Another hole in the hull

Nasher · 28 May 2006, 18:51

Hi all.

I'm considering drilling a hole in the hull!!!

I have an anchor locker in the bow of my Ocean covered with a hatch.
The locker does not have a drain because the only place it could drain into is the sealed void under the deck.

Obviously after using the hook the water drains off the warp etc and forms a puddle in the bottom, I then have to remove the whole lot from the locker to wash it off, and sponge out the locker with fresh water.

A friend with a hard boat has a similar locker, but with a drain drilled through the hull and covered with a natty stainless splash guard.
After using his anchor he just runs a hose into the locker to wash the salt out of everything, and lets it drain out. Then of course washes in all out properly and lays it out to dry every other month to check the warp.

The 'hole' would be well above sea level when at rest and any water splashing in ploughing through a wave would soon drain out again.
Even if it did fill right up its only small anyway.

Does anybody use a drain like this from their locker, and had any issues with it?

Ta!

Nasher.

Nauti Buoy · 28 May 2006, 19:00

Hi Nasher

I have exactly the same set up on my hard boat, until I sold it today

. Never had any problems with it, never saw any water in the locker that I had not put in there, ie from the anchor.

I also have a couple of spare chrome covers if you would like them.

Richard

ADS · 28 May 2006, 19:01

Nasher, it common on larger boats to have a drain from the anchor locker, on my parents sailing cruiser you can see it in the attatched picture. One of these stainless covers like we have would probably stop alot of water from getting in whilst underway (unless you massively stuffed it), yet water would be able to get out fine.

Nasher · 28 May 2006, 19:05

Richard

Thanks for the offer, but I picked one up at a boat jumble recently in preperation.

Think I'll go with it, as I can't see a down side.

Will obviously need to seal around the cut fibreglass with some resin though.

Nasher.

Ezgoing · 28 May 2006, 19:43

Nasher

I too have a drainhole in my anchor locher. Difference is I have it on the inside of the boat with a Plastimo screw in bung in it. In really bad weather I can fill the locker with water as ballast to keep her nose down. When I need to I can let it drain out onto the deck.

Best of luck.

Nasher · 28 May 2006, 20:33

Easy

If Only I could drain it back onto the deck, but the bottom of the locker is about 6 inches below the deck level, and the void behind it under the deck is sealed under normal circumstances.

The other thing I could do is put a drain plug in the side of the hull instead of an open hole.
That way its sealed until I open it up for washing out.

That might be a better solution.

Nasher.

Ezgoing · 28 May 2006, 20:41

Nasher have you considered a false floor in the locker to bring the internal floor height up above deck level?

Having fitted the floor into the locker you could fill the void with expanding foam to give it extra strength.

best of luck.

Nasher · 28 May 2006, 20:50

Easy

Unfortunatly that would not give me enough height to get the anchor etc in.

Just looked at my last post, the bottom of the locker is actually about a foot below the deck and there is only a small step up from the deck to the top of it.

Whatever I do I'll end up glassing in a small false floor as at the moment it comes right down to a point at the bottom so to completly drain it I'd Have to drill the hole out through the Keel/Bow. By glassing in a small flat surface I can at least have the hole a 2 or 3 inches back down one side.

Nasher.

Matt · 28 May 2006, 22:30

You are playing with fire mentioning 'ole drillin.

Nasher · 28 May 2006, 22:55

God your right

Can I point out that I know how to drill a hole.

What tool to use to do it.

How to finish off the edges.

And what to put in it afterwards

Nasher.

Dirk Diggler · 29 May 2006, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

God your right

Can I point out that I know how to drill a hole.

What tool to use to do it.

How to finish off the edges.

And what to put in it afterwards

Nasher.

You sure about that? Resin isn't water proof, you need to seal the edges of the hole with gel.

Jono · 29 May 2006, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

You sure about that? Resin isn't water proof, you need to seal the edges of the hole with gel.

You sure about that?... I'd go with flo-coat myself.....

Dirk Diggler · 29 May 2006, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

You sure about that?... I'd go with flo-coat myself.....

oi slaphead, what do you think flo-coat is then!

Jono · 29 May 2006, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

oi slaphead, what do you think flo-coat is then!

Gel.... plus.. Wax..... same way Oxygen just ain't water without the Hydrogen.... Hamster Chops.....

Matt · 29 May 2006, 22:07

Actually it isn't the same way. H+02 would make a good bomb.

Jono · 30 May 2006, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

Actually it isn't the same way. H+02 would make a good bomb.

Wind ya neck in Streako'... or I'll send the Gavster round to flo-coat ya caravan....