We all hate the WET SPOT !!

I hauled the boat 2 weeks ago and am now seeing this. What could be causing it? What is the fix? I'm kind of a newbie here.

First read www.pearsonariel.org/keelvoids
google: keel voids Pearson Ariel.

Yours possibly could be a leak in your prop cavity filler piece.
It looks like you do not have an inboard?

Do you have water in your sump aft of the ballast keel - under the companion way in an Ariel?
If you have water here, or just did, some age related damage to the keel right at the rudder
shaft might leak water thru from the bilge inside.
The wetness may not be coming from inside, but merely from under the paint.
But your paint looks pretty good.

If wet spots continue, you might remove the paint at the front of the rudder heel fitting,
It's possible to have some issue with the rudder shoe/heel fitting fasteners
where it is wet, see if water drips from there. Same above the gudgeon strap.
My Ariel had its prop filler piece replaced. Remember it being wet, but not the paint.

If water is dripping from either of these two wet spots, then you have to trace back where
the water is coming from....

If you have water in your encapsulated keel, it is possible it is draining internally to the
lowest point. Which is right at the heel fitting. Could be doing this quick or slow.
That would not explain the wet above the gudgeon.
Need more info.

Bunch of possibilities.

Doesn't look too serious, unless you're going off shore?

Commander #266 "The Way"

I'll scrape away the paint to see what's underneath and also inspect my bilges. The boat is relatively new to me and I'm still learning what is where. Getting to The aft bilge is a bit of a chore. I'm contemplating making a new rudder but have way more important projects this year.

Here's the complete link to the "keel voids" thread:

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussi...s&daysprune=-1

As Ebb said, you need to review this thread before proceeding . . .