Tightening up a dry boat ?

[STATUE]

What is the sequence in tracking leaks when being craned in with strops still in place - yeh the leaks are that bad.

.... is it this :

- ensure all suspect areas are dry.
- have good volume pump at the ready.
- lowered in.
- observe.
- pump out.
- observe.
- pump out.
- lift out.

The boat is of complicated material construction with hard wood sections deeply hidden.

 

[penfold]

A few buckets of oggin in the bilge several days prior to the launch would be a good place to start.

 

[Wansworth]

Before launching check underwater area for obvious possible places where water can get,ensure seams are tight and filled and stern gland correct,if it takes on water it will soon take up but if it gushes in there be something wrong

 

[Wansworth]

Unless it’s linker then a watch needed to ensure it doesn’t flood before taking up

 

[Keith 66]

If its traditional construction either clinker or carvel it is likely to leak when it first goes in the water. How much depends on a multitude of things.
How long has it been out of the water? How dried out is the centreline structure, (Big dried out timbers may take many weeks even months to swell back to their original size). Does she have steamed ribs or sawn frames? same thing applies!
What wood is the planking made from? A boat planked in pine will take up far faster than a mahogany one as the pine swells faster when it gets wet.
Never fill big gaps with hard filler as when the wood swells it will split further. Dont be tempted to harden up fastenings or refasten when the boat is bone dry as rivet heads mat get pulled through the planks. Soft oil based or butyl rubber mastic is ok to seal gaps as it will squodge out as the wood swells.

 

[jamie N]

All above are bang on the money, but I'd ask a couple of more things, like are you in a marina or somewhere with power available?
If you are, then it's much more secure as you're able to have a decent automatic pump available, as well as a battery charger to cater for the running for your auto bilge pump. I've got 2 automatic bilge pumps, as 1 might/did break, and I nearly lost the boat.
The boat had been out for 2 years, and has now, after about 8 weeks, fully taken up.
Mine's a mahogany on oak, carvel Folkboat.
Are you going to post any pics?

 

[wombat88]

The boat is of complicated material construction with hard wood sections deeply hidden.

This bit in OP's original post makes me worry. I wonder if they could explain in a bit more detail?

 

[STATUE]

Leak found.
Keel bolt cover not fully installed.

I'd rather not say who is to blame !!!