Miracle - slow leak

   I have acquired an old wooden Miracle with a slow leak coming in somewhere around the base of the centreboard case. Any tips on how to isolate its location or how to fix? I'm not sure how the case joins/secures to the hull - if anyone has some sectional schematics that would show potential leak paths it might help. The alternative is to simply fillet out all of the joints with epoxy, but I am concerned that this will leave the water to rot the boat from underneath!

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miracle_1067 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 09 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote miracle_1067 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Miracle - slow leak Posted: 17 May 07 at 12:51pm
	I have acquired an old wooden Miracle with a slow leak coming in somewhere around the base of the centreboard case. Any tips on how to isolate its location or how to fix? I'm not sure how the case joins/secures to the hull - if anyone has some sectional schematics that would show potential leak paths it might help. The alternative is to simply fillet out all of the joints with epoxy, but I am concerned that this will leave the water to rot the boat from underneath!

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 07 at 2:20pm
	I am just about to take Miracle 1358 back up to the club after hopefully fixing the same problem, I think caused by being over enthusiastic with the centreboard pivot bolt when I refitted it this spring. You are right about preventing the water getting into the join from the centreboard slot rather than just sealing the inside of the boat and letting the case absorb water. I managed to route out a recess along the length of the inside of the slot. This recess overlapped the external keel, the hull bottom and the side of the casing. I then epoxy and glass taped this recess to seal the external joint and for good measure to stop it happening again filleted with epoxy the side of the casing in the cockpit. If you send me your e-mail I can send you a sketch which may make things clearer.....

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 07 at 2:55pm
	In fact as I am very bored at work today......

miracle_1067 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 09 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote miracle_1067 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 07 at 11:38am
	Many thanks for the reply - I'll try to do a similar job. Let me know if it worked!!

Graham T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 123	Post Options Post Reply Quote Graham T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 07 at 9:51pm
	It was blowing a hoolie this weekend but the only water in the boat came over the side or through the centerboard bolt which I was frightened of over-tightening again. We gave the boat a real workout in gusting F6 winds and it held together with no problems. Next week I will take some silicone to the rubber washers on the bolt....