Hi everyone, I’m the owner of a 1998 Freedom F40 and I’m currently dealing with a frustrating issue—there’s a leak in the center board trunk that I can’t seem to pinpoint. It’s been getting worse lately, and I’m worried it’ll cause more damage if I don’t fix it soon, so I’m hoping to get some advice from fellow F40 owners or experts here.
Here are the details I’ve noted so far:
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The leak is most noticeable after sailing in rough water—when I get back to the dock, there’s about 2-3 inches of water collected in the bilge near the center board area. It’s not a steady drip when the boat is stationary, only when we’re under way.
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I’ve already tried a few things to fix it: I cleaned out the center board trunk to remove any debris that might be blocking the drain, and I applied a marine-grade sealant around the top edge of the trunk where it meets the hull. But the leak still hasn’t stopped.
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I also checked the center board itself for cracks or damage—from what I can see, the board looks solid, and the hinge mechanism seems to be in good shape too.
I’ve gone through the Freedom F40 owner’s manual and the troubleshooting section doesn’t have specific tips for this kind of leak. Has anyone with a Freedom F40 dealt with a similar issue? I’d really appreciate any advice on where else to check for the source of the leak, or which marine sealants have worked best for fixing trunk leaks on these boats.
Also, if you know of a trusted technician or workshop in the Charleston, SC area that specializes in Freedom yachts, I’d love their contact info—I’m open to having a pro take a look if I can’t sort this out myself. Thanks so much for your help!