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?
Leak test
- Thread starter Eyeper
- Start date
Maybe this article is what you are thinking of:
sailingforums.com
It’s written for a Sunfish but I think it mostly applies to the Laser/ILCA as well.
Leaky Hull Air Test
Use this test to find leaks in the hull of your sunfish. Materials Needed: Cellophane Tape Bucket Water Liquid Detergent Paint Brush Tire Pump/Compressed Air Procedure: 1. Mix 50% water and 50% soap to make a quart of sudsy water. 2. Tape...
sailingforums.com
It’s written for a Sunfish but I think it mostly applies to the Laser/ILCA as well.
Eyeper
Active Member
Thanks! I'll be trying this as soon (or if it ever) as it stops raining here in N. CA.Maybe this article is what you are thinking of:
Leaky Hull Air Test
Use this test to find leaks in the hull of your sunfish. Materials Needed: Cellophane Tape Bucket Water Liquid Detergent Paint Brush Tire Pump/Compressed Air Procedure: 1. Mix 50% water and 50% soap to make a quart of sudsy water. 2. Tape...
It’s written for a Sunfish but I think it mostly applies to the Laser/ILCA as well.
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.
Alex/Steve
Member
Check rear centreboard case. Took us three years to fid this
Eyeper
Active Member
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.
Eyeper
Active Member
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.
Alex/Steve
Member
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
Cheers Steve & Alex
Eyeper
Active Member
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.
I'm guessing the hole came from hitting the beach at speed with the board only partially up.
I think that these types of cracks are the result of the daggerboard hitting something.
Eyeper
Active Member
Yes, for sure. After 41 years of sometimes hitting things with the daggerboard, my old Irish Laser finally decided to leak.