reconfiguring aft cockpit drains

[admirals barge]

74 eric 35 II
has anybody reconfigured the rear cockpit drains so they don't go all the way forward to tee into the forward cockpit drains? am thinking about adding a thru hull and teeing the aft cockpit drains and eliminating the run to the front drains. this would convert the 3 inputs to the strbd forward drain to 2 inputs.

happy boating
greg

[chrism]

I haven't done it, but remember... The less through hulls, the better :D

[admirals barge]

chris

that is a true statement. presently there are 8 thru hulls in the boat. 6 are under water and 2 are below the trnasom. the aft cockpit drains run about 9 feet to the thru hulls on each side. it would be nice to eliminate those 2 9 foot runs of 1 1/4 in heavy duty hose. the forward cockpit drains tee with the aft drains at the thru hull. the strbd side has 3 inputs to the thru hull. would like to make that 2 inputs. less cluter on the hull and at the thru hulls. that's why i was wondering if anybody has reconfigured the drains.


thanks
greg

74 e35 II

[Seth]

Well, it adds 2 new holes, but I would enlarge the cockpit scupper, enlarge the hose diameter to match, and then make the shortest run to a point you can identify as lower than the cockpit floor. Especially if these are aft, you will have a much safer, faster draining 'pit (there will be some suction created by the boat speed as well-which will speed things up-if you are moving).

This ability to drain fast is MUCH more important than keeping through-hulls to a minimum-not even an argument, really. If you sail offshore much you should take a hard look at this.
Safe travels,
S

[Masallah 04]

Seth:
Good advice, and a concern I have as well. Let me know what you end up doing. I will be taking my boat offshore often, and high on my list of reconfigurations is how the cockpit sheds water.
thanks
Alan

[Seth]

No problem Alan, but I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say to "let you know what I end up doing"-I'm just an ex-Ericson factory guy who is here to offer what little help I can to the Ericson owners-I don't own a boat (but luckily I have access to a few), but I am fairly familiar with many details of most E-models. Let me know if I can help further!

Fair winds,
S

[gareth harris]

Does anyone know a source for 2" cockpit drains? I am in the process of rebuilding the system, based on Seth's advice, and they are the only missing pieces.

As far as the aft drains goes, I think they can be drained above the water line close to the stern, where an extra through hull would only see wave action, but I have not drilled the holes yet.

Greg - another recommendation I have been given, is to cross the drain hoses i.e. port scupper to starboard through hull and vice versa, the idea being that in the event of a knock down, and the cockpit scupper being below the waterline, it will not be filled from the through hull below the water line.

Gareth
Freyja E35 #242 1972

[Seth]

The location you describe is ideal, and crossing them is also common practice.
I would think West Marine or similar would have the 2" hardware.
S

[chaco]

Greg

I would not recommend Teeing the (2) aft drains.
They are designed so that when the boat is heeled one drain acts as a vent
for the leeward drain under water. Without the vent draining is slowed.
As for going out the stern above waterline.....I don't think there is enough fall
for efficient drainage. I have always been conscerned about the under water
thruhull drainage of the cockpit cause I have to leave the valves open when
unattended.....alas I replaced all the old rubber hoses with HD Waste Hose
and rebedded the drains. No leaks....no worries !

Good Luck

Dan
S/V Merlin
74 35II
Oceanside, CA :egrin:

[gareth harris]

An update:

Perko make a 2" flush bronze through hull, which makes a suitable drain in the deck as well as through hull. To drain the aft pit, the new through hulls will have to be close to the edge of the rudder arc, and crossing them will be essential as it looks like the drain goes below the water line at about 25 deg of heel. I am waiting for the through hulls, and to remeasure and recheck my sanity, before drilling.

I do not think it realistic to drain the forward deck there, as there is not enough vertical drop for the distance of hose to get fast drainage.

Since the pit is open to the atmosphere, I can not see where a vent comes into play?

Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972