Scupper leaks at the cockpit drains

[bbradbury]

Dale,
Great job.  If necessary can you still pull the foam block?  I do not have a porta-potti yet.  I'll probably have to get one if I start staying out longer or take the boat out to the bay.  I'm not sure if my skill level will allow saltwater yet, but heck we can hope!
Repeat question:  Does your rear bilge stringer have a drain hole at the base?  MIne does and I've considered plugging it .
Bruce

[Paul]

Bruce, are you referring to the hole in the stringer (cross member) at the aft end of the cabin?  If yes, then no.   Actually, the earlier models had them.  I saw that feature on two boats I was prospecting prior to purchasing this one.  I found it a little disconcerting to see gravel migrating out of the hole.  Like I said, didn't buy that one.  However,  I am not sure I would seal this hole up.  Once water has moved through it, there's really no telling how much you might trap in the nether regions of the boat.  I'd let it breath.  If it ain't broke........

[bbradbury]

Paul,
Actualy the hole is part of the rear bilge under the stringer.  Thankfully I have not detected any gravel there??  As for older boats mine is a 95 16/2 Hull #2845...not so old.  If I don't seal it I'll probably paint it.

Bruce

[idouglas]

Hi Bruce:

My CP XL/III is #2834, built in 1994 and the original owner purchased it in April 1994.  I'm surprised that Hutchins made only ten boats between yours and mine in the last eight or nine months of 1994.  Perhaps manufacturing was slower towards the end of the model run.

idouglas

[bbradbury]

idouglas,

My Hull ID# ABV02845F595 translates to Hutchins Co., ID# 02845, Date of Manufacture: June 5 1995.  I guess they didn't build that many after your boat.
Have you checked to see if you have a bilge channel under your rear stringer?  According to a recent post only the "old boats" had it.  I'm confused.....some have it, and some do not?
Bruce

[idouglas]

Bruce:

My boat is under wraps on Martha's Vineyard so I'm afraid I cannot answer your question at this time.  I'll be sure to take a look as soon as I get back to her in a month or so.

My memory is that there is a bilge channel but I cannot say for sure.

idouglas 

[multimedia_smith]

Hi,
Question one about the foam block... No, I wouldn't consider pulling it out entirely.  It offers support to the cockpit as well as floatation.  I only cut a couple of inches off the end to help the portapotti to clear the companionway.

Question two... the rear bulkhead on my boat does not have a drain hole in it... and boy, am I glad!  I certainly don't want ANY water going into the bilge.  That's the reason I decided to make a "bulkhead" at the rear of the cabin floor... to prevent any spills or water entering the cabin from flowing back into the bilge.  I've heard stories of guys drilling holes in the base of their keel and waiting for months for the water to drain out and dry... it can degrade the integrity of the ballast... cause blistering... be a home for mold... or who knows what.

Before I fixed the leaks... I would check the area between the stern and the bulkhead to find a small "puddle" back there... I would mop it up and run a fan in the boat to dry it out.   I know that a bone dry boat is the "impossible dream" but you don't want any water back there... and moreover you certainly don't want water going anywhere that you can't see it.

My boat is an '88 16III also... perhaps a PO put that "drain hole" there... I don't think it's stock.

Best regards
Dale

[bbradbury]

Dale,
I've read those posts on drilling the keel also.  I certainly don't want any part of that.  I asked the question about the hole in the stringer because I to was concerned about water leaks running into the fwd bilge.  When I purchased the boat in 2005 the PO said he never had any leaks but after sailing a couple of days I found that I had a wet carpet.  After pulling the foam core out and thoroughly inspecting (and drying) the bilge I found that the water entering the bilge was from a rear scupper leak.  I pulled the boat and re-caulked both the scuppers and this seemed to correct the problem.  I considered filling the stringer hole at that time but was convinced that I had corrected any possible further leaks so I let it go.  But again this past year I had that aggravating slight leak.  Based on my previous scupper leak I now always leave a small hand towel in the rear so that I never have any water accumulation going into the forward bilge.  Out of habit now ( and I'm sure you do) I always check the rear bilge for dampness before and after sailing.  When I glass the scupper tubes I will probably glass that stringer hole also.
Bruce

[Paul]

Bruce and Dale,

The boat I saw that had the worrisome hole in the bilge was consistently tilted back......way back.  Like, he placed a old foam dock flotation under the stern and tilted the trailer all the way back to rest on the foam.  Thus placing the trailer tongue out of my reach.  This drained the keel/bilge as necessary with no obvious ill effect on the boat, other than the "gravel" escaping the hole.  IMHO, if the water goes in the hole, it must also come out.  So, without being there and seeing this hole, whether it's original or not, it is difficult to give a great recommendation.  What's the worst that can happen?

Regarding drilling holes in the keel, that was me, I confess.  My experience with my boat (see the photo gallery) combined with my obsessive nature lead me to take that action.  It was bone dry, fortunately.  I have some good experience working with epoxy, so patching the hole was successful.  I am certainly able to sleep easy at night

For those reading this, if you don't feel confident in your skills with epoxy or any other deconstruction/reconstruction of your boat, then by all means, don't attempt such a feat until you are ready and reasonably confident.

Hope this helps,

Paul