Buoyancy tank leak

andrewm · Post by **andrewm** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:21 am

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I have a small leak into the starboard buoyancy tank, probably coming from the rudder locker. It mainly happens when sailing in rougher weather and with a couple of additional people on board, presumably when the stern is lower in the water and more water is getting into the rudder locker. Sometimes, a few hours sailing can leave 1/2" to 1" of water in the tank, although most days is stays dry.
I have inspected every inch of the rudder locker I can reach, and painted over every surface I can get to with an epoxy paint, but the leak is still there.
For those that may not have not looked - it's worth looking in that inspection hatch at the aft storage area. It sure gave me a surprise when I first looked in there and found 6" of water on both sides.

Andrewm #365

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:36 pm

Yes, I have the same problem with my port side tank. The starboard one seems to be fine.

drsm · Post by **drsm** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:48 pm

How did you drain it?

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:32 am

I used a portable electric bilge pump to drain the tank. The bilge pump is a small diaphragm based bilge pump that is self-priming and is mounted, along with a raw water strainer, on a piece of starboard with two long hoses. I set this up for use as a utility bilge/washdown pump.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:09 am

going to seem like a dumb question but where are you talking about and how do I check them?
Also are there other locations like this I should be checking (other then the obvious three on each outrigger and the bilge).
I must have missed this in the manual and training.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:03 am

In the area under the cockpit, there will be two deckplates, about 6" in diameter. These are the two aft buoyancy tanks, and need to be checked to see that they're dry and empty of water. I would also recommend removing the carpeting, if you have it in this area and re-bedding the inspection deck plates so that they're water tight.

Jerry wrote:going to seem like a dumb question but where are you talking about and how do I check them?
Also are there other locations like this I should be checking (other then the obvious three on each outrigger and the bilge).
I must have missed this in the manual and training.

Post by **Ron** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:16 am

But Jerry, you have to do this from inside the boat, because they are under the carpeting (if you have any there) and cushion of the aft "bunk". Mine have always been dry.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:57 pm

Thanks,
I will look on Saturday before I go out for my first single handed sail.
Jerry

drsm · Post by **drsm** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:18 pm

To my knowledge, this is not covered in the manual nor during the training--thanks again for this forum!

trashpad · Post by **trashpad** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:48 am

Put me on the lucky list as both are dry on "Reboot". I even had a very full boat a few weeks ago and had to move a few up forward when I noticed the water level was over the first step.

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