leak in hull....

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jules22
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:32 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

leak in hull....

Post by jules22 »

Hi All, some time since I last needed to bother you, but I am in need of guidance again.

My youngest daughter has a concept 302 (lost class), its grp and twin skinned. water is getting into the hull void, despite my best efforts I have not been successful in stopping it. It may well be a combination of small leaks.

Finding where water is getting in is the first task.

Can I pressurise the hull to say 10 to 15 millibar with air and then go over the outside with soapy water looking for bubbles ?, or is there another better way ?.

All pointers gratefully received.
Thanks in advance. Jules
realnutter
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Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:18 pm

Re: leak in hull....

Post by realnutter »

Yes!

Don't put too much pressure in it, and be aware there may be a vent hole in the hull, probably high up in the cockpit, near the centreline so it never gets submerged...

Matt
Matt

Int Moth K2992
jules22
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:32 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: leak in hull....

Post by jules22 »

what would be a safe pressure ?.
Nigel
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Re: leak in hull....

Post by Nigel »

Concept 302 - great little boats

If yours has the optional spinnaker shute, that is a good place to look first
realnutter
Posts: 212
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Re: leak in hull....

Post by realnutter »

Jules... this will help you...

http://www.roostersailing.com/wordpress/?p=4725

The 302 is a smaller boat, so 30 pumps may be too many.....
Matt

Int Moth K2992
jules22
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Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:32 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: leak in hull....

Post by jules22 »

Thanks everyone , I had already done one end of the spinney pipe, perhaps I should do the other too if its a weak point.

Drain bung fitting was one of the things I had thought of doing !, so good to see it works for the rooster guy.

Have cobbled up an adaptor bung tonight, I already have a pressure test rig that I can fit to it, so with luck I am on the right track now. :)

Cheers. J
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Ed
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Re: leak in hull....

Post by Ed »

Yes, you can do this......

but as others have said....do take great care with the amount of pressure you use. Boats are designed to keep water out, not air in. Surprisingly little pressure can easily lead to a bang and an 'oh feck it' moment. So avoid using a compressor and air-gun.....yeah, I have done it :-(

eib
Ed Bremner
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jpa_wfsc
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Re: leak in hull....

Post by jpa_wfsc »

When you have found the leak(s) then if they are fine capillary cracks, the 'Creeping Crack Cure' from Capt. Tolley I have found works well...
j./

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jules22
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Location: Gloucestershire

Re: leak in hull....

Post by jules22 »

The air test works a treat. 10 millibar standing pressure is plenty , a garden sprayer with washing up liquid and water makes easy work of soaping the hull up.

The whole spinney tube and ends have been out and resealed, the bottom of the mast tube had never been properly glued in and a poor repair to the bow has been re-done.

Going to turn it upside down on sunday and do a few small bits and fit new mylar to the C/B slot.

Hopefuly it will be watertight and back out on the lake soon.

Thanks for all the advice. :)
realnutter
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Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:18 pm

Re: leak in hull....

Post by realnutter »

That's great.. and some excellent advice there from you!!!

Matt
Matt

Int Moth K2992
jules22
Posts: 90
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:32 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: leak in hull....

Post by jules22 »

Sailed briefly at the weekend and all is now well, Flo is very pleased with it, just a bit of gellcoat to touch-up over the winter sometime.

Thanks for all the help/ideas. Cheers. J :)
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