Pulling the boat Apart? Fixing leaks

[sailor ja]

Ok some of you might know that Virginia was hit hard by the tropical storm combined with the nor'easter. Despite the fact my boat is always covered by a huge tarp the boat still got water in the the cockpit and leaked from the little bolts that hold the two piece v21 together. It caused the boat to fill with water and tip the boat backwards on the trailer. Anyways I want to fix this. Should I just seal the bumper gaurds on the boat or pull them off and take the boat apart in two pieces and reseal it all from there? I am buying new hatch seals soon as well.

[James V]

First thing is to find where the leaks are comming from. Get someone to help you. Get a water hose with a sprayer. Get inside with something to document the leaks and have them go around the boat slowly.

Removing and cleaning and reinstalling the bumper guard is a timely process and should not be taken lightly. I know that all of my bolts on the deck need to be taken off and resealed.

Getting that much water inside the boat in that short of time I think that your hatch seal's are the worst problem. The main hatch may have had water blown under it as well.

Good luck, I hope everything is dried out and cleaned and preped so you do not have any mold or other growth.