Is there anyone knowlegable out there who can give me a tip on how to stop leaks at my centreboard bolt? Judging by the reinforcements along the keel line previous owners of K463 have had the whole casing wobble but this is more basic and is there a simple solution to bail me out (geddit)?
The centreboard bolt will probably always leak a little. Look at your rubber washers and make sure they are pliable no cracks and grip the bolt tightly IE the hole in the rubber is slightly smaller than the bolt diameter. Also that the area around the bolt hole is perfectly smooth so the washers have a chance to seal against the case. Are your stainless washers perfectly flat and large enough to do the job ? have the holes in the case become so enlarged that the washers can't cover the hole completely when under load ? Check all these things and you might improve the situation. Good luck.
Thanks Mike, all really useful pointers. It is very possible that my stainless washers are not big enough and also that I should tighten the bolt more. Anyway the boat is a delight to sail and a complete rocket ship for a picknicker like me. To think that I could be sailing in a Drascombe lugger - yike!
