Leak into the bilge
Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:40 pm
I am the 2-week owner of a DS2, and when we took it out for about 2 hours for the first time last week, on hauling it out, removing the bilge plug resulted in a steady stream of water for about a minute (about 5 gallons?). I don't see any obvious problem with the bottom, which leads me to consider centerboard trunk as the likely culprit (unless of course the plug was not tight; someone else inserted that plug; I'll make sure it is tight next time). There was no water in the cockpit, and none in the cuddy. Nothing is visibly wrong with the centerboard holes where the lines to raise and lower it come through, and the centerboard functions fine. I tried opening the inspection ports just aft of the cuddy, but couldn't open them with my fingers. There is a cleat on the starboard side of the centerboard trunk, and the holes for another cleat that pulled out at some point. The previous owner said he just used the one cleat and the holes were like that when he got it and it was never a problem. My question is how to find this leak. I understand the centerboard pivots around a bolt that is held by two metal pieces that screw in from the bottom of the boat and that might be the source. I understand that sometimes the fitting for the uphaul line (the wire one) sometimes breaks, allowing water into the space between the hulls. I've read about a repair procedure involving a 3/4" metal pipe cut lengthwise and some sort of threaded abs plastic piece from the hw store to replace the fitting that is supposed to keep water out. If I can get the inspection ports open, with the boat in the water at the dock, would I able to see what is happening? I have access to a boat lift but would like to figure out what is happening and what I need to do before I go asking to use the club's lift. Thanks very much!