Water Leak from Swing keel

liquidjoel · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Hello,

I have a Venture Newport / Macgregor 23. Two trips ago, the keel was dropped too fast. Now last weekend, water started leaking from what appears to be the bolt that the keel swings on. I was hoping someone could advise me on how to repair this.

I was also going to leave the boat in the water and am concerned that if I do this without the problem resolved it could fill up with water to the point that the foam flotation will be what keeps the boat from sinking. Does anyone think that this is something to worry about?

Thanks,

Joel

Hartley18 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Joel, first off, you don't have a bilge pump?

If you're going to leave a boat, any boat, in the water for extended periods you'd better fit one or you neighbours will get upset having to avoid yet another sunken wreck.

To fix the pivot bolt, you'll have to take the boat out of the water, drop the keel out and fill and rebore the bolt hole before putting it all back together again.

It's not a big job, but not possible to do in the water.

Sailormann · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Quote:

I have a Venture Newport / Macgregor 23. Two trips ago, the keel was dropped too fast. Now last weekend, water started leaking from what appears to be the bolt that the keel swings on. I was hoping someone could advise me on how to repair this.

You can probably seal it with something as a stopgap, but to fix it properly you are going to have to take the boat out of the water. The easiest thing to d would be to drill the hole out a little larger through everything and fit a slightly larger bolt.

Quote:

I was also going to leave the boat in the water and am concerned that if I do this without the problem resolved it could fill up with water to the point that the foam flotation will be what keeps the boat from sinking. Does anyone think that this is something to worry about?

Yes. Seal it or take the boat out of the water and fix it.

kwaltersmi · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

There's typically a rubber gasket on both sides of the keel bolt, or at least there is on my boat. You may not need to drill the hole out. Check the for gaskets and replace those if they seem rotted or ripped.

Joel73 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Joel,
I have absolutely no idea how to fix that... but welcome to Sailnet.
-Joel