Howdy folks, Total newbie here. Bought a 1983 25' Hunter last week with a friend, neither has sailing experience, the previous owner took us out for a lesson when we transferred the boat. We took it out yesterday for the first time. Lake (Lanier, GA) is very low, and we managed to hit bottom coming too close to an island (generally sandy), while traveling about 2mph. Gently, we didn't feel it hit at all, just noticed that the boat had stopped moving. Boat started to list when the wind picked up, so we dropped sails and started the outboard. Motored off easily using reverse on the outboard. Later noticed about 1" of water in the tiny bottom compartment where the keel bolts onto the boat. Boat has a history of staying completely dry. Dried up the water and no more came in, for the duration of the trip (about 3 more hours). So here are my three questions: 1)Normal to have temporary leak while resting on keel? 2)Should I attempt to snug the nuts holding the keel to the boat, or might that further damage sealing material? The keel apparently has studs which pass thru the hull, and is held on with nuts accessible under a small cover in the bottom of the main compartment (where the water appeared). The studs, nuts, and washers are completely exposed and not covered with any type of sealant, at least not above the washers. 3)Are we doomed? Advice will be greatly appreciated.
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Time will tell
Just watch it for a while. The water could have come from a completely different source. All spills, leaks, etc. will make its way to the bilge ("the tiny bottom compartment where the keel bolts onto the boat") eventually. I'm really a novice myself, but it doesn't sound like you hit hard enough to cause the keel to leak. The keel bolts should be exposed so that you can periodically inspect them.
Just watch it for a while. The water could have come from a completely different source. All spills, leaks, etc. will make its way to the bilge ("the tiny bottom compartment where the keel bolts onto the boat") eventually. I'm really a novice myself, but it doesn't sound like you hit hard enough to cause the keel to leak. The keel bolts should be exposed so that you can periodically inspect them.
are the nuts loose
if they aren't loose, I'd sail it a little more and see if the problem reoccurs. Is it possible that you had rain which left some water in the bilge and you didn't notice it until now? If you don't get anymore water, I wouldn't worry about it too much now, wait until you haul teh boat. If you do get more water, it is possible that the keel has seperated and you are getting water intrusion around teh keel bolts. In that case, I'd haul her, support the keel and rebed everything or have the yard take a look.
if they aren't loose, I'd sail it a little more and see if the problem reoccurs. Is it possible that you had rain which left some water in the bilge and you didn't notice it until now? If you don't get anymore water, I wouldn't worry about it too much now, wait until you haul teh boat. If you do get more water, it is possible that the keel has seperated and you are getting water intrusion around teh keel bolts. In that case, I'd haul her, support the keel and rebed everything or have the yard take a look.
Grounding
By the way, for the next time you run aground (and there will be a next time) you should consider a couple of things: running the outboard for too long while aground could suck some bottom stuff into the cooling system which is not too good for it, so you should be careful about it. When you do run aground, especially on a fairly smooth bottom, it may seem obvious, but you are not in very deep water. Its perfectly reasonable, when there are 2 aboard, for you to step off and push the boat to deeper water. In fact, your weight coming off the boat may well be enough to float it. Alternatively, use a pole or oar to push yourself off.
By the way, for the next time you run aground (and there will be a next time) you should consider a couple of things: running the outboard for too long while aground could suck some bottom stuff into the cooling system which is not too good for it, so you should be careful about it. When you do run aground, especially on a fairly smooth bottom, it may seem obvious, but you are not in very deep water. Its perfectly reasonable, when there are 2 aboard, for you to step off and push the boat to deeper water. In fact, your weight coming off the boat may well be enough to float it. Alternatively, use a pole or oar to push yourself off.
My guess is water from water tank
I have the 1981 Hunter 25. My guess is the water is from your water tank. I would do nothing but check the tank out to make sure it did not leak. That grounding would never damage our keel bolts in my opinion. Maybe they where damaged earlier but not from this moderate grounding. It would take much more than that. My water tank leaks when heeled over. Needs to be replaced or fixed but it is on next years list.
I have the 1981 Hunter 25. My guess is the water is from your water tank. I would do nothing but check the tank out to make sure it did not leak. That grounding would never damage our keel bolts in my opinion. Maybe they where damaged earlier but not from this moderate grounding. It would take much more than that. My water tank leaks when heeled over. Needs to be replaced or fixed but it is on next years list.
ALL and I MEAN ALL Bolted Keel Leak
the questions is how much. You are all right. You do have a bilge pump? You could remove the nuts and washers and re-caulk them with 5200. Don't just snug the nuts down. You need to use a torque wrench to tighten them down. Here is how to find the leak. Completely dry out the bilge. Spray foaming bubbles cleaner on the bottom of the bilge. Now look for water running in the bubbles. You'll find the leak!
the questions is how much. You are all right. You do have a bilge pump? You could remove the nuts and washers and re-caulk them with 5200. Don't just snug the nuts down. You need to use a torque wrench to tighten them down. Here is how to find the leak. Completely dry out the bilge. Spray foaming bubbles cleaner on the bottom of the bilge. Now look for water running in the bubbles. You'll find the leak!
No bilge pump
Thanks for the replies. As of yesterday, it's still dry. No bilge pump. At least not according to the po, and none that I saw. What is the recommended torque for these nuts? I don't want to touch them if there is a possibility of disturbing the seal. I don't know if there is any water in the sink supply tank; the sink doesn't pump any water so I assumed it's empty, but the pump (hand) might not be operating. No trailer, it's docked all the time, has been for many years. Will be keeping an eye on it for sure.
Thanks for the replies. As of yesterday, it's still dry. No bilge pump. At least not according to the po, and none that I saw. What is the recommended torque for these nuts? I don't want to touch them if there is a possibility of disturbing the seal. I don't know if there is any water in the sink supply tank; the sink doesn't pump any water so I assumed it's empty, but the pump (hand) might not be operating. No trailer, it's docked all the time, has been for many years. Will be keeping an eye on it for sure.
Possible other source
My icebox drains into my bilge. You may have numerous other sources for the water. I concur that while the keel is a possible water source, others are more probable. Good luck.
My icebox drains into my bilge. You may have numerous other sources for the water. I concur that while the keel is a possible water source, others are more probable. Good luck.
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