Leak in ski, any tips?

My ski has developed a leak somewhere and is taking on quite a lot of water however I can't find a leak anywhere.

Any tips on how to find where the water is coming in?

Any suspect places to look for that are most likely?

The ski was fine before winter so it might have been frost damage somehow but of course I could also have hit something somewhere.

I had the same problem with a new Stellar SR a few years ago. When I opened the lid for the pressure release I was able to attach a small hand pump and increased the airpressure inside the hull very carefully. Then I rinsed the ski with a bucket full of soapy water and found some tiny holes where the air was coming out. Hope that helps.

First, what ski?

Yes putting a bit of air pressure inside and using soapy water and a brush is the best way, as for using ANY mechanical device to do so, not so much! That can end in tears very quickly, just blow in with your mouth carefully.

The other way of finding leaks is to put a bit of water in the ski and see where it comes out.

You also must differentiate what conditions the ski leaked, calm flat would be potentially the rudder post or the ventury or bailer and possibly the footplate worn through the footwell or a crack in the bottom of the seat. In rough conditions everything is possible.

In the Stellar I usually find the rudder post to be the problem as they do not sand the post very well so a slight bump of the rudder usually dislodges the post from the ski, either top of bottom.

In the Nelo, the jacking rubber footplate posts can wear through the footwell.

It is a Nelo.

Footplate might be right, I hadn't thought of that. The ski took on water in flat conditions. I've been looking on the outside of the ski, didn't even think of looking in the bucket.

I finally got around to checking the ski with soapy water and I found the leak.

It is one of the rudder lines that leaks.

I have no idea how I am going to fix this, I assume professional help will be needed.

If its the gap/sea; around the tube where it passes through the hull a bit of epoxy might fix it. If its a split in the tube so any water entering the tube then leaks into hull then its a pro tube replacement.

Do bubble es come out both front and back. If so that would suggest faulty sleeve. If just one end then it could be the seal around the tube

Sorry to burst your bubble! (excuse the pun) if air comes out the tubes it will come out from both sides as it is open both sides.

But yes mostly the tubes dislodge from one of the ends, glue not good enough or tube not sanded enough or pulled too tight. That will leak a lot.

Another issue can be the SS cable could have worn through the tubing, at the front where the tube comes out at the incorrect angle or at the back where the tubes come out too close together.

I see very few Nelo skis so I don't know them well enough to make an educated guess. The tubes do come out both ends correctly so that will not be your issue plus they use cord not SS cable.

As for putting epoxy around the tube exit, yes it can be done but I have had limited success. Good quality superglue is thiner and will work better to suck in with capillary action. Be sure to remove the cord before doing anything.

Make sure the bubbles are not coming from the rudder post, they can come loose with a hit of the rudder. I usually remove the rudder and suck the hole on the hull with my finger blocking the post on the other end. If that is good and no air can be sucked then I tape the hull and fill the rudder well with soapy water and then blow into the ski gently to see if the top of the post is airtight.