mariner with leak

[frank mergen]

Recently looked at a '76 Mariner. After 2 hours in the water there was several ozs. of water in the bilge around the center board trunk. floor board in place with some dry rot , could not see where water was seeping from. Any thoughts or advice on this?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Leaks

Many older boats leak but you'd want to know why and especially how much over time. Some boats seem to collect a few ounces and stop. Others will trickle just a bit at a time forever until they sink from the flooding. I would want to know where that water is coming from. Suspect locations are the centerboard pivot and the hull plug. If this is a boat you plan to keep in the water - at least for weeks at a time - then I'd want to know where it was coming from or I'd keep looking. If you're going to dry sail that boat you might be ok but I'd still try hard to find the source because it could intensify.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Craig - Boston]

Frank, I had the same problem

I posted a note on this BB in Oct-02http://archive.sailboatowners.com/archive/archivepview.tpl?sku=2002286193449.29&forumabr=aao&fno=62&_ptitle=ptitle%20rtitle&_psamp=psamp&&model=Mariner&forum=none&andor=wa&keyword=leak%20centerboard&pr=p,r&ssite=ODO&srt=pdate&start=1&max=20

 

[Rod Johnson,]

might not be a leak?

It is possible, that this water was not outside water, but had collected in a low-point in the bilge while on the trailer, then ran into the bilge after launching. Far-fetched, perhaps, but worth considering. Things to check, is the CB pivot bolt weeping, is there a small crack in the hull, what about the cockpit scupper drains (hoses as well as thru-hull fittings), sink drain thru-hull, could be a small crack at the forward end of the CB trunk. Did you launch into saltwater or fresh, if saltwater...taste the bilgewater (dip finger, lick and spit out). I would not panic over a few ounces over 2 hours, but I'd be sure and track down the leak and fix it.