Water coming in near keel pivot

[usererror]

Hello Everyone!

I've finally had a chance to really sail the venture out on the water. Having a slip for a whole season really helps!

Now that I'm getting more acquainted with the boat I've discovered where I'm taking on water when sailing. If we're going 3-5 knots (sail or motor) or I hit a big wake from a powerboat I take on water from a hole that is in the bilge area where the keel pivots. How many 'holes' should be there? Or if not, I wonder why I would have a hole. It's about the diameter of my index finger. If I remove the bilge cover that is under the forward most seat in the 'galley' area and then reach toward the keel pivot area I can feel air / water coming through a hole there.

I have the bolt that the keel pivots on, that seems to not be bring in water. I have the top bolt that I put into place so that keel stays down, but I don't typically use it. I am missing the covers that would go over those two bolt areas so for now there is just tape on them. This keeps the cabin 98% dry...I just got a few drips from the top bold area.

So after each sail I am bilging out 5-8 buckets of water. I'm going to get an automatic bilge pump installed in a few weeks when I take the boat out of the water. The previous owner(s) never had a bilge pump but maybe they didn't have the issue, or use it enough for it to be an issue.

Is there something missing from the bottom side of the boat maybe? Any suggestions for plugging the hole that would be bringing in water? I can't seem to figure out what this hole would be used for. I have been waiting for Lake Michigan to warm up enough to drive under the boat so I can to a visual inspection for anything obvious from that side.

Thank for any input!

[SENCMac26x]

I think that might be the hole where the bolt that prevents the keel from swing too far forward is supposed to be.

[usererror]

I think that might be the hole where the bolt that prevents the keel from swing too far forward is supposed to be.

Does that mean there are two bolts then? One for locking the keel in place and another for keeping it from swinging too far?

[SENCMac26x]

I'm almost 100 positive. (been awhile since I've had my 25.

[SENCMac26x]

I'm almost 100 percent positive. (been awhile since I've had my 25.) But the smaller bolt is supposed to keep the keel from slinging forward and damaging the hull in the event the keel cable breaks.

Some pictures below

[usererror]

Looks like I have to do some crawling around! I'm wondering if my water is coming in from the bold that maybe held the rubber bumper in place.

I'll post back once I get back. I'm out of town for work the next two weeks.