Leak in H26

[Bungalow Bill]

I have the dreaded water in the bilge/subfloor in my H26. I found a leak in the rear center barely above the water line using a spraying hose and monitoring the area behind the batteries. I plugged this with good marine chaulk. Next I filled the ballast while the boat was on the trailer just to be sure the tank was not also leaking (I have read most of the prior threads and realize the tank is seldom the issue.). I did not see any additional water until I dumped the tank and looked underneath. There was a steady drip coming from the front of the centerboard cavity. On closer inspection I noticed a hairline crack just in front off the centerboard cavity. Here are my questions:

1. Can I just sand and putty the crack to fix this. (after drying of course)?

2. Could this indicate that I do have a crack in the ballast tank?

3. Is there a product I can dumb in the ballast tank to plug a leak?

4. Any other ideas?

(Dave, please chime in. Thanks in advance.)

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Bill;

Can you take a photo of that crack

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Photo sent with patch in place. It radiated from the corner forward from the forward corner of the centerboard trunk housing. Unfortunately the patch was large and covered up everything. I cannot tell from this point but the hull is usually the thickest there and I have seen cracks radiating from there but cosmetic only. However, I have seen water dripping from there after the boat came out or sometimes condensation from the centerboard trunk housing. Again, I could not tell with the area having a rather large patch over it.