Cockpit Drain Grate Removal!

Mar 10, 2019
30
MacGregor 25 25 Aqualand Marina
I need to remove the metal grate over my cockpit drain. It’s trapping debris stopping up & water building up in my cockpit. It was attached with a glue. Does anyone know of any proven solvent that will dissolve the glue? Not sure which type glue was used.
 
Jan 7, 2011
4,723
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Probably need a little more info or photos. Make of boat, who installed the grate, how long ago, type of glue used, etc.

Photos also would be helpful.

Goof off and others sell a glue dissolver...not sure which one would work best for you without more info.

Here are a few I found...
https://www.target.com/p/pro-power-...f5l8neqLfR42SZJDkh23_narcxCo1-gxoC0hAQAvD_BwE

https://mccawcompany.com/attack-glu...PRrEUl3HNsRKwA_6TO5v7j_wa5RmxbmxoCuhEQAvD_BwE

https://www.lowes.com/pd/duck-5-45-...k0npMJy-swQNeCJlak22NhaM1T5fuOPRoCkYAQAvD_BwE



Greg
 
Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Have you tried a screwdriver to pry it up yet?
Or a razor blade or knife? Just go slow. All adhesives have a speed limit. Exceed the limit... do damage. Maybe try some heat to soften the adhesive. I remove parts glued with 5200 with a scraper and a heatgun. Just take my time, and it comes right up.

Also, check out basket sink strainers at lowes. Turn one upside down to cover your cockpit drain. It forms a raised, perforated crown over the drain, and... no more clogs! I did them on my C22 and my 272.
 
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Mar 10, 2019
30
MacGregor 25 25 Aqualand Marina
I removed the grate over my cockpit drain early this morning. I used a very small amount of acetone on the tip of a q-tip around the edges of the grate. The acetone dissolved the glue very quickly. The grate looked great but, was not functional. The grate was not factory or original to the Sailboat but, a very small amount of debris would stop it up completely.
Thank You for your replies!
 
Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Yes. Those flat grates are useless. The inverted sink strainer forms a perforated crown over the drain. When debris stops it, the water level rises to continue flowing over the debris. It takes a lot more to stop these up!
 
Mar 10, 2019
30
MacGregor 25 25 Aqualand Marina
agprice22
I like your suggestion. I really didn’t want to remove the grate but, I was forced to removed it. Before I removed it I had 4.5 to 5’ of rain water in the cockpit.
 
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