Winter 2008/09

Winter 2008/09 Improvements -- Before and After

I didn't like how the mainsheet routing cluttered the cockpit (it ran to both gunwales), so I fabricated a bench and mounted the sheeves & cleat centrally. This addition also makes a nice place to sit and see over the bow:

Aft view of cockpit before improvements:

There was no electrical system to speak of, so I started from scratch. I built a battery box that fit into the V-berth. The negative bus bar is seen here -- unseen is the Mains switch in the next locker. The portable charger fits in, too:

I located the fuse panel on the most accessible bulkhead, and made a box to cover and protect the wiring. All wiring is marine grade #14 or better, all connections heat shrinked and labeled:

Electrical wiring before improvements:

Anchoring securely is a must, so I constructed a beefy "bowsprit" to roll out my 22lb Danforth. I sawed a hole in the foredeck and stuffed the resulting anchor locker with over 20ft of chain and close to 200ft of rode:

Foredeck before improvements:

I reworked the all the "plumbing". Freshwater is now pumped from a jug directly under the sink (rather than a jug under V-berth). I added a seacock to the drain line emptying into dropkeel case (not visible here). And I installed an automatic bilge pump:

Plumbing before improvements:

I made several improvements at the stern. These include the new Garelick outboard bracket, stainless and aluminum fabrications for rudder mount, and bilge pump discharge. After this photo was taken, I also attached a depthsounder transducer and modified the rudder hinge pin:

Stern before improvements:

re-launch success! -- but . . .

We got her launched again, and she seemed dry as a bone. But after 10 minutes at the dock, I noticed a wet spot on the carpet! Nothing to do with the previous repair. I traced it back to an old screw hole on the marine head compartment sole (she came with an aftermarket portapotty). Wasn't going to let such a little weeping impede us this time, so i kneaded up some epoxy putty and plugged her wet. And away we went!

she don't leak!

With the gap around the keel stuffed with foam insulation from below, I poured about 5 gallons of water into the trunk from the maintenance port above. Filled it up to the top, and didn't see any leak from either the limit bolt or where trunk is cemented to the hull. Looks like she's ready for another launch attempt -- this Saturday?

sealant the solution?

One fellow Matilda owner got back to me already. His suggestion supports my idea that the solution may be as simple as rebedding the limit/pivot bolt head and nut with marine sealant. I prepared the area and did so with fast curing Sikaflex. I plan to test it by temporarily caulking the keel trunk from the outside, and pouring water into the trunk from the maintenance port above. If the bolt doesn't leak, I'll try another launch soon!

assessing the leaky bolt

I have been reviewing other Matilda blogs in light of events. Fortunately, mine is NOT a "tail-heavy" keel bulb, and shows no sign of the typical serious deteriorations discussed. Unfortunately I find no mention of my particular problem on the blogs. Upon inspection, I'm pretty confident new sealant around the "limit/pivot" bolt head and nut will solve my leak (and I think I can test it without relaunching).

first post: a call for help!

On Sun. Feb 15 2009 I launched my 1972 Matida 20 (NOT TAIL HEAVY KEEL) for the first time. Water started peeing in both head & nut ends of the SS limiter bolt that is through the base of the keel trunk. Tightening it seemed to compress the trunk width at that point but didn't stop the leak at all. I had let the keel down, but didn't note if cable was all the way out. Any ideas for me?