inspecting center board mechanism for leak

[nightwind skipper]

I have an 1995 H26 water ballast hunter. I've developed a leak when the sailboat is underway. Sitting at the dock, it doesn't leak. The Hunter people have suggested checking the centerboard mechanism for leak. I raised the table and slid the wooden inspection cover up and have found a steel plate. The plate is sealed in place with what appears to be 5200 sealer. The compression post goes through the plate and there are two Phillips head screws through a sleeve that is around the compression post. There is a 1 1/4 in bolt head going through the plate. Can I remove the ss plate to inspect for leaks without causing more problems? Other postings I have read indicate that the 1 1/4" is what secures the centerboard in place. Any other suggestions on where to check for leaks would be helpful. Under full sail, I take on about 1 gal of water per hour.
Thanks for your help,
Dave K

 

[Ojaisailor]

Where do you see the water? If in the stern, under the cockpit, it could be the water ballast drain plug rod washer or the stopper in the air hole.

 

[nightwind skipper]

I fixed that

Where do you see the water? If in the stern, under the cockpit, it could be the water ballast drain plug rod washer or the stopper in the air hole.

thanks for your reply. Hunter suggested I check that. I solved the problem by using silicone sealant to seal crack between the top of the water ballast tank and the inside of the step box. If any water does leak from the vent plug or the valve rod it will stay under the step. none has yet, but I have forgot to replace the vent plug and this saved me from a wet floor.

 

[Ojaisailor]

Nightwind skipper, thanks for the tip on sealing the step box. Launching for extended cruises to Catalina Island our boat sits at or slightly below the water line. We have taken in water before we could get the stopper in the ballast tank vent. Will definitely be sealing the box this week. Thanks again.

 

[BobSail]

I have a 260 that had the same problem. In addition to the water intrusion, I was noticing some vibration in the centerboard while underway, and began to wonder if the bolt was loosening. The sealant on top of the large bolt was not 5200, so I was able to peel it off of the bolt head. I bought a socket that fit the bolt and tightened it up. Solved everything for me, and its been four years since. I keep the socket and a wrench on board in case it loosens again, but so far so good. Crazy Dave Condon has some great posts in the archive about the setup, and one is that you don't want to over tighten for risk of stripping the nut that is welded to the backside of the centerboard bracket. The only remedy is to drop the centerboard and replace the nut. I just brought mine up snug and it seemed to do the trick. Hope this helps.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Nightwind skipper;

I was involved with these boats and as a dealer introduced each of the water ballast, sold quite a few being the top dealer for each of the water ballast but most important worked on them. If you have a leak, I pretty much can help you to resolve them. However, I would never seal anything on top of the waterballast tank under the lower step lid. There are ways to resolve that. Feel free to email me via the forum if you want any further help.

crazy dave condon

 

[nightwind skipper]

nightwind leak

Nightwind skipper;

I was involved with these boats and as a dealer introduced each of the water ballast, sold quite a few being the top dealer for each of the water ballast but most important worked on them. If you have a leak, I pretty much can help you to resolve them. However, I would never seal anything on top of the waterballast tank under the lower step lid. There are ways to resolve that. Feel free to email me via the forum if you want any further help.

crazy dave condon

thanx for your reply. I was able to loosen the centerboard bolt and tighten it. The threads seemed in good shape. I was Very careful not to over tighten the bolt. I hope this will solve the problem. I will give it a try and let you know. I'm curious why you wouldn't seal the box under the bottom step? Let me Know. I'm trying to get to the Bahamas the season. Hot sure it's going to happen this year.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you simply caulk the washer and the drain bail plug with silicon, it is easy to remove but do not use either 5200 or 4200 under the step.

