Cockpit drain hose

[Norton]

I read in some previous posts that a possible source of bilge water is the cockpit drain hose (connecting the cockpit to the transom fitting). I vacuumed my bilge dry the other day and later after motoring and sailing a short while there was water in the bilge. Motoring, somtimes I get water in the cockpit from the cockpit drain. This seems like the likely source of at least part of my bilge water problem. I was wondering if anyone has replaced this hose and can tell me the diameter and type of hose to use. Any other hints that would help me make this a one time crawling in the bilge job?

 

[Tim]

Check the through hull

Oh the joys of climbing into the lazarette!!In the 23 when under power, you will notice that the through hull goes beneath the water (at least mine does.) When sailing it's above the water line. I would suspect the bedding of the through hull first. On my 23 the short piece of hose is quite substantial; looks like heavy duty radiator hose. However the bedding of the fitting is poor. ODay did not build-up a pad for it. I would go below with not only a hose but some bedding compound also. (And a large wrench or arc joint pliers (Channel-Locks).)I'm sorry I don't know the size. If you asked two weeks ago, I would have measured mine during my yearly trip into the lazarette. Rudy at D&R Marine will be able to tell you.

 

[AD]

Am replacing my....

...thru-hull fitting for the cockpit drain as well. I'm pretty sure that the i.d. of the barbed fitting for the thru-hulls is 1". Since you're removing the hose, best thing to do is take out and replace the transom drain with a new Marelon fitting. My old one (original) broke apart when I was working on pushing it out. I could tell beforehand that it had already cracked some and was a source of some water leaking into the bilge. Moreover, if the bedding around the fitting, or the fitting itself, is spent, there is some coring that the fitting goes through, and this will be wet and in needd of attention. It doesn't take long, and you don't want it failing, especially when you aren't around....