still leaking

[Marlene Anne Sassaman]

Convinced I should launch SPRAY despite feelings of a poorly executed sealing job, there was a feeling of relief when she stayed dry upon her initial splash. For the next three hours the repaired sections stayed bone dry. Eventually I drifted off to a light sleep but easily woke up while shifting positions. With a bit of hesitation I checked the propellar shaft area and noted only a teensy bit of water entered during the night. Replacing the properllar shaft, by a workman at the yard,  was one of the areas repaired during the past 8 weeks in the boat yard. My exasperation reached its limit after walking to the forward cabin to note the repair I did was ineffective.

Originally, I applied silicon to the disk that covers the centerboard pivot pin. If you refer to my previous blog about screwing, you will get a better idea of the learning curve I am on. When the silicon failed to hold back any water upon launch we immediately hauled SPRAY back into the yard. And, again, read yesterday's blog for that day's frustration. In short, I had to pull off the disk, scrap off the silicon and sand the disk smooth. My sanding leaves a lot to be desired and I wanted to coat the wood with fresh epoxy. It was argued that since I would be using 4200 to seal the disks together adding epoxy would not be needed.

Why, oh why did I go against my instinct despite advice from an expert boat repair person. But I did; that is, I did not put a coat of epoxy on the disk. I did apply 4200 hundred to the disk. Despite wearing gloves my hands became covered in the white sealant. Now, at 4 am, it is obvious I got more 4200 on my hands than the disk. For the disk is slowly leaking and my hands are sore from soaking in acetone. So, now, do I again haul the boat? I'm embarrassed, frustrated, and for the first time wondering if I should abandon the boat.