For most who put the boat on the trailer which the boat was designed for, there is a neophrene gasket under the large washer and the drain bail plug is the one designed for expanding or contracting by simply turning it. If ever caught in a storm and the seal you put on has come loose and/or detoriated, water will seep in thru there and in my book that is not good. I would replace that gasket and drain bail plug before you make the short trip to the Bahamas as you may or may not run into a storm. It is simple maintenance and preventive measures. I err always on the side of safety and that includes equipment which I will never compromise when it particularily comes to children and scouts.

crazy dave condon

 

[BrianW]

In Nightwind skipper' post, he referred to 2 Phillips-head screws that secure the bottom of the compression post to the sleeve on the centerboard plate. A word of caution... If you "bugger up" the heads on these screws, you could be really "screwed"! There's not enough room down there (especially the forward screw) to use most tools that we normally use to remove these damaged screw heads. I barely was able to remove mine before mortally damaging the head with an off-set screw driver because they were almost frozen in. I replaced the Phillips head screws with hex bolts with plenty of anti-seize to make things easier next time. I even considered leaving the screws out completely. I'm not completely sure the screws actually needed. BrianW

 

[nightwind skipper]

In Nightwind skipper' post, he referred to 2 Phillips-head screws that secure the bottom of the compression post to the sleeve on the centerboard plate. A word of caution... If you "bugger up" the heads on these screws, you could be really "screwed"! There's not enough room down there (especially the forward screw) to use most tools that we normally use to remove these damaged screw heads. I barely was able to remove mine before mortally damaging the head with an off-set screw driver because they were almost frozen in. I replaced the Phillips head screws with hex bolts with plenty of anti-seize to make things easier next time. I even considered leaving the screws out completely. I'm not completely sure the screws actually needed. BrianW

I was able to take the Nightwind out today to check for leaks. In two hours we took on abut gallons of water. The leak is definitely not under the step, in the ball plug or under the washer which closes the stem valve on the water ballast tank. I did not use sealant on either one of these fittings. I sealed the crack around the edge of the water ballast tank and the side of the step. This is where the two fiberglass sections come together (the top of the water ballast tank and the side of the step box). If any water leaks through the stem valve or the ball plug, it will stay under the step. I have not tried to remove the Phillips head screws holding the stainless steel plate in place. If I do, I will use extreme caution. During my sailing trip today, I also kept an eye on the stainless steel plate that the compression post goes through. That is very tight in there. I inspected as best I could and did not see or feel any water leaking in around the plate. When I talked to the Hunter people before, they talked about inspecting the centerboard mechanism as well as the bulkhead underneath the stern berth. I'm not sure where the boat would leak under the stern berth. Any ideas what the Hunter people were referring to in that area of the boat?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

NIghtwind;

At this point since I know the boat too well due to my involvement only if you knew, send me your phone number and where you are located to davecondon@mindspring.com
Your information is private. IF you are concerned about doing that, let the guys here advise you about me. There is a lot to look for and I know about every one of them.

crazy dave condon

 

[nightwind skipper]

Leak in the Nightwind

In Nightwind skipper' post, he referred to 2 Phillips-head screws that secure the bottom of the compression post to the sleeve on the centerboard plate. A word of caution... If you "bugger up" the heads on these screws, you could be really "screwed"! There's not enough room there (especially the forward screw) to use most tools that we normally use to remove these damaged screw heads. I barely was able to remove mine before mortally damaging the head with an off-set screw driver because they were almost frozen in. I replaced the Phillips head screws with hex bolts with plenty of anti-seize to make things easier next time. I even considered leaving the screws out completely. I'm not completely sure the screws actually needed. BrianW

Sorry for the slow reply. Family issues kept me off the boat. I'm pretty sure I've solved the problem. I've been out three times and have taken on no water. It appears that the through the haul fitting for the bilge pump was siphoning water back into the boat when I heeled excessively. I simply placed a check valve in that line and have had no leak since then. It seems that the old adage stands true. "When troubleshooting a problem eliminate the simplest solutions first." I have Crazy Dave to thank. He suggested I start looking topside for the leak. Crazy Dave talks the talk but he can also walk the walk. Thanks to all of you for all your input it was very helpful. I certainly learned a lot about my boat. Sail safe, maybe we will talk again.
Nightwind Skipper

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

NIghtwind Skipper.

Email me with your phone number and of course you are in Florida to davecondon@mindspring.com and I will call. I feel I know where your leak is coming from and can advise fix. You said under sail if I was correct. The first place to look is the hull to deck joint in the transom and lower gudgeon or lower rudder attachment in the rear. When folks are in the back of the boat and/or under sail, that area is under water and suspect that to be the source. Look thru the rear berth doors where the battery is with flashlight and of course feeling with your hand. You should be able to see water under the rear berth as well.

Ok, send me a phone number and as always, no one gets that info not even my wife.

crazy dave condon