Seacock question on a 1981H33

[rgranger]

Hello All


There is a very well-maintained Hunter 33 that I am eyeballing and I got the surveyor’s report.


Honestly my main issue with “pulling the trigger” is finding a slip I can afford…. But putting that aside for now… I was looking through the photo’s on the surveyor’s report and his photo of the steering gear caught my attention…

The surveyor’s recommendations did not mention any issues here but the photo of the cockpit drain caught my attention. (I added the red lines and text) Shouldn’t there be a seacock on the cockpit drain tube?


OR!!! .... if I were to buy this boat… should I consider redirecting this to an above waterline through-hull and patch this hole?

 

[Davidasailor26]

Tricky spot. Adding a seacock would take so much space it might be hard to still connect the top of the seacock to the scupper drain. Running it out above the waterline would reduce the risk of that’s possible while still draining properly. Also technically the new outlet would need to be above not just the static waterline but the heeled waterline, though just going above the static waterline would be a step in the right direction.

If it were me I’d probably replace the hose and clamps and keep that on the maintenance schedule.

 

[jssailem]

The water line is the key.
Putting a sea cock on a scupper would mean an obstruction to quickly dumping water should a wave wash over the stern.
No. Generally no sea cocks on scuppers. You may, in an unusual back wash or wave hitting the stern, get wet feet in the cockpit but if the circumstance conspired to occur you would likely already be soaked.

I would put a second clamp on the upper end of the hose. Double clamp all hoses exposed to the sea.

No need to drill a new hole. I suspect it is close to or above the waterline. As you move through the water, your movement will create a vaculem and draw the water out of the hose. I’d take the boat out and go sailing, after adding the one extra clamp. I might also test the theory mentioned here by dipping a bucket in the sea and spilling it into the cockpit. If the drain is slow I’d run a plunger or snake through the drain. You may have accumulated junk in the hose line.

 

[Terry Cox]

Different model boat, but both our cockpit drains have through hull valves. Plenty of room on our boat compared to your prospect. Also, is that the quadrant next to it? That lower post mounting looks suspect to my untrained eye. Strangest thing I've ever seen if that is the rudder post.

 

[rgranger]

Also, is that the quadrant next to it? That lower post mounting looks suspect to my untrained eye. Strangest thing I've ever seen if that is the rudder post.

Thanks for thinking on this for me. I am not sure. The only lable on the photo was "Steering Mechanism". I might be looking it over two weekends from now and I will be making a punch list of things I want to see... I'll add your question to the list.

 

[rgranger]

Putting a sea cock on a scupper would mean an obstruction to quickly dumping water should a wave wash over the stern.

I was assuming it would always be left open but it would be there in the event that something bad happened to that hose.

 

[jssailem]

something bad happened to that hose.

It is a boat and bad things can always happen. Really not much can occur to the hose. It is not under pressure.

If you look at the out side of the hull, it appears to exit the hull at or above the water line. A physical inspection would confirm. I‘m estimating the hose is about on the red line. Unless physics has been altered water would need to flow up hill to get into the cockpit.

While being safe is better than being sorry, I feel a valve here would not be necessary.

Just my opinion. If concerned I would consult a marine engineer or make a call to SBO and ask the Hunter experts in the shop.

 

[dlochner]

Both of my cockpit drains have seacocks. One exits below the static water line and the other just above the static WL.

Those wires should be secured.

What's the deal with the gate valve in the back ground?

The hose is likely to be a real PITA to replace. A wire reinforced hose does not bend much. I wouldn't be surprised to learn the factory put the hose on before lowering the deck to the hull.

And that is one skinny rudder post.

 

[Terry Cox]

surveyor’s report.

I would contact the surveyor and ask for an assessment of the quadrant and rudder post mounting shown in the picture. Odd that the surveyor gave it a pass on the report. Maybe I'm missing something from the photo.

 

[rgranger]

And that is one skinny rudder post.

So you think that’s the rudder post?
I was wondering. And kind of hoping that that is just a post for the steering mechanism …and the cable and goes back to a second quadrant where there’s a more substantial better post.

!?!?!

 

[Davidasailor26]

So you think that’s the butter post?
I was wondering. And kind of hoping that that is just a post for the steering mechanism …and the cable and goes back to a second quadrant where there’s a more substantial better post.

!?!?!

Strangely sized rudder post is my guess too. Usually the cables come down from the pedestal, over pulleys just below the pedestal base, and back to the quadrant. I think one of the pulleys is just barely visible in the top left. The rudder posts I’ve seen have been much larger diameter than that, but I’m pretty sure they’ve also been hollow. This one appears to be a solid shaft. Maybe that gives it equivalent strength?

 

[Davidasailor26]

As long as we’re asking other questions about the picture - is that a (frowned upon) gate valve on an unused/capped thru hull on the far left?

 

[Trevor1mg]

I have a 1980 Hunter 33. The through-hull is well above the waterline, Dead center, aft of the rudder. Never had any issues with cockpit not draining, or water coming back up through it.