Bilge Cracks Leaking Seawater

[pillars]

This is on a 12 year old Leopard 40.

She just went in the water and a day later salt water is seeping through in the bilge. There is a longitudinal crack in the bilge about 3-4 in long, right over the starboard keel. Port side doesn't have the crack or leak. The boat hasn't been grounded (at least not obviously), but it does sit on the hard for long amounts of time at least partially supported on the keels.

This is not good obviously, but how bad is this?
I am assuming a repair would likely require a lift out again, keel removal, finding the source of the crack, likely the keel stub (these are sacrificial keels), fibreglassing and then repaint. Multiple weeks at least and $10k or more? What are the odds of finding a much bigger mess when you open it up?

[coopec43]

I wonder what they mean by "The high aspect sacrificial keels with a draft of 3ft 11 inches comb....."

http://www.yelkenli.com/kiralama/dou...Review_112.pdf

There's a fair bit here on different forums regarding sacrificial keels

https://www.google.com.au/search?sou....0.AONs45YiWHI

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/le...-moorings-4000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3-LjgWhRM

Clive

[coopec43]

"I am assuming a repair would likely require a lift out again, keel removal, finding the source of the crack, likely the keel stub (these are sacrificial keels), fibreglassing and then repaint. Multiple weeks at least and $10k or more? What are the odds of finding a much bigger mess when you open it up?

That doesn't sound like a big job to me. You've already identified where the leak is. Being "sacrificial keels" surely they are easy to remove? I'd grind back the gelcoat "V" the crack, fill it with epoxy/filler, repaint and put the keel back on. On the inside of the hull I'd grind back, put several layers of epoxy/cloth over the crack and repaint (for cosmetic reasons)

Clive

[a64pilot]

Step 1 I believe is to hire an expert and have a structural survey done.

[DeepFrz]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Step 1 I believe is to hire an expert and have a structural survey done.

Yes, or at least contact Leopard and talk to their tech. support. Whatever you do I recommend that you do it yourself so you can me assured of doing a good job.

[J.Kitchens]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Step 1 I believe is to hire an expert and have a structural survey done.

You should absolutely hire an expert in this case.

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Yes, or at least contact Leopard and talk to their tech. support. Whatever you do I recommend that you do it yourself so you can me assured of doing a good job.

Don't do it yourself if you're not qualified. How do you assure you are doing a good job when you don't have any experience?

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by J.Kitchens

Don't do it yourself if you're not qualified. How do you assure you are doing a good job when you don't have any experience?

Fiber glassing is not a highly technical job so it doesn't take much to learn. But if you haven't done it before it probably is a mystery to you so you should probably get someone/mate who has experience. I think anyone with a f/g boat should learn how to do minor f/g repairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggAzL9oQxg

Clive

[pillars]

Upon further research, it looks like the keels are mounted on a solid laminate stub. For water to get into the boat through there, either the stub is damaged, crushed or something, or the fibreglass around it is. I included a pik from a hurricane damaged boat that has the same setup.

[pillars]

So I am not sure this is a simple fibreglass job...

Any recommendations on an expert for a structural survey?

[JohnT]

So, it would be helpful if you stated where your boat is located!

[pillars]

Originally Posted by JohnT

So, it would be helpful if you stated where your boat is located!

OOps, Eastern caribbean.

[fuentes]

I have a 1999 45 ft. Leopard with a sacrificial keel. Please do let us know what you have done and what you found. I have not had any responses from the manufacturer about how to set the boat on the hard nor other questions I have asked in the past. I have been looking for the information manuals for the boat with no success.

[Cheechako]

Are you positive it isn't water from the nearby hose/tank leaking a bit into that crack and looking like the crack is leaking? The glass "should" be fairly thick there, to leak that crack has to be a pretty bad thing.
If it's an ex charter boat, yes, it's been grounded.

[LakeSuperior]

An engineering assessment and a correct profession repair will be critical when you put it on the market someday.

Consider trying to explain an uniformed DIY repair in a potential structural region to a potential buyer? Better to get out ahead of this early.

[lordgeoff]

[QUOTE=coopec43;2758859]"I am assuming a repair would likely require a lift out again, keel removal, finding the source of the crack, likely the keel stub (these are sacrificial keels), fibreglassing and then repaint. Multiple weeks at least and $10k or more? What are the odds of finding a much bigger mess when you open it up?

That doesn't sound like a big job to me. You've already identified where the leak is. Being "sacrificial keels" surely they are easy to remove? I'd grind back the gelcoat "V" the crack, fill it with epoxy/filler, repaint and put the keel back on. On the inside of the hull I'd grind back, put several layers of epoxy/cloth over the crack and repaint (for cosmetic reasons)

Clive[/QUOTE
Ignore Coopec 43 and get professional advice.