INVESTIGATOR 563

well we were going out to set up and try out the new main sail
as the boat was coming off the trailer it ran and then stop dead
having a look around i could not see what was wrong then spotted the center board sightly down jamming in the trailer
we winched the boat back up lifted the center board and ran it off the trailer
all good .

we left the dock got 20 min out and i could see water at the floor boards in the cabin

first thing i did turn on the emergency pump in the bulge and told the crew we are taking on water
the pump start off shooting water out which was a good sign

put my finger in the water stuck it in my mouth yep salty water not rain water bad sign
pull up the metal board and look in the bulge yep damage center bolt water poring in .

we made it back but thank goodness i put the pump in when we first got her.
best thing i ever did

video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfzSm9olBlY

Atles, that was a close call. Well played anyway , you almost got to test the 563s unsinkability . I always worried about the centre bolt on Spritzig II as I'm moored so as mentioned in a few earlier threads I put secondary seals over the bolts made from stout square plastic bottle tops cut off just below the shoulder of the bottle. These are sika flexed on and allow you to see if you have a leak while containing the leak . Also you can screw the top off to adjust the nut with the right tool. Good luck with your repair.

I think I got those bottles from Coles but after so long , about 8 years or so I'm not sure??

Atles

I had a similar problem a few years back when the CB got caught on trailer and caused bilge leakage albeit minor, in the same position. I took the opportunity to re-glass that whole section where the through bolt goes and strengthen it and use good seals on the thru-bolt. Not had any problem since - its completely watertight..fingers crossed.

Best

Mark

we had just started to put our new sail up
only i did not have time to finish pulling it tight . it just got left
i have now put the video up sorry about the lingo from the young one
but we all used to talk funny as kids.lol
i was trying not to laugh about it, the whole day little things had gone wrong .
this was just icing on the cake.

Atles, watched your vid last night . The new sail looks great. As I've said before the most memorable days are the ones when everything goes wrong...and hopefully you overcome the problem.

Getting a few Investigator vids on YouTube now. Have to get the go pro out .