Minor Leaks in Hull

[kcmarcet]

Okay while testing my bilge pumping system today, the boat is out of the water on the trailer, I found several spots on my hull below the waterline that had "drips". So what is the most reasonable way to fix these areas. I am thinking the 'best" way would be to use fiberglass resin and cloth. Is there an easier way that is just as effective?

Thanks
Ken

[S/V Illusion]

If the hull is so wet that it literally drips, you have a major problem - either holes in the hull or a saturated hull. Which is it?

[kcmarcet]

Perhaps I misstated the symptom. When I put water in the hull / bilge wet spots formed on the outside of the hull below the waterline. These seem like minor "leaks" So the question is how to patch them. Perhaps that will clarify the problem.

[S/V Illusion]

To state the obvious, hulls should not have holes in them which allows water to flow through. If it is a cored hull, you have far worse problems as the core material is undoubtedly saturated. The worst thing you can do is simply plug up the holes by patching them unless this is some low budget boat you don't care about.

No one here can give you an informed good solution without first inspecting the hull to know precisely what the problem(s) are. Have someone you trust look at it.

[forsailbyowner]

Sounds like some pretty shoddy glasswork during construction or serious delamination problems. I'd sound the areas to look for delamination. Tap with a hammer and look for drastic tone changes. If all sounds well would consider drying hull out and barrier coating.

[kcmarcet]

Okay well I barely know what a "cored" boat is, I had to google it, and I don't know if mine is or isn't one. The boat is a low budget day sailer. I don't know anyone I can trust around here. This is my first boat.

[sabray]

any chance that your putting cold water in the boat is causing condensation on the outside in balmy and humid florida

[kcmarcet]

I would say no. The wet spots were very small and localized.

[gonesail]

find out where the water is coming from .. is it a hole in the hull? from the keel area? is the wet spot dripping?

[kcmarcet]

Definitely the hull.

[S/V Illusion]

if the bottom has paint on it, scrap it off. Likely you will find cracks. If so, you have structural issues not easily fixed. This is a good example of what the limits of internet diagnosis are. Without a careful inspection, anything you get here is just a guess. You really need someone knowledgeable to inspect this boat before you sink it and everybody in it.

[kcmarcet]

Well thanks for trying to help anyway. I am likely to be the only one going to sink with the boat so I the loss will be minimum. As for the boat, well if I go down with it, I won't miss it.

[senormechanico]

Give a marine surveyor a call before you "go overboard". It doesn't sound good, but it's not something to just put on the back burner.

Steve B.

[kcmarcet]

Gee, you know when I first started posting here about buying a boat, I just wish someone had mentioned checking / having the hull checked. Now from what has been said here in this thread, I think i might be in way over my head / budget.

[Joli]

Oh for Gods sake it's a Mac 21. Go daysail it, have fun, don't put another penny in it and learn to sail. Don't worry about a leak, its dinghy, they all leak.