Cokpit drain holes

[Baloo_it]

Hello, my boat is an Invicta 26 MK1 (1967) the sister of the famous Contessa 26.
My intention is to do a singlehanded ocean crossing with it.
My concern is about the safety of the cockpit. Now there is one little drain in the back; not enough to drain out a wave.
My intention is to add a couple of drain holes (2,5-3 inch each) but i have problems to figure out the best solution; because the boat have two berth under the cockpit (left and right) and there is no much space (engine, tank, impeller on the back of the engine...).
The measurements says that i have around 10cm from the bottom of the cockpit to the waterline and 35cm from the bottom of the cockpit to the hull.
The biggest concern is about the water coming in the cockpit going upwind. The ideal solution is to cross the pipes but is'not so easy.

Have anybody faced similar situation and wich could be alternatives?

Thanks
RUGGERO

 

[Simes]

Can you take the drain out through the transome? As I remember the shape of the stern you will have a little Sl
Pace there. One Through the hull either side and you can cross the pipes.

Simes

 

[michael_w]

How about a large drain above the level of the cockpit sole out through the transom, a flapper valve should keep the worst of the back surge out.

In the event of a flooded cockpit, the big one will clear the worst of the water and your existing drains can cope with the remainder.

 

[prv]

I don't know what the back end of an Invicta is like, so can't help with the siting of drains.

However, if it really is difficult, you might consider reducing the size of the cockpit instead, especially since you're singlehanded and may not need the space. A temporary wooden structure filling in a third or a half of the footwell will reduce the amount of water that can come on board and need to be drained. You can build it with a lid (as long as it's reasonably well sealed) and gain some extra stowage.

A cannister liferaft can fill up some space as well, if you're going to be carrying one anyway. Perhaps the new locker filling the front end of the cockpit, and the liferaft secured at the aft end, raised up slightly on blocks so that water can still get down the drain underneath it.

Pete

 

[Baloo_it]

Reducing the volume of the cockpit is useful but i think it's not enough.
Actually the winning solution is to put a 3 inch exit in the back of the cockpit in the middle (above the existing one) . I can't go above the WL to the transom so i will exit directly to the bottom by the shortest way. The idea is to fiberglass all the thing.

If my math is right with this set up i don't suffer of the water return from sea to cockpit.
Am I right?


Thanks
RUGGERO