keel bolt leak?

[RNC725]

we have gallons of water coming in during the day, almost overflowing the bilge, we did repair our pump, it works now and we have determined the leak is not from a hole in the hull or from the water ballast, we THINK it's coming from the keel bolt (swing keel).

How do u get to it? We called the Hunter Factory, have not heard back in over a week, have left 3 messages.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

1998
Hunter 240
Everything works but she's leaking

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Most Unusual for Hunter ..........................

............. not to reply. The only person you want to talk to is Eddie Breeden at Hunter. E-mail: customerservice@huntermarine.com

I sent an e-mail to him a few months ago and he phoned me back five minutes later. Very knowledgeable.

 

[Pete17858]

I thought that bolt was above the water line. Even if it were missing, I wouldn't expect gallons a day to slosh in through there.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I recommend taking your boat to a local hunter dealer.

I had a similar leak on my Catalina 22. The boat had to be lifted in order for them to be tighten from the outside (in the swing keel well) The dealer had it hoisted, tightened, and back on the trailer before I finished the paperwork.

 

[isaksp00]

If you have a trailer, maybe haul it and then use a hose to fill the bilge and see if you can tell where it leaks out? Not sure if that would work or not...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Bobcal;

Let me respond as I k ow this boat too well.

Assuming the boat is left in the water and water is coming in without rain in the forecast, you need to look at several items first.

1. Check lower rudder gudgeon to see if water is coming in.
2. Look at the hull to deck joint with flashlight looking thru the rear berth
access panels to see if you can see any water.

with people on board, check these:

1. Wing nut washer to see if the neophrene gasket is good.
2. Drain bail plug allowing air to enter/escape when filling H2O tank. YOu can
tighten this plug by twisting.
3. Look at the base of compression post and retaining bolt
4. Not sure if your boat had these but see if there are any screw holes in the
compression post about 1-2 inches above the compression post plate and
if there is, you need to put a #10 screw into it with caulk. there is one in front of the post which is hard to see.

While underway, check when heeling over on port side to make sure no water is
coming thru where water runs out thru the hull.

When you have done this, email with your findings at davecondon@mindspring.com and we can go from there.

crazy dave condon