79 H30 Starboard Cabin Locker Drain

[tomgrigsby]

The speed log is in the aft end of my starboard locker, and I ship about a gallon of water every time I pull it for cleaning. No drains in my locker, so I just sop up the water with a sponge and bucket. It's a little slow, but I don't keep a wet/dry vac on the boat. It looks like the bottom of the locker is below the adjacent floor boards, but I'm not sure. I am wondering if I can drill a small hole at the inboard curve for drainage. I'm interested in your thoughts and recommendations. Does yours drain to the bilge?

 

[Dalliance]

Tom,
We've stumbled across significant differences in the past between my '82 and earlier model years, so keeping that in mind......
I assume you are talking about the starboard locker under the sitee in the saloon. Mine contains the fiberglass water tank, tabbed into the hull, but I know the tank was on the port side in earlier models, and my owner's manual even shows it that way. Anyway, since the water tank is there, my starboard locker has holes drilled in the upward curve at the aft end, near the inboard face of the locker, for the water hose running aft from the tank and for hot and cold water hoses running forward to the lavatory sink, effectively draining the locker into the bilge, though I think not at quite the lowest point.
Even if Hunter made no change to the fiberglass liner configuration between model years, not being at the boat, I don't know how much clearance there is for holes on the inboard side, but I know it's tight. Drilling a hole at the aft end of the locker might be a safer bet if there is doubt about the locker being lower than the cabin sole, but you may still need the sponge for the last bit of water.
I'm not sure this helps. Hopefully, someone with a '79 can respond with more confidence.

 

[tomgrigsby]

Appreciate the response. My water tank is in the port locker and I'm glad you mentioned the lines. I'll look over there and see how things are. Sounds like putting a small drain will be fine. Nothing needs to be fine right now, and hopefully someone with a79 may chime in. Where is your speed log?

 

[Dalliance]

My speed log is on the port side, just aft of the compression post, under the sitee. Which in the '82 is L-shaped, so it's real close to the centerline of the boat. No fold down table like earlier models.
Here is another idea: My bilge sump is enclosed with fiberglass from keel foot to cabin sole along the sides but it's open at the fore and aft ends. I think yours is similar. Can you get a mirror & flashlight or just a cell phone camera with flash in there at either end to get a look from the bilge side at the area where you want to drill the drain hole?