Cockpit Drain Idea

[Major_Clanger]

My boat - Co26 - doesn't have a self-draining cockpit and I'd like opinions please as to the idea I've arrived at to overcome the problem (and I'm referring to the problem of safety, not wet feet).

Later Contessas solved the problem by raising the cockpit floor, but this IMO makes the seating position quite uncomfortable. My boat has a hand/12v pump to get rid of cockpit water but I want to have something foolproof in the event that I take a big breaking wave on board. So here's the idea - fit a 2in. horizontal drain in the cockpit (obviously above the waterline) leading aft/downwards to the transom via a one-way valve. It'll then self-drain, just leaving 6in. or so of water that won't be enough to affect the boat's sea-keeping, and that I can pump out myself.

Make sense?

 

[ghostlymoron]

I don't understand how a horizontal drain can flow down to the transom. Apart from that it could work although non return valves don't work perfectly especially at low differential heads.
I'm surprised to learn that a boat who's design is universally aclaimed has such a fundamental fault.

 

[sarabande]

It might be possible to set up a self-starting syphon, but cross-section of the tube would need to be significant to be of much use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zjzuqe9gAw

 

[Major_Clanger]

Horizontal as in the mounting of the cockpit fitting; the flow will be gently downwards to the transom.

Many boats of her era (remembering the origins of the design date back to the 30s) didn't self-drain. It's never proved to be a problem, although I've yet to have a big wave break over me.

 

[pvb]

It's never proved to be a problem, although I've yet to have a big wave break over me.

Perhaps you're worrying unnecessarily, especially if your proposed solution would still leave 6" of water in the cockpit.

 

[duncan99210]

If you’re going to fit a cockpit drain, why not simply take it from the cockpit deck vertically out the bottom of the hull? My 1969 Hurley 18 has two drains like this, exiting the hull close to the keel. The cockpit deck is high enough above the water line to prevent any back flow.

 

[pvb]

If you’re going to fit a cockpit drain, why not simply take it from the cockpit deck vertically out the bottom of the hull?

The implication is that his cockpit floor is below water level.

 

[Kukri]

If the cockpit is full, the trim of the boat may be affected so that it no longer drains through the transom, but floods...

I'd suggest a Whale 30 as the cockpit pump with a diverter valve - cockpit or bilges - on the intake side. I think it could go in a locker with a "through deck" fitting for the handle.

 

[duncan99210]

The implication is that his cockpit floor is below water level.

Looking at drawing on line, seems the deck may be at or just above the waterline, so you’re right, vertical drains won’t work. Equally, I’d have thought a horizontal drain via the transom is not going to contribute much leaving quite a bit of water to get rid of. All that said, looking at the drawings, the way the boats built the chances of taking a big wave into the cockpit are pretty small, so I’d be tempted to leave well alone.

 

[johnalison]

Co26s have done Atlantic crossings, but I don't know if they were self-draining, though many non-self-drainers have done the same. I think that unless you were doing an ocean crossing you would be desperately unlucky to be pooped to that extent. I sailed downwind off Ostend in the tail end of a gale in a similar-sized Mystere with enormous waves following and didn't ship a single drop.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Don't save money and waste time fitting small drains, I fitted 2 x 38 mm dia in each corner and they worked fine

View attachment 77690
View attachment 77691

 

[Major_Clanger]

Thanks all for your input. Non self-drainers were commonplace in Vim's era and nobody minded too much. I don't mind either; it's only the possibility of taking her to the open ocean that has exercised my mind. Contessas are wonderfully seaworthy, but they are wet boats, very wet boats! There's more beneath the water than above although her design ensures the snug cockpit stays mostly dry. My concern is more to do with being pooped by a large breaking wave. Unlikely of course, but it happens.

If the cockpit is full, the trim of the boat may be affected so that it no longer drains through the transom, but floods...

Minn, that is an excellent point. Food for further thought!

Co26s have done Atlantic crossings, but I don't know if they were self-draining, though many non-self-drainers have done the same. I think that unless you were doing an ocean crossing you would be desperately unlucky to be pooped to that extent.

Many Co26s have done crossings yes, both cockpit versions. I'm looking ahead and contemplating taking her further afield, hence looking in to a possible solution now. For the time being though my next port of call will probably be Brightlingsea!

 

[neil_s]

It can happen to a traditional long keeler! I was pooped while sailing my Folkdancer down wind some miles off the Lizard. I had too much sail up! Lots of the water surged out over the cockpit coamings, but it left the cockpit well about half full. Good job I had the wash boards in! I had one small drain and the cockpit did empty itself over about ten minutes. I remember the log hard on it's end-stop (10 knots!) while surfing down the waves.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Not the same boat or configuration but a previous owner did almost exactly that on my Hurley 20.. she already has cockpit drains and at some time I'll glass over the holes as I'm really not sure she'll ever need them... but it's low priority.. No valve, and I've never had flow back (if I had the priority would rise somewhat )

 

[andsarkit]

My Contessa of the same vintage came with a horizontal drain about 4 inches up from the cockpit sole with a non return valve. I was pooped once in a gale off Portugal and it took quite a long time to drain. There were also 2 small drains that went into the bilge that were normally kept plugged.
I later raised the cockpit sole by about 4 inches and fitted the usual crossed drains through seacocks in the transom. I use thick closed cell foam cushions to sit on but there is still the downside of the boom now at head height unless you are very short.
Jeremy Rodgers converted an old Contessa by cutting out and raising the whole cockpit but this is probably beyond the ability of the average owner.
I have also seen a sump fitted in the cockpit sole with a small electric bilge pump to empty any accumulated water. This is probably the easiest solution. (pm me if you need details of the boat and owner)
Another transatlantic Contessa fitted a plywood partial cover over the cockpit to deflect any waves breaking over the stern. I suspect this was a real PITA for normal sailing.