|
Author
|
Topic: Inspection Ports
|
Patrick Crooks
Member
|
posted July 02, 2005 05:16 PM
   
After reading one of the post from a couple of weeks ago about water collecting in the lockers made me go look at Barefoot to see if she had the same problem and low and behold all four lockers had water. I bailed an sponged out about 10 gallons of water.I think I will put in some inspection ports. Where and how many do you suggest? I was thinking of the following: 1) One in each quarter berth just past the aft lockers. 2) One on each side of the v-berth area around where the head is. 3) Should I put one on the floor just before the table? Thanx in advance. Patrick IP: 207.161.63.126 |
Eric
Member
|
posted July 02, 2005 07:00 PM
Patrick, I'm not sure what the inspection ports are going to do for you. In my mind you need to find the source of the leak(s). If you stop the leaks, you'll have solved your problem.
Apart from the small gaps where the washboards meet the companionway hatch, there shouldn't be any other way water can get in. Since you say water is collecting in the forward lockers, I'd say you have other leaks than from the companionway. The other way water can get into the forward lockers, is if the hull to deck joint leaks, or the fasteners for the rub rail leak. Water will get by if you sailed with the rail in the water(heeled). I had this problem before I replaced my rail, and re-sealed the old fastener holes. It could be that rain is geting in those fasteners by cappillary action, even if it rains.
If you can, get a helper with a hose, and you go inside. Have the helper simulate a rain shower at all places where fasteners go through the cabin roof. Don't forget the jib car tracks, and the padeyes for the shrouds. Spray the rub rails too, from above. Spray everything, and look for the leak inside. Once you find the leaks, you'll have work ahead of you, in the form of rebedding the deck fittings that leak.
Chasing leaks is a bugger. I've re-sealed almost everything on my boat.
I don't think cutting in a bunch of inspection ports is going to help you stop the leaks.
Good luck. Let us know your progress.
Eric
[This message has been edited by Eric (edited July 02, 2005).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Patrick Crooks
Member
|
posted July 02, 2005 11:32 PM
The only reason for the inspection ports was to see how wet the foam floatation is. I'm thinking very wet because when I intially bailed out the cockpit locker I noticed water bubbling back in from a small crack or hole from the space under the cockpit floor.As for the lockers inside the cabin all there is, is wood walls for the ends. So I figure that is how the lockers are getting filled. Water can easily pass from the back to forward lockers because the wood wall between them was not cut properly to the shape of the hull. I did the rain shower test a couple of months ago and everything is sound. IP: 207.161.63.126 |
Eric
Member
|
posted July 03, 2005 07:14 PM
Hmmm, sorry, I didn't realise you went through the shower exercise.
I would think that if you were to cut in an inspection port, that the best place would be in the floor, either side of the keel trunk. This is the lowest part of the boat, if she is sitting level. The foam flotation will need to be cut out, as it is pretty "solid". Even any wet flotation, stays fairly firm, in my experience. When I removed my old head, some of the flotation was wet/damp around the base of the head and around the old waste hose. Here in this pic, you can see it cut into pieces. It's quite light, but is fiberous and dusty. Best to wear a mask, because in my case, I had to use a sawing action with the knife. (my wife still hasn't realised there's an old cutting knife missing  )
 I'll assume you've sealed up the area in the lazerette that was letting water through.
As far as the wood bulkheads in the lockers, mine are glassed in around the entire perimeter. This gives a seal between the lockers, and the foam flotation at each end. If yours are not, I would suggest you glass them in.
Eric
[This message has been edited by Eric (edited July 03, 2005).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Windroos
Member
|
posted July 05, 2005 11:05 PM
I have made an inspection hole on the bed near the wall (1 feet from it) on the right side. The hole is 9 inches. It is filled with foam and in no way I can reach the floor of the boat. The foam is to thick and place in layers. I tought I could find somme humidy or water going from stern to front but made a hole for nothing. At least I let it open and air circulate. Next, I drilled 2 holes 1/4 inches near the keel on the flor and inserted a little wooden stick. No water there but it seems to me that there is still foam there. I will probably make an inspection hole on the wall next to the entrance near the keel to see more of the hull from inside. Hope I'll be more lucky. Next thing I'll buy a periscope and I'll be ready when the Piper will be underwater. Cheers ------------------
John
Quebec city
1981 Sandpiper 927 IP: 66.131.169.240 | |
