Intro and Hunter question

[MillingManDan]

Hi all. Just a quick hello, I'm new to the forum. I've read a lot of posts previously during my search for my first sailing boat to learn on and yesterday I picked her up from Grimsby (on the back of positive comments for this boat and the designer): A Hunter 490.

Towed it back last night and now I'm on with a moor detailed assessment. One thing I thought strange that I'm hoping someone may be able to shed light on. Why is the cockpit drainage hole about a foot higher than the floor? Will this not mean it fills like a bath before water starts to drain? I'll be needing a bucket?

*Excuse the terrible pun

 

[RichardS]

Last photo here http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2011/11/hunter-490.html shows one will a cockpit full of water.

It looks like it's a "design feature". :ambivalence:

Richard

 

[Halo]

If the cockpit floor is below sea level then I expect it is designed so that the cockpit does not fill up with sea water but overflows into the drain when rain water rises to the drain level. Seems pretty rubbish idea to me.

 

[lw395]

Many fine boats have had cockpit soles below sea level.
These days, it's not hard to fit a pump and get over it.
A cockpit cover to keep the worst of the rain out when you're not using the boat might be a good call.
I'd look into an electric pump and float switch, plus a manual pump.

Is this boat a lot like a squib with a small cabin? Not a bad pedigree IMHO.