Hi all, I've just joined the forum having looked at it for a while, thanks for accepting my membership. Last year I bought an Austral Clubman 8 year 1994 and have had it on a mooring between sails. I've just taken it out of the water for the wet season (I live in far north Queensland). I discovered that it had water between the inner side of the hull and its moulded floor panels. The hull is sound and neither of the 2 hull penetrations leak. The material covering the drop keel casing is wet along where it meets the moulded floor panels so I suspect a keel box leak. I've lifted the keel up as far as it will go which is about 75 mm above the bottom of the hull and can see the join of the keel box and hull, which looks ok. There is what appears to be an inspection panel in the cabin on the side of the keel box and I've removed the screws attaching it but it seems to be glued into place. I don't want to try to force it off in ignorance and damage anything. Hoping there are some members who have an Austral or have a friend who has one who can advise. I sent an email to Austral but didn't get a reply, thanks in anticipation.

I had an Austral 20, but it is an entirely different beast. I think you'll find it difficult to get answers from the manufacturer, because the people who built the boats have, probably, long since gone.

If you have not done so already, post a query on the Trailer Sailer Place - trailersailerplace.com.au/phpBB3/

Thanks Archenar, i'll try your suggestion, didn't know of this forum

I used to have Clubman 8 #8026. Back in 2007 if I remember.
You can pull that inspection hatch off the side of the keel case. Just seal it back up when it goes back on. I think we did it in the water at Hamilton Island once. Our salt water leak was thru this hatch, evident by the carpet on the side of the keel case dripping in that area.

I do remember the moulded inner floor, which looks nice, but makes trouble shooting things tricky.

I think there was also some talk about leaks into the hull/liner area coming from the outboard well somewhere ?

Saltwater leaks can come from higher up if you dip the rail or take waves when its rough.

hope this helps,

Az

Thanks Azamagnum, my wet areas is the lining at the bottom of the keel case and visible water between the moulded floor and hull, whilst that area doesnt seem to have a great deal of space to hold water there are inspecion ports in moulded loor but aren't reall much use so i'm in theprocess of pulling things off and checking sealing starting at the top so its going to be a painful case of elimination.

From memory mine didn't have inspection ports on the floor lining.
Leads me to think that your previous owner may have put these in to find the leak...

I assume you mean the carpet that lines the outside of the keel case.
Mine was wet around the bottom of this too, but that makes sense as water will run down the carpet.

Can you take the keel pulley assembly off the deck, then get a jack under the keel to push it up into the keel case to give you more room to grind and fill the exterior hull/keel case join ?

Unless you have access to a tall tree and chain block to raise your keel higher than normal (after removal of deck pulleys) ?