Cockpit Drain Holes

[beames]

Hello,
Does anyone else have a problem with water coming up through the cockpit drains while underway, especially if there is more than one person on the boat? Does Com-Pac sell plugs or something to eliminate this problem? Sometimes the water feels good on a hot day if you don't mind wet lines.

Thanks,
Brooke   

[Keith Laser]

Brooke,

I had the same problem and solved it by buying rubber plugs at Loews that fit the cockpit holes.  Work like a champ.

Keith

Maggie Mae 16'

[Rick Klages]

You need more chain in the chain locker!  Look to weight distribution, move it forward!  I wouldn't sail all plugged up.  If you take a wave over the rail you will get pooped!  And the water will not drain.  you might sink!


ick

[multimedia_smith]

There has been MUCH discussion on the topic of plugging the scuppers.  It's sort of a personal choice and a sensitive issue.  Some folks swear by keeping them open... some folks try to replace the "flaps" that are supposed to close when water pushes on the outside of the transom.  My chlice is to plug them from the inside with a set of rubber stoppers with stainless "t" bar cranks that make them expand tightly into the scuppers.  I do have a line between the two plugs for quick removal. 

I have on several occasions taken water over the rail and it presented no problem to remove the plug quickly to let the water out.  For the average sail, especially with guests, I prefer not to have water sloshing around people's feet.  Some folks make a cockpit grating to allow the water to flow in and out and still keep the feet relatively dry. 

As far as weight distribution, I keep my battery, anchor, flashlights and anything else I can up in the forcastle... when I do get spray into the floor... it usually flows to the front of the cockpit well.  I have to sit all the way back to try to get it to the stern... I keep a sponge handy to get the smaller bits of water collection.
That's my two cents and I'm stickin' to it.

Dale

[Rick Klages]

Strange, I get almost no water in through the scuppers!  Even when standing in the stern!  And I'm a big person!

ick

[idouglas]

I replaced my scuppers (about $15 from Hutchins) and all is well, except when I'm motoring and have four in the cockpit.

idouglas

[mgoller]

Something strange is going on.  I never got any water in through the scuppers, even with me at 220 Lbs and three passengers.  The rubber flaps at the back aren't really seals, they are more to keep splashing stern waves out.

Does this only happen when heeling?  I drew a line from the rail down to the transom as if heeled over.  The scupper is under water, but I would think the cockpit floor would still be at or above the water line.  The drains go down and out.

Another thing I was thinking is.  Make sure you don't leave plugs in when moored for a time.  With five inches or so of rain you'll get about ten inches of standing water in the cockpit which might be enough to put the scuppers under water.  That could be a problem.  Many 16 owners have leaks at the drain fittings due to old sealant.  So if the scuppers are under water and drain plugs are in the hull will start to fill with water in minutes and down she goes!

I agree with Rick, that perhaps the balance of the boat should be shifted forward.
This is really interesting though. 

Or perhaps the boat is sailing bow up and the stern is down.
I'll look at my sixteen to see how far the scuppers sit above the waterline.

[B.Hart]

On my 16 I plug the scuppers or you will have wet feet! when under sail they drain but  they have no outside covers. I also plug them from the inside so you can drain out the spilled beer. lol  BILL

[doug]

I know that with two adults, generally our feet are dry, however when the wind is up there is a good chance of taking in water on the down side of the boat. Any time we have been out with 3 adults we have taken in water unless I plug. In warm weather we get wet feet, cold weather its time to plug. My largest concern with plugging is forgetting to remove em when finished as our boat is in an unattended slip except for weekends and it could take on a lot of water if they are left in.

[saillover]

Is it possible that the keel is waterlogged? How does the water line look?

[Paul]

That's just what I was thinking, too.  Even if she is sitting on her lines, looking pretty, just a little lower in the water.  As you can see in Marcus' photo, there's not that much room for error.  I'd imagine the 19's scuppers measure a bit higher off the water.

Also, consider how springy the scupper rubber is.

Party foul on Bill!!    LOL

[beames]

Thanks for all the input. At least I know I'm not the only one with this problem. Maybe it has something to do with the year made? Mine is an 82 model that was restored in 2002'. The keel was checked for water at that time and no problems found so i don't think thats the case. I have a 5 hp Nissan on the boat but don't see how the extra 10 lbs could make that much difference. The cockpit drains fine it just takes on a little water with speed. More chain in the locker and plugs may be the answer.

Thanks,
Brooke

[moc4]

I just bought a 1981 CP 16 and went out sailing for the first time yesterday.  Noticed water coming in the drain holes.  When digging in the stern locker, saw some rubber plugs with a small line connecting them.   Put them in the drain holes and it kept water out, until our feet kept kicking the line and pulling them out.  After reading about weight distribution, I might check that also.  We had 375 lbs of people in the cockpit.  Even with just my husband, watching him bring the boat around to the dock, I noticed the stern riding low and the bow high.  Being our first time on the boat, I assumed that's how they ride.   

Had a good sail, other than newbie issues.  After putting the wrong halyard on the wrong sail and causing the jib halyard to bind when trying to use it to raise the main (yes it happened), we learned we could lower the mast on the water.  

Jenna

[Mas]

It just is he nature of the beast. We have an 87' and if just myself it is never an issue unless under motor (4hp, 2 stroke) and throttle too much. The stern wave then moves aft to the scuppers. If just the two of us it sometimes might if we find ourselves both at the stern, though mostly we sail on the same side. We do keep little weight back there and have most weight including the battery for the electric fully up near the bow. You could always make or get a cockpit grate to keep the feet drier but that also traps dirt.

Heck on our original 16 (we have had two). We did clog the drains on purpose once and used a bucket to fill the cockpit well up a bit for a soak facing each other with wine! Done in a very shallow, sandy calm anchorage! I know, the folly of youth. That was at least 30 years ago. I also know a fellow who is on this forum sometimes so i won't call him out that did the very same thing with a 19!

Just as a note, if we are motoring at near full throttle on our Pacific Seacraft 31, water will begin to find it's way back up to the scuppers for the same reason as the 16, though on the 31 it never fully runs out onto cockpit floors as those same cockpits have an perimeter drain channel so it never gets to foot level. Pacific Seacraft boats are meant to handle the worst that blue water sailing can give you, so a little water coming back up should not be a concern. It is wise though to check the plastic fittings on the Compacs. They are quite different from the solid bronze seacock fitted scuppers on our 31, plus it takes much more to place a 6 ton boat out of trim than a one half ton vessel, thus the weight of crew will make more of a difference on the 16.

Hope this helps. I personally wouldn't worry.

OBTW....welcome and congrats on a great little boat. don't worry about goof ups, they still happen even after years. When raising the mast and rigging for the first time that season a couple years ago sat back in the cockpit with beer in hand and noticed my little wind vane still sitting on a cushion in the cabin. Finished the beer then dropped the mast. This year i was to find the main halyard shackle all the way at the top of the mast and I was supposed to be showing a new 16 owner how to do it!  Oops!

[weitzeljam]

I'm the new owner of a '78. I'm interested if anyone knows the correct fore and aft trim. Mine comes with a 24v trolling motor and 2 batteries stuffed in the lazarette. I have placed a 50 lb. bag of sand up in the forepeak. Another 16 at my marina sits pretty with the very bottom of the transom just kissing the water. That looks right to me but even with extra weight up front my transom is submerged by a couple of inches. Any idea of what Hutchins and the designer  were going for?
I'm definitely going to move the batteries forward but am wondering what to do right now.