Athene V30
Active member
I have a very annoying leak that I have spent the last 4 seasons trying to fix and still have'nt!
Boat is '72 vintage, GRP and keel is hollow forming part of the hull rather than being bolted on. I think that the leak is from a fine crack at the turn of the hull into the keel at the aft end.
Winter 05/06 had hull sand blasted, filled, faired etc and 5 coats of primer. Winter 06/07 filled crack and primed 3 or 4 coats but still it comes in. Probably get 1 gallon in 2 or 3 hours which float switch bilge pump coapes will perfectly adequately. Trouble I think is that when boat is ahore the weight of the boat is keeping the crack closed but when the boat is lifted the weight will 'open' minutely making the filler ineffective.
Have checked it is not water from fresh tank, from engine space etc. It happens regardless if it has rained or not.
Next idea is to beach next weekend and to rub back the area I think is the leak and to paint with epoxy resin on outside then reantifoul on top. However do not know if this is flexible enough or not. On the inside was considering using "crack cure" (a small white plastic bottle) and then coat with epoxy on inside too. Is this a good idea or a waste of time? Any other suggestions (other than buy a new boat!)
Boat is '72 vintage, GRP and keel is hollow forming part of the hull rather than being bolted on. I think that the leak is from a fine crack at the turn of the hull into the keel at the aft end.
Winter 05/06 had hull sand blasted, filled, faired etc and 5 coats of primer. Winter 06/07 filled crack and primed 3 or 4 coats but still it comes in. Probably get 1 gallon in 2 or 3 hours which float switch bilge pump coapes will perfectly adequately. Trouble I think is that when boat is ahore the weight of the boat is keeping the crack closed but when the boat is lifted the weight will 'open' minutely making the filler ineffective.
Have checked it is not water from fresh tank, from engine space etc. It happens regardless if it has rained or not.
Next idea is to beach next weekend and to rub back the area I think is the leak and to paint with epoxy resin on outside then reantifoul on top. However do not know if this is flexible enough or not. On the inside was considering using "crack cure" (a small white plastic bottle) and then coat with epoxy on inside too. Is this a good idea or a waste of time? Any other suggestions (other than buy a new boat!)