I posted this in the Yahoo group as well, but I might as well give it a go here since nobody seems to be helping over there...
So after spending two hours sailing the first week and another twelve the second
(last week), it is time to rid my boat of its leaks and over-poundage. At 155+
lbs, the fact that I take on roughly a half gallon or gallon of water per hour
(into the hull) is not conducive to getting the thing on the car! The only
problem is that I don't know where to start. I want to try to avoid spending
fifty bucks and requiring the boat to be out of the water for a week.
You can have a look through some photos w/ descriptions here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunfish_sailor/photos/album/450483726/pic/list
My first question is what do I do about the leaks where the deck is separated
from the hull? Should I put the boat on sawhorses and drill out the rivets with
intention to seal the splits? Though I am fairly certain this is where the water
is coming in, should I first conduct a leak test?
My second question is can I get rid of the rail entirely and use a different
material? What about completely glassing it over?
Are the spider cracks anything to worry about? The boat is covered with them...
Finally, I have yet to order a 6" inspection port only because I cannot decide
whether I want to install a single port aft of the splashguard or one up front
and one in the rear. I want to avoid the swiss cheese effect, but at the same
time I want to make sure I can dry the thing out well via some good air flow.
Any and all input as much appreciated, as always!
Daniel
I'm posting a few photos here in case people aren't members of the Yahoo group. First to last: Only missing rivet; only 'dent' in rub rail; only gelcoat issue; possible pitting in handle (?); misc. spider cracks all over; bow repair (rubbery); aft underside abrasion w/ some missing gelcoat; aft port damage, previously repaired w/ rubbery substance and some fiberglass; and finally an area where the deck has separated from the hull, as illustrated by two photos depicting the position pressed in and at rest.
So after spending two hours sailing the first week and another twelve the second
(last week), it is time to rid my boat of its leaks and over-poundage. At 155+
lbs, the fact that I take on roughly a half gallon or gallon of water per hour
(into the hull) is not conducive to getting the thing on the car! The only
problem is that I don't know where to start. I want to try to avoid spending
fifty bucks and requiring the boat to be out of the water for a week.
You can have a look through some photos w/ descriptions here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunfish_sailor/photos/album/450483726/pic/list
My first question is what do I do about the leaks where the deck is separated
from the hull? Should I put the boat on sawhorses and drill out the rivets with
intention to seal the splits? Though I am fairly certain this is where the water
is coming in, should I first conduct a leak test?
My second question is can I get rid of the rail entirely and use a different
material? What about completely glassing it over?
Are the spider cracks anything to worry about? The boat is covered with them...
Finally, I have yet to order a 6" inspection port only because I cannot decide
whether I want to install a single port aft of the splashguard or one up front
and one in the rear. I want to avoid the swiss cheese effect, but at the same
time I want to make sure I can dry the thing out well via some good air flow.
Any and all input as much appreciated, as always!
Daniel
I'm posting a few photos here in case people aren't members of the Yahoo group. First to last: Only missing rivet; only 'dent' in rub rail; only gelcoat issue; possible pitting in handle (?); misc. spider cracks all over; bow repair (rubbery); aft underside abrasion w/ some missing gelcoat; aft port damage, previously repaired w/ rubbery substance and some fiberglass; and finally an area where the deck has separated from the hull, as illustrated by two photos depicting the position pressed in and at rest.