I don't have a Mac, but on one of my scupper drains, the hose leaves the fitting and runs about 20 degrees uphill for a few inches. Consequently there is always standing water in the cockpit drain, visible from above. I'm not sure that rerouting the hose would help. I'm considering replacing the fitting with something that has an angle greater than 90 degrees, so that flow is immediately downhill, and replacing the hose with flexible PVC. Is hose superior to PVC? I'm talking about a run of about 8 feet (times two scuppers).
Cockpit Drain - Update - Update
- Thread starter Greengas
- Start date
but while thinking about that fact, think about what product could be better to use than a radiator hose for the purpose? it is designed for a long life in a harsh enviroment and built to take a much higher pressure than it will ever see in that particular use.... is a much more expensive hose with a marine rating stamp on it going to save your life any better, faster or more thoroughly if you use it, rather than a radiator hose on the above-the-waterline cockpit drain?
in some applications, a marine rated hose is required by law.... and some manufactures meet or exceed the standards for a marine rating, but do not want to go thru the time trouble or expense in having their products certified and stamped, but this does not mean they are inferior, but only that they cannot be used where a certified product is required by law.
but in the case where its an above the waterline drain, the radiator or heater hose can be the perfect affordable choice.....
the thing is, with yearly inspections, the hose, no matter what the composition, its unlikely to be the cause of the water leakage, but a connection can come undone at any time... and especially if it was a poor install to begin with.
and the expense and trouble of installing a ball valve on the above-the-waterline-cockpit-drain thru hull fitting on a macgregor is overkill to the 5th degree... the thru hull is easily reached over the transom to insert a plug if it is ever needed.... and if you routinely have water backing up thru the scupper, you need to rethink, and jettison some of the load you have within the boat.
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Alright, I purchased a new radiator hose because that is what was put in back in 1983. Got it installed using double clamps at both ends all marine grade. Like the original, this one pinches a bit under the scupper but water still flows. So that is one problem solved. I am on the look out for a better hose, one that is more flexible so it won't pinch. But finding a good 1 1/2 inch diameter hose is, well, not high on my list right now. Thanks to everyone for the guidance and education.
other than someone telling you a part number, the best way to find the right hose for the job is go to the napa dealer and tell him that you need a hose with just the right bend in it for an odd application.... then ask him if you can go back and study the pre-shaped radiator hoses, in hopes that you find the one of the correct size, with the correct bends in it.....
they have hundreds to look at and im sure you will be able to find something that works well for you, but you may have to cut one end or the other off, or just use the middle section of the hose to get the right length with the bends in the right places...
I have to do this often the get the proper hose I need for the odd stuff I work on.
Actually, NAPA is exactly where I went and I gave them the previous hose and they found the exact match! That is, the exact match for the original hose. But you are right, I should have asked for one with the specific bends in them. Oh well, that is why I call this a continuing education.
Actually, that is exactly where I went and almost exactly what I did. I gave the good folks at NAPA the old hose and they matched it. I should have asked them to match the bends that were in it. They just gave me the matching straight hose. Oh well, that is why I call this a continuing education.
My through-hull is always under water when I have more than 3 people in the cockpit. When I realized that the only reason I don't sink is that old rubber hose, I immediately made a dowel of a diameter slightly smaller than the opening, wrapped it in a ducktape, and placed it in a convenient place just in case that hose decides to let go....