Hey guys, just wanted to give feedback on the leak test. I started the process by using some old packing tape I had lying around. In order to pump air into the hull, I used an old air matrice pump we had in the closet. It seemed to do a very nice job pushing air through the boat.
As you see above, I started by slowly taping off the stern inspection port (which was used to dry the hull).
The above pic shows the stern inspection port sealed off with the matrice pump in place.
Above is a close up in case you wanted a better look.
Above, you can see that there is another inspection port near the splashguard. With the pump on, and the forward inspection port open, there was not enough air pressure in the hull to to force air through the vent hole in the forward wall of the cockpit. I sprayed a mixture of water and dish soap on vent hole to look for any bubbles. No luck.
So above, it made sense to start covering up the forward inspection port one strip of tape at a time. Knowing, from our member's guidance, that too much air being forced into the hull can cause major damage to the boat, I was very careful here. Each time I put on a strip of tape to cover that splashguard inspection port, I would leak test the vent hole in the cockpit. My thoughts were if air pressure was enough to make it push out that vent hole, there should be sufficient pressure for air to push out any holes that may exist in the hull, or around any fixtures attached to the boat. The forward inspection port was almost completely covered before enough air pressure was available for the test. (Just anout 1/2 a strip's with of tape was left open on that forward inspection port).
Above you can see how much of the forward inspection port was taped off in order to get enough air pressure to leak test the air vent in the forward cockpit wall.
Once I could see bubbles forming around the air vent, I knew I was ready to leak test the entire boat. I used a solution of water and dishwashing liquid soap and put it in a spray bottle (as was suggested by our members). I then set forth to spray down every inch of the boat, paying special attention to any nicks, cuts, scrapes, trim, rivets, screws, or fixtures on the boat that could be causing a leak. I did this process TWICE........... And could not find any bubbles (except for the vent hole.
My questions are:
1). Does this process look right to you all? No leaks, right?
2). Im thinking that my next step is to fare over the big gouges in her hull. Does this seem like the next step to be taken?
Cheers to you all,
Whitecap