h22 leak

[Bob Brown]

We recently purchased an H22 and have a leak that we have been unable to locate. Checked the hose connections; they are all dry. Leak seems to be close to the swing keel. Does anybody know anything about how to proceed from here to find the leak? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Dave Condon]

leak check

Bob;It is difficult to figure out leaks but let me suggest that you close up the boat and tape all hatches/opening ports.Take a leaf blower and encase it with plastic that is taped over the hatch way. Turn it on and it will presurize the system. Take sopy water and brush the topsides with it around all fittings, hull/deck joints, etc. If you see any bubbles, then there are your leaks topside. Do you have a swing keel configuration of any sort and if so, look at the centerboard line and the bolt holding it in place. An easy way to tell if topside leakage is looking at the water level in the bilge. If it remains the same when there has been no rain, then consider it to be topsides.Crazy Dave

 

[Guest]

The usual

Most likely the keel ubolts need to be removed, cleanedand retightened and sealed. (mine do) Tip... I drilled a hole through my plywood cabin sole justbig enough for the hand pump to slide through and still be able to see if there's water in the bilge. Also adding six feet of hose to the hand pump so it goes under the traveller and washes off the floor of the cockpit is nice too.

 

[Warren Moore]

Leak h22

Is your leak under sail ? I have the same swing keel setup in my h22. Sometimes water will splash up inside the centerboard well and on to the cabin floor if I'm heeled over 15-20 degrees in a rough sea, This is normal, If you remove the table from the top of the centerboard well you will see the water just a few feet away.

 

[Garry]

Still hunting for my leak

One source can be the sink drain thru-hulls. The hose clamps can loosen over time and appear good but give them an extra twist, or better yet, remove them, put a coating of silicon on the thru-hull and refasten the hoses. Repeat this procedure for any other hose clamps like any added bilge pumps for instance. Naturally it depends on the height above water of each thru-hull as to whether it will give you problems. It can take several different tacks to figure it out.