I'm relatively new to sailing and wanted to get an idea what to look for when launching a small sailboat, 25' in length. Does anyone have an opinion on what the most common place where a fiberglass boat tends to leak upon lauching when out of the water for an extended period of time. My boat has just been refurbished. I sealed a space in the keel to hull joint with 5200, Marinetex and glass. I sealed the "Spaghetti Strainer" (engine water intake) and depth sounder as well as all thru-hulls but I'm still leery of leaks. Any ideas of what to look for upon launching is appreciated.
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I would think that if...
you have sealed ALL of the below the waterline hull penetrations you will be ok at the dock. Under sail, hull penetrations that are above the waterline at rest may be submerged i.e. cockpit drain thru-hulls and these may or may not leak. The other penetrations that come to mind are the stuffing box and the rudder post area if your rudder is inboard and not transom hung. If the hull is sound I can't think of any other places water migh leak into the hull. Others may think of other places. Now the deck is a totally different story in terms of sealing because there are so many places where thing go thru the deck or are screwed into the deck etc. David
you have sealed ALL of the below the waterline hull penetrations you will be ok at the dock. Under sail, hull penetrations that are above the waterline at rest may be submerged i.e. cockpit drain thru-hulls and these may or may not leak. The other penetrations that come to mind are the stuffing box and the rudder post area if your rudder is inboard and not transom hung. If the hull is sound I can't think of any other places water migh leak into the hull. Others may think of other places. Now the deck is a totally different story in terms of sealing because there are so many places where thing go thru the deck or are screwed into the deck etc. David
As for the deck...
Water often comes through at the rubrail because on some boats that's where the top is attached to the bottom. You could sit inside and have someone hose the boat down in a slow circle to check for leaks. Some leaks are inevitable (ie Deep Throat) so don't get discouraged by a few here and there. Boats leak.
Water often comes through at the rubrail because on some boats that's where the top is attached to the bottom. You could sit inside and have someone hose the boat down in a slow circle to check for leaks. Some leaks are inevitable (ie Deep Throat) so don't get discouraged by a few here and there. Boats leak.
After Launching
I usually check the bilge and the v-berth. If those areas are dry, then you have no holes. Over time, you will notice a small amount (ounces) of water collect in the bilge. This is mostly due to condensation and not a leak.
I usually check the bilge and the v-berth. If those areas are dry, then you have no holes. Over time, you will notice a small amount (ounces) of water collect in the bilge. This is mostly due to condensation and not a leak.
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