Hi guys,
Been out the last coup,e of weekends and now on my 4th season in my boat and for the first time I have discovered a very small amount of water in the hull. After drying it comes back after sailing again so something below the water line. My thoughts are mast plug drain hole of centreboard slot/ pivot pin area??
Has anyone had any experience or any ideas. Going to do a leak test but hoping its an easy one.
The only thing I'm conscious of doing over the winter was clearing the mast plug hole that was blocked and not draining so poked a very small dia drill bit up through it to clear it. Just wondering if I've maybe opened up a small crack or hole in that area but water shouldn't  go up there anyway???
My best guess its around the slot area.
Any advice or thoughts would be welcomed so I can get her blowing back when removing the bunge.....
Cheers,
Keith.

Similar experience with Jane's boat (#135).  Leak test showed nothing.  Took it to an RS builder.  He did a pressure test and it passed the factory exit test.  He said mast foot should not leak as he believed it is an integral [tube + base] so as long as there isn't separation of the mast tube (with integral base) from the hull it should not leak.  He fixed minor leaking around the stern hatch and the lower pintle but we haven't had a chance to test it again yet.  If it does still leak, focus will be on movement around the centreboard case when under load.
Let me know if you find anything and I will do likewise!

Giles

Just got back from a quick trip to RS this morning. The metal plate at the bottom of the mast pot came loose at Stokes and lifted out when I removed the mast.

This I could have fixed, but when I had a good look around the mast pot the join at the top, between pot and inner floor moulding was looking scruffy, with a couple of cracks in the gelcoat. Showed pics to Rob at RS who suggested I took it in.

They pressure tested it and happily no leaks but put some flow-coat-gel over the join and redid the metal plate for me. With the hour drive, it was still probably quicker than me trying to sort it myself.

2 morals. Really good, happy, friendly customer service (sadly a far longer drive for you Keith). And check join to floor moulding at top of mast pot. If you've got the same issue as I had, and it was not draining, that may be where your leak is.

I also decided that getting the camera in there and taking some close-ups is easier than trying to eyeball it.

Could be my issue. The mast foot is not draining quickly and over the winter I thought the drain hole was clogged so poked a small drill bit up through it. This I think may be my problem area. Did a leak test and couldn't find anything myself. Not like the old laser days where there would be bubbles all over the place.
I will take a closer look at the foot area again.

My boat is taking in water whilst it is in the dinghy park. Have concluded it can only be coming in through the mast pot area as this regularly fills with water (coming down the mast) as it doesn't drain well. Getting quite a bit in.

C

l nearly sank at the 2013 Nationals and took the boat to RS on the way home. They were very helpful, and didna pressure test, which it appeared to pass. Nevertheless, the problem was as you have described - the plate at the base of the pot had come adrift and pushed through the side of the pot.

I think it is a regular issue, as RS went straight for it, although they did check the fittings and wings (as we all did in the pen).

I had to leave it with them to dry it out and repair it, but they did it for free, which was very nice!

Mostyn

This is a known issue with the 300 and is easily fixed.
It would be good to let everyone know, maybe if you bump into another 100 sailor you could advise them?
Tim

The metal base plate  for the mast on my boat, 153, is loose and I was wondering how it should be fastened down. I think it's going to be a DIY job because I live at the wrong end of the country! Also what size should the  the drain hole from the mast step be and how does that work when sailing? 
 

The drain hole is about 3mm 1/8th inch, i think from RS, the step is secured with a blob of resin or gel coat, mine came loose, so I secured it with some double sided foam tape, so the weight so the mast weight stops it from moving around and it can still drain. 

Thanks Jamie, panicked a bit when I could see daylight through the bottom of my boat. 

RS suggested i used sikaflex around the edge of the base of the sleeve and just used a drill or bolt to line up the hole in the metal base plate with the one in the hull, and push the plate down and just smooth off the stuff that squeezed up the side.
This seemed to work well and is very easy
Mark 

Poke a suitably sized allen key up from underneath and taped to the hull to keep the hole clear (plus it lines up the plate). Sikaflex seems to have worked well for me. 

For a permanent repair securing the mushroom to the hull you'll need thixotropic epoxy but Sikaflex does an excellent repair, grease the allen key or drill before inserting helps. Good luck.

Yes, thickened epoxy is what you need for a permanent repair and you should allow this to fill the gap between the mushroom and the housing to spread the load.
 
Good idea to line up the drain holes as surprisingly tough to drill through from below afterwards !