Can You Seal Mac Gregor 25 on Blue Water
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #1
Got some problems with leaks in my 1984 Mac 15, or more specifically with water in the bilge and on the cabin sole, and I'm not sure where it is coming from. Some background: in the middle of the 2016 sailing season, I briefly 'ran aground," with hitting the sing keel. I raised the keel and went on my merry way. I noticed some weeks later some water in the bilge, but I don't really know if there was water in there beforehand. I looked under the boat and around the keel last winter and couldn't see anything. I don't recall there being much rain last winter, and certainly not enough for me to use my little manual pump to get any water out of the boat.
However, I've noticed lots of water in the boat in the last couple of months. Mostly, it's in the bilge, but it's also on the cabin sole under the table, and there is also water on the table, which suggests that not all of the water is coming in from underneath. Last winter, I replaced the seal around the pop top, but I'm not convinced that has worked. I also happened to see some water near the v berth, so I'm wondering if there is some kind of leak in the forward hatch.
Yeah, I know. A lot of places. Any idea where I should start? Should I have my wife spray water onto the pop top and deck to see where something comes in? And how would I check the keel, maybe from inside to see if that's the source?
Any help you could provide would be appreciated!
- Feb 5, 2010
- 86
- #2
- Feb 8, 2017
- 103
- #3
The water in the cabin is another issue. I found that if there is water directed towards the front of the sliding hatch, whether while cleaning the boat or from a rainstorm hitting you right on the nose, water will come in there between the sliding hatch and the pop-top. There were no gaskets there, but I mounted peel and stick gaskets on the bottom of the slider which stops the ingress. Also, don't forget the front hatch. Those gaskets are likely shot too, because it usually gets used - a lot. And, of all things, any hole that was drilled into the hull, either by the builder or you, topside, anywhere, needs to be re-caulked from time to time, ie: coax connection, lights connections, stanchions, etc.
The windows are the other likely culprit. Your boat is now 33 years old. Unless you have re-bedded the windows, the gasket goo they used to bed the windows is kaput and will leak like a sieve in a good rain.
I wish you luck! Let us know what you find.
BTW, where in southern Maryland do you sail? I've kept my boat in many marinas in southern Maryland, and my last marina before I moved to Baltimore was on Mattawoman Creek in Charles County. I have to admit, that was great sailing, had some great restaurants you could pull up to, and downright gorgeous!
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #4
And thanks for your suggestions. I can figure out how to reseal the ports and can look to purchase some kid of gasket for the companionway door and slider. What about the seal for the pop top itself. I put in some peel and stick stuff so that there would be a better seal when the pop top is closed, which is pretty much all the time, but wonder how effective it is.
I've also been searching the forums to see how to locate and replace the keel bolt so I can re-bed and seal it. I have the picture from the old manual, but can;t make hide nor tails of it. The last thing I want to do is wreck it while trying to fix it.
Thanks again.
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #5
- Jun 3, 2004
- 1,863
- #6
- Jun 24, 2010
- 189
- #7
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #8
- Sep 21, 2014
- 81
- #9
Thanks, Captain Ron. My wife works for the Navy, so my boat is in the West Basin Marina at the naval base at Pax River. My sailing grounds are the Patuxent River and the Bay near the river.And thanks for your suggestions. I can figure out how to reseal the ports and can look to purchase some kid of gasket for the companionway door and slider. What about the seal for the pop top itself. I put in some peel and stick stuff so that there would be a better seal when the pop top is closed, which is pretty much all the time, but wonder how effective it is.
I've also been searching the forums to see how to locate and replace the keel bolt so I can re-bed and seal it. I have the picture from the old manual, but can;t make hide nor tails of it. The last thing I want to do is wreck it while trying to fix it.
Thanks again.
- Sep 21, 2014
- 81
- #10
- Feb 8, 2017
- 103
- #11
A thought about the keel bolt replacement: just remember the swing keel weighs 625 pounds and can bite you pretty good, or worse, if it gets away from you. If you're at all unsure, take it to a yard and have them do it. There are certainly several fine yards all around that area, and you can always trailer it to a more distant location. On my '85, the nut for removing the keel bolt is located in the compartment that holds the battery. Cheers!
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #12
Thanks for that advice. I was looking in the bilge and thought that was the bolt for the keel. That's also where a lot of the water seemed to be. If that isn't the location of the keel boat, what is it?Arknoah, I kept my boat at West Basin Marina at Pax River for 5 years when I was active duty AF. I loved the location, but not so much the facility. But it was an easy sail to great restaurants in Solomons and a relatively short sail to the eastern shore.
A thought about the keel bolt replacement: just remember the swing keel weighs 625 pounds and can bite you pretty good, or worse, if it gets away from you. If you're at all unsure, take it to a yard and have them do it. There are certainly several fine yards all around that area, and you can always trailer it to a more distant location. On my '85, the nut for removing the keel bolt is located in the compartment that holds the battery. Cheers!
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #13
Thanks to all for your suggestions!
- Feb 6, 2018
- 3
- #14
- Feb 20, 2011
- 7,861
- #15
Which gaskets?can I change the gaskets without pulling the boat out of the water?
Keel pivot bolt? No.
- Feb 8, 2017
- 103
- #16
- Apr 19, 2012
- 1,043
- #17
Besides that there is too much weight on the bolt to pull it out. Once you have the boat out of the water you'll need to raise the keel just enough to remove all stress on the bolt. Then it will come out easily.to replace the gaskets, you'll have to pull the bolt for the keel, which would drop the keel out the bottom of your boat.
- Feb 6, 2018
- 3
- #18
- May 12, 2010
- 237
- #19
Yep. That's what Blue Water told me, too. They suggested I build a platform to put under a scissor jack from my car and bracing the keel so the pressure is off it. I haven't done it yet, but it seems pretty simple.Besides that there is too much weight on the bolt to pull it out. Once you have the boat out of the water you'll need to raise the keel just enough to remove all stress on the bolt. Then it will come out easily.
- Feb 6, 2018
- 3
- #20
I got it out of the water. So it begins, lol. I painted the 21' in a week, and now I'm living on it at Nettles Island, in Jensen Beach Fl.Awesome, thanks guys. I just bought a trailer to pull the boat out. Wouldn't you know, the trailer cost me $200 and came with a 21 foot sailboat too. I pick it up tomorrow.
Source: https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/leaks-in-my-little-ol-mac-25.189037/
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