Hmmm...the list keeps getting longer

[Mas]

Glad to hear! Am hoping this coming week when I get back to the bay to get all the previous list items accomplished, with most importantly rig the boat! Gunna get hull painted in next couple and need to get her rigged first. All of the wish list items are now just that, wishes. Still planning a mid April splash but still don't even have my ground tackle squared away. It'll get done though. First nice day of sailing and i will forget all the work leading up to it. Sure you will too.

[Bob23]

Rick:
   Although I think I've found the source, which is the point where the drains start at the cockpit floor, I can't confirm that my repair worked because I haven't checked it. I should today. Today is final bottom paint coat, remove boot stripe painters tape, general cleanup and charge the battery and reinstall the bilge pump. And start the cleaning and waxing process for the hull sides.
Bob23

[Mas]

Hey Bob,

I also suspect the cockpit drains/scuppers are the culprit. Did the drain pull free from the fitting, fitting break, what was up with them? Maybe cold weather and ice related?
What was ur fix?

Rick

[Bob23]

Nothing seemed to be broken. But there was a small space between the drain pipe and the actual hole in the cockpit floor. I squished some leftover 4000 in thar but have yet to test it. While the drain was full after I corked it up, that's where the water seemed to be coming from. I may check it later tonight and I'll let you know. I have toyed with installing completely new and larger drains using flexible hose to the transom. It's somewhere on the to do list...!
Bob23

[HeaveToo]

On this same thought as this issue, is anyone else having a black messy crap on their transom coming from their scuppers?  My scuppers are making a mess and I have to clean the area.  Still, I want to figure out how to keep them from doing this.  Replacement isn't expensive but it is not on the to do list.

[Mas]

it's a fact a number of boats on the hard had water in their bilges this year. I think the freezing weather may be a factor. If in the water the drains are less likely to freeze. Just speculation. May have to consider some sort of winter clothing for No Mas. She's never been out in the cold without a cover before. The PO didn't need the cover she had from the owner before him while slipped in Mobile, and unfortunately it dry rotted while in storage for those 5 years. May have to revive my winter cover thread again come fall!

Bob, do you take the bilge pump out every winter? Gunna check to see if mine still works so bringing the batteries back.

[Bob23]

Rick:
  I do remove the bilge pump each year. When she's covered, not a drop of anything touches the boat. It's a great cover system and should last 20 years but the framework is a bit complicated to set up. That's my fault- I seem to have a tendency to overcomplicate things at times. It's a system of wood frame with PVC ribs that make the boat look like an old wagon from a John Wayne western. But it works.
  As far as the water in the bilge, mine was never bone dry and I resolved myself that it's a boat. I may always have a bit of water there. As long as it's not salt water, I'm ok with it.
Bob23

[Mas]

Morning Bob, just sent you an email.

Do you remove the bilge pump so it doesn't freeze? If water was in mine i suppose it may be toast.

[brackish]

Sources of leaks: 

When I clean up my boat I use a small pressure washer.  I notice when I open it back up that I have a small puddle on the settee cushions.  It is apparent that the sliding hatch over the companionway when seriously flooded will allow water to enter.  This also happens in a very heavy rain.  I imagine that it would also happen when it is packed with ice and snow that is melting.

All these boats will eventually leak at the hull to deck joint specific to the area where the chain plates are attached either in a good rain or when the rail is buried on a close reach.  I notice it as a trickle down the inside of the hull behind the cabinets that cover that area.  This leak is so small on my boat that It never reaches the bilge before evaporating.  This can be repaired by taking off the inside trim piece in that area at the hull to deck joint and caulking it.  However it is not a permanent fix as the constant working of the stays and shrouds in this area will open it up again.

Even though my boat stays in the water 24/7 365 days a year uncovered, these two leaks have never put any water in the bilge.  In fact to periodically test the bilge pump I have to pour some water into the bilge. 

Some have complained of ports leaking.  I have the new stainless ports and they have never leaked a drop, nor has my forward hatch or hawse pipe.

[Mas]

Hey Brack,

The ports on No Mas were seeping and i knew the 25 year old gaskets needed replacing but it was dead of winter already so i covered the entire cabin area with a heavy canvas tarp that used the mast as the ridge for it. NO water got in there anywhere. Hull deck joint if leaking does not show anywhere, bilge dry from anchor well to engine compartment which was full to the mounts. It is more than likely a cockpit issue. either as Bob found, or it simply filled up with water and spilled through the lockers into engine bilge. Scuppers may have been frozen still before a huge rain we had, may have become clogged, will know soon. She's never had water in her bilge so must admit was not as diligent in inspecting her. She's also never spent a cold winter naked before. Guess I might have to take her shopping for a winter coat before next winter.

All ports will eventually leak as the rubber gaskets wear, compress and become brittle with age. It doesn't matter weather bronze, stainless or aluminum. Just goota replace the gaskets when they do.

[Bob23]

Rick:
   I do remove the pump so it doesn't freeze. A while back I replaced all the gaskets in my round Perko portlights. I have one stubborn one that still leaks a bit. Next years list.
Bob23

[Mas]

Two steps forward....one back. Seems No Mas needs a new internal halyard for her roller reefing a CDI 2. Again PeterG will be on board with helping rerig it with mast up. Splash date just got later. Meanwhile, 40kt. winds with 24 as a low. April right?!

OBTW assume the CDI is probably the best for the application. It is 28 years old and appears to be in good shape. Any other thoughts? The new halyard gets paid for and shipped Monday.

[Bob23]

Thoughts? Yeah...I should check mine! Thanks. Crazy winds up here lately. Glad Koinonia didn't go for her first swim on April 1st like I planned.
Have fun with your projects. Mine so far are: Wax hullsides, install bilge pump and instruments, clean out interior, buy beer for mast raising ceremony, raise mast with the help I'll enlist which this year will be K3v1n, drink said beer, splash boat the next day, bend on sails, go sailing. Simple, see?
Bob23

[Mas]

With Peter's help we got her stick up over two weeks ago. Was all excited till we noticed the internal halyard issue. It is way more difficult to replace with stick up, but even more difficult to de-rig and re- rig the entire boat! So it will be yet again another opportunity to learn a "how to" for our little boat. Splash is now two plus weeks away instead of this weekend. With the weather we have been having no one is going out anyway. Heck watched a younger couple (that next generation we are hoping to nuture) trying to raise their sails the first time for inspection on their 30ish foot boat sitting on the hard in strong winds! One gust rocked the jack stands. We hollered for them to pull the sails down. Too windy to go out, too windy to stay in!

[HeaveToo]

Holy Crap!  They actually tried to hoist their sails on the Jackstands.  That is scary!

I should be in the water next week. I have a bit to do yet but it is coming along.  I really want to wax the hull and I may do it the end of this week. 

Let's cut to the real chase...I REALLY want to go sailing.  I am hoping to be in the water and do a shake down cruise/sail next week at some point, weather depending of course. 

Sailing this area in April:

It either blows a Gale
or you can't bend a sail!