1974 Flying Junior Taking Water Inquiry

[salsiccia]

Hello!

I am in the process of learning sailing using my 14Ft Flying Junior. I have aborted Last attempt to singly sail the vessel while it was secured at the end of the dock at Anderson Lake in Morgan Hill. I noticed considerable amount of water in the boat and noticed water coming in thru center board pin hole and joint of bottom of boat with center board trough wall.
The following morning I have placed to layers of fiberglass around trough perimeter to stop any leak and also reinfiorce the joint (like a 2" x 2" fillet weld configuration). I also opened the 3 independent compartments and found water inside about 1/2 Gallon each. I carefully checked exterior boat bottom and found no cracks. My question is how can water get in the boat?

Anybody experienced similar problem?

Thanks for any comments,

Pierre

 

[saildan]

Re: 1974 Flying Junior Taking Water Inquiry

I noticed considerable amount of water in the boat and noticed water coming in thru center board pin hole and joint of bottom of boat with center board trough wall.

I also opened the 3 independent compartments and found water inside about 1/2 Gallon each.

I carefully checked exterior boat bottom and found no cracks. My question is how can water get in the boat?

You'll need to very lightly pressurize each compartment - maybe 1/4 psi - and wash the hull with very soapy water - and look for bubbles. This will find leaks that you can't see otherwise.

 

[salsiccia]

Re: 1974 Flying Junior Taking Water Inquiry

Thank you for your reply. I have a small compressor.
I'll give it a try.

Pierre

 

[saildan]

Re: 1974 Flying Junior Taking Water Inquiry

Thank you for your reply. I have a small compressor.
I'll give it a try.

Be very very careful with compressed air. One slip-up and you are liable to blow a seam. Most people use an air mattress or bicycle tire pump. Remember 1/4 psi is about max for most dinghy hull compartment testing.