I have a leak that has appeared this sailing season in my Tempest Oday. So far we have checked the keel from the from the exterior (after pulling the boat from the water) and no visible signs of damage. We have checked the thru hulls and they appear to be functioning fine.
As well does anyone know the tourk rating for the keel bolts on this vessel?
Any suggestions for other common areas to check and resolve this annoying issue.
Many thanks
John Stobbe - Annigje
The only thing I can think of is the gunwale strip. I've had leaks come in from under this molding. It's really a job that is best done on dry land.
If your boat is put together similar to mine, there are screws under that molding that need to be caulked as well as the screws that secure the molding to the fiberglass under that rubber. The rubber on my boat is one long piece that starts at the stern and ends at the stern where the two ends butt up to one another, but the aluminum moldings are in three pieces.
I found it easier to just look for the breaks in the molding and remove the rubber from the stern on one side to a seam near the bow. Then I worked on that side and put it back together. Then I did the same to the other side. That way, the rubber always goes back in the same place as it was.
There may be more unused holes in the molding that the screws that were used at the factory. I took a magic marker and put an X inside the molding at the unused holes. This way, all the screws will go back in the same holes that they were in.
I would stay away from any deck cleaners that can have an adverse effect on the caulking. Even household cleaners contain Oxalic Acid that can eat out caulking.
Another place to check is a toe rail. If you have a toe rail with a missing bung, water can get into it or under it if the screw has popped up a little. I found one of these on the bow of my boat this spring and that little screw hole was leaking like crazy.
Years ago I read a helpfull hint in one of my boating books that using Zud Cleanser will remove stains in fiberglass. So I went to my local grocery store and bought some and did my deck with it. It came out clean as a whistle but after that, I had leaks up the ying yang coming into my cabin. The acid in the cleanser ate out all the caulking under the gunwale moldings on my boat. Who'da thunk it? I just use good old soap an water now.
