Strange Leak

All,

I'm experiencing an odd leak and am hoping someone has some ideas. I launched my boat for the season in early May and it sat in a boathouse lagoon for about a month before first sail (a long month it was, but I live two hours away!). Before sailing, I pulled the boat up on a beach to drain hulls, raise sails, etc. - no leak whatsoever - inside of pontoons was dry. After about a two hour sail, I noticed that the port side pontoon was riding lower and, when I pulled the plus, at least 1-2 gallons of water came out. The boat then sat for 2-3 more weeks with no leaking again. After another sail, more water. So, what I have is a boat that only leaks when being sailed, but when it does leak, seems to leak pretty bad. I tried the pressure test with smoke and it showed nothing.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Leaks that bad are usually two leaks - one to let water in and another to let the air out.

Lightly pressurize the hull with a shop vac set to blow, then spread soapy water all over the deck lips, deck/pylon joints and around all fittings.

My suspicions - deck lip, pylon joints, maybe drain plug housing (castings can hit screws, knocking them loose).

When you do the pressure test make sure and check under the front corner at pylons. This area can take on allot of water but only when your sailing the water comes over the hull and pushes under where the frame mounts to the post. Very easy to fix just fill space with some good marine silicone. Mine was leaking in that spot and when I pressured up the hull with my shop vac it actually blew some water out. Good Luck!

_________________
Floyd
00 Tiger
http://www.HobieFleet33.com
10 Mile Surfside, Texas
Join us on our Facebook group: Surfside Sailing

I re-siliconed everything on my boat this year and I'm happy to report that I have no leaks anymore! At least in the hulls, not sure about the mast..

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1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails