Blocked Cockpit Drains

[Dougie_the_Mate]

At the start of the season I had the devil of a job unblocking the two cockpit drains - I'm not sure the Port side is fully clear even yet - as a result of catkins, leaves and other accumulated garbage gathering there over the winter.

I have spent the last week trying to find the wee device which we used to have for the sink to stop peelings etc running down the drain, while allowing the water to flow.

The plumbing centres etc seem only to sell these fancy garbage disposal units and Betterware's version for showers to stop hair going down the plug uses suckers which I am not sure would survive the rigours of a northern winter if indeed they would fit.

The device I had in mind was domelike with wee prongs which went inside the drain with no overlap.

Any advice welcome.

 

[colingr]

A simple and dirt cheap solution is to cut up a plastic mesh pot scourer and stuff that in the top of the drain. Should allow water but not leaves to pass through. Not so elegant but it works.

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

What a good idea. I thought of a piece of chicken wire, but the guy at Keyline said they only sold bales!!!!

 

[Poignard]

Practice golf balls work well for our cockpit drains

 

[Seajet]

when we had an 'interesting moment' spiralling down the Alderney Race in a flat calm after the engine inlet became blocked ( I realise the other way round from your snag but who knows may be useful ) I found a good dinghy foot pump applied by a suitably enthused crew could probably launch a torpedo let alone clear a pipe !

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

I have used the pump to do the same thing as you suggest on a previous occasion, but the situation was not so stressful as the Alderney Race - blocked in Largs Marina!

You cannot imagine all the devices and potions we tried last spring to clear the port drain pipe. I drew the line at an unguent which I am sure would have corroded not just the drain pipe but probably the hull as well.

Do you recall the chemical in Superman 3 - I think the suggested stuff was related to that.

One thing I have is a plentiful supply of practice balls!!!

 

[Seajet]

Dougie,

for my sins I worked as a freelance plumber for a while; no matter how many 80 Shillings, don't try the 'explosive one shot and your problems are gone' type stuff.

Except on a motor boat who's p'd you off...

Hope it's sorted soon, no good applying pump with hose from underneath via a gullible friend ?!

 

[pampas]

thred a length of string through a stainless pot scrubber, stuff in hole with short tail in cockpit Job done

 

[William_H]

Blocked cockpit drains

I think this is a real concern. They are supposed to drain the cockpit really fast if you take water over the stern or side. I would suggest the drains need to be dismantled and cleared of whatever is causing the problem so that you can have confidence the drains are as good as possible. If not redesign the drains. I did once rescue a little boat which had been left on the swing mooring without any attention. The seagull poo and sticks from nest blocked the drains. The water was up high enough to start flowing into the cabin via wash boards. In a little more time it could have been on the bottom. good luck olewill

 

[penfold]

some of these strainers or these strainers.

 

[ianat182]

Aldi do a small red coloured sink unblocker for £1.99 which has a plastic flange that covers the drain hole and will either suck out the blockage or apply air /water pressure to clear.
I also use mine for getting shot of the mussels and barnacle blockages in the raw water intake, and it works.
I like the golfball solution though. Ingenious!

ianat182

 

[rob2]

Just a thought - most domestic stainless items are A2 and will rust in seawater. Probably better to go with plastic if you can.

Rob.

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

Aldi do a small red coloured sink unblocker for £1.99 which has a plastic flange that covers the drain hole and will either suck out the blockage or apply air /water pressure to clear.
I also use mine for getting shot of the mussels and barnacle blockages in the raw water intake, and it works.
I like the golfball solution though. Ingenious!

ianat182

Been in every shop in Dumfries this morning seeking the plastic pot scourers - no joy. Had to settle for something which they sold in Tesco which was - they claim - a stainless steel net scourer. We'll see. Had a packet of practice balls in the shed - will try them - I think they look the best bet.

The problem with Aldi is that they only stock certain items when they are on offer - they had nothing today that seemed to fit the bill.

Going up this week will keep you posted!!!