Nancy, Yes both can be "normal" The M15 cockpit drain is in the front of the cockpit and the CB pendent actually goes down the drain hole. The drain hole is large enough to drain the cockpit fairly rapidly. At speed in a chop the water will splash up this hole and come into the cockpit. If the boat is trimmed well fore and aft regards weight, the water will collect a quart to half a gallon or so on the lee side. When you tack it will drain out and splash up again on the new lee side. Consider it a feature as it helps keep your feet cool and your shoes clean :-). Actually I rarely get my feet wet. Lots of junk can also find it's way down this drain hole into the CB well. If the boat is not used for some time the rain can wash twigs, little rocks, acorns, coconut firber and what have you down the hole. The side to side tolerances for the CB are fairly tight and this debris can "Jamb the CB". Now that the marina has "trimmed" the board it may actually be too loose and will jamb when riding on the trailer. It is possible for the Keel surrounding the CB to swell up due to the iron in the ballast beginning to rust a little but this is not a big deal unless the swelling is very large. If the swelling is there and small the "trim" solution will work for quite a few years. I have drilled a hole in front of the CB pennant, large enough for a 3/8 wooden dowel to use to "push" the board down if it is stuck. Thanks Doug Kelch M15 G #310 "Seas the Day" On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM, Nancy Lau <nancylauprescott@gmail.com>wrote:
We are brand new to sailing and just purchased an M-15 (hull 322) on which to learn.
On our first sail (we were out of town) the CB would not drop. Took her to a marina and they provided a temporary fix by "shaving" the CB which they said had expanded. After returning home we took her out yesterday for about 3-4 hours. Halfway through our sail water small amounts of water (no more than 1-2 cups) began to enter the cockpit through the hole at the CB rope. IS THIS NORMAL? Am suspicious we have some major CB work ahead of us. Can anyone confirm this? Is it safe to continue sailing?
Thank you in advance for any insights, advice, etc.
Nancy Lau