Self-draining cockpit (reviving old topic)

[Amulet]

Any conclusion on this:
"My question for the panel is this: What would people see as the pros and cons of two 38mm diagonal drains exiting through the hull planking on either side, viz-a-viz a single 51 mm drain going out through the transom?"

Amulet is like a Folkboat on steroids (or with a beer belly when she's out of favour). I have a self-drainer with crossed 38 mm drains. The cockpit is only a couple of inches above waterline with two people in it. The forward corners flare out following the shape of the boat. Heavily heeled there's always a serious puddle in the corner. If there's a gaggle of people in the cockpit it backs up (have a teak grating giving a couple of inches grace). It's pretty damned slow to drain if a whole wave lands in it!

I'd wondered about the transom option, but it seems to me you'd have to have a narrow, parallel-sided cockpit.

In seriously lumpy weather I find myself wishing the cockpit was smaller not bigger. (Amulet, out of keeping with tradition, has substantial fence of staunchions and rails to stop me falling overboard.)

 

[Tranona]

Seems you have answered your own question. If the cockpit sole is only a couple of inches above the (static?) waterline, whatever system you use will never stop water backing up. The only solution is to raise the cockpit sole!

 

[Peterduck]

In my opinion, 38mm is rather small for a cockpit drain; I'd have nothing less than 50mm. That's the size of a bathplug. Speed of draining is important here, so that the water from one wave has gone before the next one can land in the cockpit.
Peter.

 

[Seagreen]

My winter refit was dealing with just this problem.

I actually didn't have a self draining cockpit as the sole was below the waterline. I revamped it with self draining sealed floor by raising the sole to about 5" below the seat tops. I get self drainage but I now squat in the cockpit rather than sit. All to the good as I think large cockpits on boats with low freeboard aft are asking for grief in big seas.

 

[Peterduck]

I thought it very interesting when I visited Lin & Larry Pardey's "Taleisin" that there was no cockpit footwell at all, and this is an global ocean-going yacht, not just a Channel-dodger. The cockpit coamings, such as they are, are very wide and function as benches. Need less to say, the volume inside below the "Cockpit" is enormous.
Peter.