My '98 Hunter 170 (which I have sailed only in light winds since I bought it about a month ago) is taking on water at about the rate of 1/3 gallon per hour. I have sealed everything I can find close to or below the normal waterline, so I am considering attempting to apply sealant at the seam where the Luran laps over whatever makes up the inside of the centerboard hole. There are also penetrations where the supporting hardware attached to the hull that I cannot get to without removing the centerboard.
I am seeking recommendations as to how to do this while causing the minimum amount of stress on the hull. I have considered beaching it and pulling it over on its side, but that would put all the weight of the hull on one point on the gunwale, and all my water access is public, so I cannot leave it unattended while the sealant dries.
Even if I had the manpower to lift the boat and set it on cradles, that would place the stress in two locations fore and aft of the center. Constructing a cradle with runners similar to those on my trailer would require time and materials that don't make sense for what I hope is a one-time operation. Again, without the manpower (or mobile crane) to lift it, this does not seem like a viable option.
I could rent a lift from a local construction rental concern for $375. I have access to enough open area to do this, but would prefer not to spend the money.
I could set up a few gin poles and cable hoists with properly-rated lifting straps placed fore and aft of the center of the boat (two fore, two aft to spread the load). I would place hefty sawhorses beneath to protect me should they fail.
This all seems like a lot of work to prevent taking on a mere 16 pounds or so of water in the course of a 6-hour excursion, but when I drain the bilge, I am getting little pieces of wood coming out with the bilge water, and wonder if the water getting in is compromising the exposed wood within the hull. I am making a practice of leaving the access hole in the cockpit open during storage to help dry things out.
What say you experienced skippers? Don't sweat it, just drain the bilge and let it air out? Attempt the repair? If so, any advice on how?
Thanks in advance!
I am seeking recommendations as to how to do this while causing the minimum amount of stress on the hull. I have considered beaching it and pulling it over on its side, but that would put all the weight of the hull on one point on the gunwale, and all my water access is public, so I cannot leave it unattended while the sealant dries.
Even if I had the manpower to lift the boat and set it on cradles, that would place the stress in two locations fore and aft of the center. Constructing a cradle with runners similar to those on my trailer would require time and materials that don't make sense for what I hope is a one-time operation. Again, without the manpower (or mobile crane) to lift it, this does not seem like a viable option.
I could rent a lift from a local construction rental concern for $375. I have access to enough open area to do this, but would prefer not to spend the money.
I could set up a few gin poles and cable hoists with properly-rated lifting straps placed fore and aft of the center of the boat (two fore, two aft to spread the load). I would place hefty sawhorses beneath to protect me should they fail.
This all seems like a lot of work to prevent taking on a mere 16 pounds or so of water in the course of a 6-hour excursion, but when I drain the bilge, I am getting little pieces of wood coming out with the bilge water, and wonder if the water getting in is compromising the exposed wood within the hull. I am making a practice of leaving the access hole in the cockpit open during storage to help dry things out.
What say you experienced skippers? Don't sweat it, just drain the bilge and let it air out? Attempt the repair? If so, any advice on how?
Thanks in advance!