Doen't this call into question the overall structural integrity of the cockpit? (It is not supported from below)I was thinking about coating? the entire cockpit sole from above? or below? with something to seal the leak and strengthen the cockpit. There seems to be a lot of products out there for fiberglass repair, but as a fiberglass novice, I don't have the slightest idea of what to use.
Thanks for the suggestions on pinpointing the leak. Frankly, I can probably deal with the small amount of water if I have to, but my bigger concern is the fact that I can see a lot of light coming through from below. Doen't this call into question the overall structural integrity of the cockpit? (It is not supported from below)I was thinking about coating? the entire cockpit sole from above? or below? with something to seal the leak and strengthen the cockpit. There seems to be a lot of products out there for fiberglass repair, but as a fiberglass novice, I don't have the slightest idea of what to use.
Learn
Troy - If you're going to own a fiberglass boat, you should take the trouble to learn a little about the material. Even if you have no ambition to operate a boatyard in your driveway, you should know enough about the material your boat is made of to have a grasp of the basics. There's lots of material available: West System has a manual for around $ 5.00 that has lots of good info in it, and it isn't particularly technical. FYI, when the glass fibers are properly "wetted out" ie saturated with the plastic resin , they are quite translucent in thinner laminates. When there is air trapped in the glass fibers it appears white : this is not a desirable quality as it means the laminate wasn't properly done. I don't know your boat, but I'm guessing that the laminate in the cockpit sides isn't more than 1/8 - 3/16" thick, and this will let a fair ammt. of light thru. The cockpit floor should be thicker, probably with a plywood or other core material incorporated in between an upper & lower layer of glass. The West manual, and others like it, will give you direction on how to deal with cracks properly, or what to look for if you're farming the work out.
Troy - If you're going to own a fiberglass boat, you should take the trouble to learn a little about the material. Even if you have no ambition to operate a boatyard in your driveway, you should know enough about the material your boat is made of to have a grasp of the basics. There's lots of material available: West System has a manual for around $ 5.00 that has lots of good info in it, and it isn't particularly technical. FYI, when the glass fibers are properly "wetted out" ie saturated with the plastic resin , they are quite translucent in thinner laminates. When there is air trapped in the glass fibers it appears white : this is not a desirable quality as it means the laminate wasn't properly done. I don't know your boat, but I'm guessing that the laminate in the cockpit sides isn't more than 1/8 - 3/16" thick, and this will let a fair ammt. of light thru. The cockpit floor should be thicker, probably with a plywood or other core material incorporated in between an upper & lower layer of glass. The West manual, and others like it, will give you direction on how to deal with cracks properly, or what to look for if you're farming the work out.
- Status