Cockpit lockers - how well sealed are yours?

[peter2407]

My port cockpit locker is actually an access point to the aft berth, and has a bit of a ropey seal - doesnt leak particularly but I worry as to what would happen should a big wave enter the cockpit. The starboard "dirty" locker and the aft sail locker dont have seals and the latches are a bit loose. What would you do? Not planning anything major offshore-wise (yet ...).

 

[Poignard]

Renew the seals?

There's a firm called Seals Direct that offers a good range of profiles.

 

[johnalison]

I'd replace the seals and latches, not a big job. I suppose there is a theoretical risk of the boat getting swamped by a wave while the hatch is open while at sea, but unless you are crossing an ocean this must be pretty small.

 

[peter2407]

It was more a concern that a wave might "stay awhile" when the hatches were closed, and then water getting below. Question - where do storage lockers normally drain to, and how? I assume that it would be the main bilge?

 

[simonfraser]

you're gona have to check where they drain to, on one of my previous boats the aft locker drained on top of the aft bed ....

i recently reseated some leaking locker seals on a thinish bed of silicone, result.

 

[laika]

One of my big concerns is that when the previous owners installed the generator in the locker someone cut a big 'ole through the fibreglass between locker and cockpit, covered by a grille, for air for the genny. Not that I've had a wave filling up the (centre) cockpit yet, but I don't fancy going a long way offshore until that's glassed up. Then of course I have to give it air by some other method or sell it....Locker itself doesn't have seals as such and leaks like crazy but it's that 'ole I'm worried about...

 

[prv]

Question - where do storage lockers normally drain to, and how? I assume that it would be the main bilge?

They don't usually have any special drainage arrangements, and any water will drain into the bilge by default.

Adlard Coles in his famous book mentions several times the problem of flooding through inadequately-sealed cockpit lockers, though I suppose most of us don't sail in the conditions he did. Nevertheless, I'm happier having sealed mine using some rubber and two-part glue from Seals Direct.

Pete