Statute of limitations on DPO ?

[Timm R Oday25]

We've owned our 25 Oday  20 years by now . Perhaps a bit petty of me , I've driven myself close to the edge of sanity in my attempt at a dry bilge .
I've resealed the traveller that runs across the bridge deck . I've resealed the cockpit cubby's where the lines for the dare stay are stashed . Checked rechecked the port lights for any signs of leaking .
This fall , I decided to remove the bulkhead mounted sailing gauges that have never worked . A friend's son made me some plugs with his 3 D printer that were a perfect fit . When I pulled out the first gauge I was stunned to see there was nothing holding it in place other than gravity ! It never occurred to me that the leaks were from the factory installation of an accessory! You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.

[Doug SC]

Wow! I have to wonder if they were installed on a Monday after a holiday, or if this was some kind of bean counting cost cutting. I suppose there could be other excuses. I Just don't think any of them would hold water!  

[Wolverine]

I once helped a neighbor trace a leak to a lifeline stanchion on his 2 year old Catalina 22. We found no kind of sealant so we removed all the deck hardware, gudgeons, stern ladder, bow rail, stern rail and outboard bracket off. No sealant under anything. When he contacted the dealer he purchased it from, they weren't surprised. They said often times small, trailerable boats are assembled without sealant, but the hull to deck joint is always glued with 5200.

Afterwards I removed everything off my 1985 Compac 19 and...no sealant.