Thanks very much for the info.
The Daggerboard does go through the hull. I am trying to imagine how you would paint the inside of this cavity. What would you use to apply it? Would you also coat the inside of the mast hole?
Since my boat lacks inspection ports is the only official hole in the hull the drain plug? I guess I would tape a vacuum hose blowing air to the drain hole and apply the soapy water?
Is the water in the hull a considered long term problem if it is drained each time after sailing?
Thanks!
David
Seattle, WA
Nolan Habegger <nhabegger@...> wrote:
David,
There are a number of places water can get in on a Sunfish. I'm not familiar
with the MiniFish, so I'll give you a run-down of the suspects on the boat I
have.
1. The rudder gudgeon (especially the lower bracket). If you "drag" your
hull for any reason (i.e., you are a big guy like me) and water comes over
the stern, you can get leaks in through the top bracket. The bottom bracket
is an obvious (but sneaky) culprit that sometimes is overlooked.
2. The rail. If you heel over and allow the rail to contact the water
consistently, you may have some hairline cracks that are allowing water into
the hull. This is usually seepage, which might explain the minimal amount of
water you had.
3. The daggerboard trunk. If the Mini has a "through hull" cavity for the
daggerboard, cracks can easily develop in there without being noticed. I
repaired my leaks in this location with several thin layers of MarineTex
applied over time. I can give you more pointers on this later if you need
them.
4. The mast step hole. If water comes over the bow and fills up the step, a
hole will allow the water to seep into the hull as well.
I highly recommend you do a pressure test on your hull. This involves
pushing air into the hull using a vacuum cleaner or other similar appliance.
While creating a positive pressure inside the hull, you go around and
"paint" every conceivable spot where a leak might occur with a dish
detergent and water mixture. If you have a leak, you will see the detergent
"bubbling" over the gap or hole. Once you've identified and marked all your
holes, you have a better idea of what your next steps are.
Hope this helps.
fair winds and following seas,
Nolan Habegger
The Woodlands, TX
_____
From: David Greene [mailto:dlgingalus@...]
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 11:24 AM
To: sunfish_sailor@...
Subject: [sunfish_sailor] Question
I just got a 1977 minfish that had been sitting in someone's back yard for a
few years. I cleaned it up, refinished the dagger board and tiller and
patched a few small gelcoat dings. I took it out yesterday for two hours in
fairly choppy water (a number of waves over the bow into the cockpit) and
when I pulled it out there was water inside the hull. I pulled the drain
plug and guess in had maybe a quart of water inside (did not measure it).
Overall the gelcoat seems sound.
It that typical? Where would it be getting in? By the mast?
Thanks.
DLG
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