fusioneng wrote:
We have had quite a few TI's since 2010, 17 miles with just 1 inch of water is actually pretty good for these boats.
We checked and inspected all of our boats repetedly and never found any major issues like cracked hulls, etc.
We have laid towels in the hull to try and find leak areas many times, it appears water comes in pretty much everywhere, a little here and a little there from all the hatches, the rudder tubes, etc, but the most comes in from the front hatch, even in pretty calm water, and even when just kayaking.
Many times we would go out sailing a couple hrs, and returned with the stern under water with 5 or more gallons of water in the hull. It's just the nature of the beast, and it's a good idea to carry a pump, (I have two).
When going offshore in known rough conditions, we often taped garbage bags over the main hatch and the rear round hatches. I never found a solution.
FE
I do disagree!
You should never accept water inside your hull. I have struggled hard to get my Ai hull 100% watertight but there will still enter a small amount of water.
Every time I open the middle hatch (just in front of me where I am sitting) some spoons of water get in, VERY annoying.
And yes, rudder line intakes are also leaking but can be fixed to 80%.
I never have anymore than two cups of water inside, even after hours of sailing in water that comes all over the hull (and me
).
And still, I do NOT accept this water inside the hull where all my gear is loaded. Will continue to work for 100% watertight hull.
BR Thomas