The bolts with which the skeg is throughbolted to the
hull started leaking within 5 minutes after the
boat was lowered in the
water. This is not a new situation, probably there for years (dont ask). Inside the skeg there is a big vertical plate which is than welded to a horizontal plate. Both plates are from mild
steel (asked the builder). There are nine bolts welded to the horizontal plate which are than throughbolted to the
hull. (bolts are stainless) This whole structure is than capsulated by
fiberglass but the
fiberglass is not structural. The front bolts (max three) leak. his means that
water is inside the skeg and than
leaks into the
boat. From the ouside there is no sign of any issue whatsoever. I got advise to unscrew the affected bolts one by one and try to rebed them with 5200 for now and deal with it this
winter. In his view it is not problem that there is water inside the structure.
My plan of attack: Dry out skeg, open the structure to take a look at the metal if possible (1981 boat), find the source of water penetration, try to seal it, fill voids, add additional fiber glass to increase overall strength and take some load of the bolts. I can not do a lot myself but want to be on top of the yard.
Does anybody have any experience with a similar situation? Any tips/tricks? How best to proceed?
I very much appreciate any input!
Regards, Arjan