by Dick Wischer
Many of you that read this will notice that we keep on the subject of water leaks in the hull. The reason is that it is the one worry that must be cured before you have major problems. When the hull takes on all that water, the battery connection gets wet and corrosion IS the result. A bad connection here will shorten battery life. If the transmitter gets wet, you loose control of the boat.
There are many things that happen when the hull is too full of water. Sinking is the worst, in fresh water ponds it just takes drying out. Any amount of water in the hull tends to sink the yacht below the intended waterline. If it is not sailing on the lines it was designed to sail on, it slows down. If you sail in salt water and get water in the receiver, you can almost kiss those electronics good-by. I have had the battery connector drop into salty water, instant loss of current to the receiver. The same happens when any plug drops into salt water. If this happens, the best cure is to wash everything in tap water as soon as possible. Stop the leak in the hull, enough comes in when water runs over the deck.