Hi Bonnie,
Since you are the new owner of the M15, you have no way of knowing if the
water you found is "your" water - from sailing in 2007 - or if it is 10
or more year old water from the previous owner(s).
Test No. 1:
Stick your finger in the water and give it a taste: If the water is
salty, it's probably a tiny leak down below. ( I assume you haven't been
sailing where you had green water coming over the bow as you bashed to
windward)
If the water is fresh, then it's probably rain water leakage from the
deck through bow pulpit stanchion bases; deck hardware; etc. - where old
bedding compounds are not properly sealing the hardware items any more.
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Since this is your first look in that bow area, you really have no idea
how old that water may be (drink a Martini after doing the water test to
disinfect your mouth).
I'd first get the water out and dry the area. Then after you start
sailing in 2008, you can periodically check that bow area to see if it
remains dry; viz. either you don't have a problem; or, you'll find out if
any new water accumulation is fresh water or salt water. Then the real
search for the source can begin.
As another check:
- Are any of the bow pulpit stanchions wobbly or loose? They should be
securely fashened with no movement discernable.
- Bow chocks?
- Bow fitting?
- Cleat?
- Any gelcoat craze cracks in the bow area next to the teak toe rail?
- Any faint water drip lines on the paint surface in the bow area (that
would show you where the water is coming from)
Any of the above might be a source for rain water leakage.
Don't fasten the cover with screws again. Just put it in place, and then
you can easily check after each visit to your boat: is the area dry; or
does it have water?
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How about the bow eye for the winch hook? Is it loose? Does it have
bedding compound to seal it?
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M15s all have styrofoam blocks in the bow area for flotation, as well as
under the cockpit sole.
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I used that bow area as storage for my big anchor / chain / and rode. It
is also a good spot for stowing some gallon containers of water: it gets
weight up forward where it is most useful.
Give me a call in Spring, and I'll be glad to come down and do some
searching and inspection for you. (860-633-5351)
Hope this information starts to narrow the search for the leak.
Connie
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