This is my first post. I hope to get first hand knowledge from other owners of boats like mine. I apologize in advance for rookie posting mistakes. I'll learn.
I have a 1996 Catalina 36 mkii tall rig wing keel with a keel stepped Zspar furling mainsail. I am slipped in Southwest Michigan. I keep my boat in a cradle, shrink wrapped, on the hard during winter. Every year I get almost 25 gallons of rain water down the mast into my bilge. This creates the obvious moisture problems (ice, condensate, mold). Question: Has anyone installed a garboard drain in their bilge? What type? Where did yo locate it? Has it been a success? I am thinking of installing one with hopes it will allow rain water to drain out of my bilge and not accumulate over the winter. I have seen different types a) a t-handle brass plug which installs inside the bilge and b) a 1/2 in brass square threaded plug which installs on the outside of the hull. That one attaches the flange to the hull with 3 screws. I suspect the core needs to be sealed with an epoxy after drilling a hole through the hull to the bilge. I guess a proper sandwich type thruhull with inside and outside flanges aren't used here. I'm guessing the tricky part is finding the best location to get the most water out. thinking would have to be the lowest place in the bilge yet exit above the keel. I am thinking the bilge compartment in the salon, lowest point, (thats where my bilge pump is) or the section just forward
I have a 1996 Catalina 36 mkii tall rig wing keel with a keel stepped Zspar furling mainsail. I am slipped in Southwest Michigan. I keep my boat in a cradle, shrink wrapped, on the hard during winter. Every year I get almost 25 gallons of rain water down the mast into my bilge. This creates the obvious moisture problems (ice, condensate, mold). Question: Has anyone installed a garboard drain in their bilge? What type? Where did yo locate it? Has it been a success? I am thinking of installing one with hopes it will allow rain water to drain out of my bilge and not accumulate over the winter. I have seen different types a) a t-handle brass plug which installs inside the bilge and b) a 1/2 in brass square threaded plug which installs on the outside of the hull. That one attaches the flange to the hull with 3 screws. I suspect the core needs to be sealed with an epoxy after drilling a hole through the hull to the bilge. I guess a proper sandwich type thruhull with inside and outside flanges aren't used here. I'm guessing the tricky part is finding the best location to get the most water out. thinking would have to be the lowest place in the bilge yet exit above the keel. I am thinking the bilge compartment in the salon, lowest point, (thats where my bilge pump is) or the section just forward
