Leak test

Eyeper

Active Member
I have a serious hull leak and it's not in the usual (hull/deck joint, cockpit bailer/hull interface) place that I can find. I think there's a thread that I can't locate which describes the technique for soap bubble testing?
 
Maybe this article is what you are thinking of:

It’s written for a Sunfish but I think it mostly applies to the Laser/ILCA as well.
 
Maybe this article is what you are thinking of:

It’s written for a Sunfish but I think it mostly applies to the Laser/ILCA as well.
Thanks! I'll be trying this as soon (or if it ever) as it stops raining here in N. CA.
 
On a Laser/ILCA, one uses the hole in the stern to (carefully) blow air in and the breathing hole up front needs to be covered up. You only need a bit a pressure to make this work; a bicycle pump is often recommended.
 
This is where my suspicions lie. How did you eventually find this? Bubble test?
Probably. To find such a leak you need to tape the low end of the slot and draw a soap bubble across the upper end.
If the bubble bursts, you will need to soap the insides of the slot to localize the problem.
 
FYI to all - we had a success here today. As I suspected, the lead\k was found, through pressure bubble test, inside the centerboard case. It was on the aft side, down low about 3 inches from the hull bottom and it was big. Air and bubbles just blew through. We got it cleaned up and ran a nice plug and bead of epoxy with beads and thickeners (this is an awkward place to work on!) in place and it looks solid. I'll sail tomorrow and report further.
 
Not an easy place to work. we stood boat on end with rear slot nearly but not quite horizontal. Small dam (tape) on bottom and pour fibreglass resin in. It worked well
Cheers Steve & Alex
 
Voila! Yesterday a bubble test revealed my leak was also at the rear of the centerboard slot, 2-3 inches above the bottom, and the hole was almost an inch long. We mixed up epoxy resin with microbeads thickener and were able to run a nice bead over it - and all along the rear slot. I'll be sailing today!
I'm guessing the hole came from hitting the beach at speed with the board only partially up.
 

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