VicS
Well-Known Member
That is why I suggested ASAP
Cockpit not draining
- Thread starter bikerbill
- Start date
That is why I suggested ASAP
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
1) You can buy a cheap domestic sink drain unblocking rod gadget to clear leaves and debris stuck in the pipe.
2) Your worry about breaking the seacock would be reduced if you had some emergency tapered wooden bungs.
3) While big drains are a good thing, bear in mind that your existing arrangement was fitted by a well regarded boatbuilder, and has probably been perfectly satisfactory for the last 30 or more years. Does it really need reconfiguring?
If it were me I'd first try to clear any leaves etc. so at least the cockpit would drain (assuming the seacock (valve) is not stuck closed), then order a suitable replacement seacock, and fit it at the earliest convenient opportunity (easily done drying for a tide if you've got a bilge keeler).
2) Your worry about breaking the seacock would be reduced if you had some emergency tapered wooden bungs.
3) While big drains are a good thing, bear in mind that your existing arrangement was fitted by a well regarded boatbuilder, and has probably been perfectly satisfactory for the last 30 or more years. Does it really need reconfiguring?
If it were me I'd first try to clear any leaves etc. so at least the cockpit would drain (assuming the seacock (valve) is not stuck closed), then order a suitable replacement seacock, and fit it at the earliest convenient opportunity (easily done drying for a tide if you've got a bilge keeler).
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Strainers could be a two edged sword. They might just lead to an accumulation of small debris - most of which would simply have gone down an open drain - blocking the drain.
If this is during layup, perhaps some protection over the cockpit such as netting or a tarpaulin to keep out the leaves might work better?
If this is during layup, perhaps some protection over the cockpit such as netting or a tarpaulin to keep out the leaves might work better?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Sorry for the confusion JumbleDuck, really need to get my terminology rightI was meaning a thru hull skin fitting with a Ball valve attached. .
Not at all. I just wondered whether you had bodge upon bodge - a valve added to a stuck seacock, say - in which case a wholesale simplification might have been a good idea.
bikerbill
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the links and tips, much appreciated. Will get a new valve after the holidays. Yes, LeighB a tarp would make more sense 
PS, the existing valve is jammed open.
PS, the existing valve is jammed open.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Blocking of cockpit drains is not so unusual. I rmember seeing a sweet little 20 fter on a swing mooring well down on the water line. Close investigation showed the cockpit full of water to the point of going over the bridge deck into he cabin. Well on the way to sinking. The water was from rain. The blockage from leaves stcks and seagull feces. The real problem beinmg neglect by the owner. He obviously had not visited for many months.
My little boat has simple drain in each aft corner of the cockpit to an elbow of plastic pipe to a transom skin fitting. All plastic. No seacock. The skin fittings are well above the water line with no one on board. With a lot of heavy crew in the cockpit (6 people) the water does come in for wet feet. But no additional noticebale water entry when heeled.
I think simple is best. olewill
My little boat has simple drain in each aft corner of the cockpit to an elbow of plastic pipe to a transom skin fitting. All plastic. No seacock. The skin fittings are well above the water line with no one on board. With a lot of heavy crew in the cockpit (6 people) the water does come in for wet feet. But no additional noticebale water entry when heeled.
I think simple is best. olewill
Leighb
Well-Known Member
That is fine olewill until you want to have a party on board, I guess you just ask visitors to take their shoes and socks off?
