Page 1 of 1

Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 8:48 pm
by Sailing-61-North
So one of my issues I need to fix while the boat is on the hard is the "Wallowed Out" bolt holes. Looks like original from 1981.

On the inside I was considering roughing up the fiberglass, creating a dam and pouring some slow cure epoxy (Table Top Stuff - up to 4-inch pours) to "Fill the Void" back there. BAD IDEA???

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 8:24 am
by SV_Pyari
I find myselfe to have a similar problem. While underway in light sailing some water find its way from the transom area into the bilge.
The only suspects are the lower gudgeon and its bolts or the bolts holding the sterntube.

Are your gudgeon bolts in the bilge/transom are? Hard for me to get a good loock since a modified diesel tank is blocking my view. And it also seems to be a solid area with epoxied play wood in between (check picture)
2022-06-22 14_15_46-Photo - Google Photos.jpg
2022-06-22 14_15_46-Photo - Google Photos.jpg (118.44 KiB) Viewed 3369 times
Or it might be the sterntube bolts, since I had them loosened last winter while installing a new prop.
2022-06-22 14_14_38-Photo - Google Photos.jpg
2022-06-22 14_14_38-Photo - Google Photos.jpg (120.83 KiB) Viewed 3369 times
2022-06-22 14_17_03-Photo - Google Photos.jpg
2022-06-22 14_17_03-Photo - Google Photos.jpg (72.1 KiB) Viewed 3369 times
Might as well reseal all of them.
I am welcome to any suggestions.

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:42 pm
by Sailing-61-North
Last summer, before taking the boat out of the water, I climbed-low crawled ect to see. I removed the hot water heater which made it easier. I was thinking the packing gland but ruled that out. Next was the stern tube but once I got back there it was obvious the grudgeon bolts were the culprit. Righr now is the time to fix since the water heater is gone along with the motor. Lots of room to fix things - kinda of.

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2022 8:38 pm
by Salacia
Another source might be the just above water line thru hull drains. Exposed constantly they can crack and leak. Worth checking even if they aren't the culprit. They have a 15 to 20 year life.

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:57 pm
by Sailing-61-North
Sorry I haven't gotten any photos. Will do so tomorrow when I head down to the boat...

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 8:33 pm
by RadioZephyr
What’s that pipe/tube thing next to your propeller?

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:11 am
by SV_Pyari
It is a cable protection for an older sonar/fish finder and will eventually be removed.

Last weekend i was inspecting the leak further while under sail and found the culprit.
I was crawling head first into the portside storage locker only to discover the leak right in front of my eyes.
The cockpit drainage (square hole through the transom above water line) was badly laminated on the bottom side. Only one Layer of fiberglass which apparently did not stick all the way to the side. From the outside it was covered with gelcoat. Now the gelcoat got a crack right on the spot that always has a bit of water remaining in the drainage. So every wave splashing into the drainage will leave a bit of water, which seeps through the crack into the bilge.
Never would have thought the leak would be there since it looks very solid from the outside.

Will "seal" the crack with duct tape for this season and repair it properly over the winter.

Sorry for crashing this thread.

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:13 am
by Sailing-61-North
I got sidetrack the last few days. Shiney red thing showed up today. Will take a few photos soon.

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:00 am
by SV_Pyari
Looks beautiful! Congrats!

Re: Leaky Gudgeon Bolts

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:12 pm
by Sailing-61-North
So here is the culprit location. The pintle bolts have wallowed out their location and now the hole is an oval. Busy at work. I like OT but its to the point that I'm sick of it and rather have a few days off.