tophatyachts.com

Hi Fellow Tophatters
Martin from Willie, last Tuesday went out to poke about on Genda to replace some halyards etc and found the yacht next to mine SUNK and two foot of water in the guts of mine after a big storm last week.
Half way though the pump out a water bottle cap jammed the bilge that was fun fixing, the diesel fired up Ok with no signs for water contamination.
Any idea where the most likely leaks will be other than the hatch cover and can any one suggest a the best option as a replacement cover
Cheers Martin
I would like to add photos but not sure how to post them on this site

Where abouts' are you Martin and what mark Top Hat do you have.

Hi Phillip
I'm out at Williamstown Vic next to Wayward Lady Kevins Toppie
Had the Old girl for about two years replaced the motor and scraped it's bum replaced halyards with spectra recently, plenty more to do.
I purchased the Genda from a mate I worked with "mate' and have had a lot of fun poking about with her but it's time to do some sailing.
Any tips re the hatch cover
Cheers Martin

Hi Martin,

We had 10mm of rain in Melbourne on Monday and 10mm about a week previously. I would be surprised if this would be enough to result in two feet of water inside the boat if the leak was due to just rain falling on the hatch. You might be better to investigate whether it is leaking somewhere else such as the cockpit drains, or from through hull fittings which are normally just above the waterline and which may have leaked due to waves in the prolonged strong winds we have had in the last few weeks.

Steve

A suggestion - if your motor is a diesel, check the gearbox oil. Yanmars have a breather hole in the oil filler/dipstick cap which will allow water in if it reaches that level. Please don't ask me how I know.

Cheers,Graeme

Hi Martin,
The stern gland is a good place to start looking for leaks.
The adjustable type, with packing as the seal, needs to drip once every thirty seconds when motoring.
This setting will usually result in no drips when the motor is stopped.
The water passing through the gland lubricates it.
Once the gland has settled-in it will usually not require much adjustment but it pays to check regularly if any work has been done which might have changed the alignment of the shaft.
Cheers,
Tom

Thanks Tom and Graeme for the tips
I have been a bit concerned abut the stern gland and oil contamination of the box, I'll pump it out and change box oil just in case.
The storm the other week was bad enough to destroy the renovated bout ramp at Brighton,the boat doesn't normally take in water so I would like to replace the main hatch cover does anyone fabricate a replacement for a mark 1 that you know of
Cheers

Brett Diessel had the Top Hat moulds when I spoke to him a couple of years ago.
His mobile number was 0402 442 043.
Cheers,
Tom

Thanks Man really appreciate the reply
Cheers Martin

Martin,

Before you check your hull fittings make sure you have a collection of wood cones in case one has split.

You can get a bagged set of different one from Whitworths etc.