cockpit drain on tempest

[upei1]

Hello everyone, I am new to sailing, and to this site. I tried to do a search on my topic, but to no avail. Ok, In the forward section of the cockpit of my tempest (year =1965) there is a hole that appears to be the cockpit drain. In the cabin is a small hatch that lets one access that area under the cockpit. The drain in the cockpit is attached to a hose, which is attached to a valve, which threads into what appears to be a solid block of plastic or fiberglass. This block is about 1 inch thick and three inches square. There appears to be no holes in this block (to allow drainage into the bilge area...), nor is there a hole or valve or through hull fitting underneath this. Can anyone one tell me how this works?
I am sorry that I don't have a photo, but i will try and render a drawing and post it. Any Tempest owners that can help me??

Thanks a million,
Charlie
P.S. Did I mention that I am a new owner? I will try and search the posts first, but I am sure to have some questions that will raise a few groans. Its Ok, I can take it. Just point me in the right direction when you are done laughing at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[doublezero]

Same setup it sounds. there is a thru-hull just above the keel, starbord side. If shes on dry dump some water into the cabin drain, you shoud see it come out with no issue. If nothing comes out make sure the valve is open, otherwise you may have a blockage.

 

[upei1]

Double zero! Thanks for the info. Yes, she is on dry and guess what, I knocked some dirt and a few barnacles off the starboard hull and what do I find??? You hit the nail right on the head. There was the thru hull fitting. The bottom has been painted over a few times and so was the fitting. I have sealed up for the winter with tarps and stuff at the marina. If i can swing by there on a warm day i will test the fitting to see if it is working.

Ok, now that i have found the fitting, may i ask another novice, newbie question. This is a one way valve yes? I mean when I am sailing on the waters,
do I have have the valve open or closed? I hope I don't sound like a COMPLETE idiot. It just seems weird to me that surface water from the cockpit would have the pressure (or whatever) to exit through the hull with the weight of the water around the boat..... In any case, Thank you again do much. If the darn fitting was a snake it would have bit me (smile)
Charlie

 

[doublezero]

lol... well much to the entertainment to the real sailors on this site, I am just as novice as you. Just purchased the boat in may, and have yet to sail a day in my life. just so hapens we purchased the same boat. If my research is correct the valve is not a one way valve, but the boats waterline is higher then the cabin drain. Water simply cannot go higher then the laws of physics will allow.

I hope that i am correct in this statement, as I will be leaving the valve open when I put the girl in her slip in the spring.. here is to hopeing she doesnt sink.

 

[upei1]

Hi, Doublezero. Ha! I've just purchased mine also. I noticed a heck of a lot of flotation blocks all around the boat! So I think you are right when you said that part about the drain being higher than the water line. I hadn't even thought about that. Of course! It is the one of the first, basic laws of physics: water will seek it's own level. The other being water and electricity will both seek the path of least resistance. This I know from personal experience! I did some basic sailing this summer and I am totally hooked. I hope you have the same grin on your face this spring when you put her in the water.

I didn't tell you that we are going to christen our boat the "double take". So it is fortuitous that we have met! What year is your tempest? Can you tell me what kind of paint was used on your deck and your hull? She looks great from the photos I saw in your other post.
Regards,
Charlie

 

[jfrancis100]

RE: cockpit drain on tempest

The O'Day Tempest was designed with a Self-bailing cockpit, all you need to do is make sure the drain is free of debris, works great.

I have a 69 Tempest,love it! Great boat.

Good luck with yours

Cheers,
Joe