Icebox Leak

[Tim Norris]

I have a 1984 26 O'day. The problem I'm having, (don't know if it is with the 25's and 26's), but the icebox drains melted ice in the compartment beneath the sole, I was wondering if this a common thing, or if someone rerouted the drain to there instead of out with the gray water in the sink. They are right next to each other, kind of stumped, and I have to be honest, I haven't investigated that much. If it is a design problem, I was wondering what other people have done to correct it. Thanks, and input is appreciated.

 

[Bob]

Gray Water Mixer

Hi Tim,My 27 icebox outlet is below the water so the drain runs to the keel sump. Sink gray water will flow to the icebox if both use the same line unless you use a check or shutoff valve. Added valves = problems. Murphy's law predicts that the nice clean ice water will never run to the sink and odors from the gray water will not improve the favor of your meals.Have fun,Bob

 

[Tim]

Thanks BobI appreciate you getting back to me. So you have the same problem I do, I was wondering how to get away with cleaning out the keel sump every weekend. It doesn't run out eithe, I see the holes where it should run out, but it must be clogged or something, the gray water from the sink goes out a different line outside of the boat, near the water line. Probably not legal, but that's where it goes. So you don't think I should connect the two lines so they both run out?

 

[Ben Allen]

Different Way To Skin A Cat

Hi Tim,I know exactly what you are talking about, I sail a 1985 O'Day 26, and the icebox drained into the bilge. I never liked the idea of ex-icebox water running around in the lower part of my boat, waiting to either evaporate or to be pumped out. What worked for me was to just tape over the drain hole in the icebox. As far as keeping it cold, I will freeze 2 or 3 gallon jugs (liters in Canada) of water before heading out for the weekend. This will keep the box very cool for up to 4 days, as the ice melts, you also have cold drinking water. At the end of the weekend, just a quick wipe down on the inside of the icebox is all that is needed.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26

 

[Jim Cook]

My O'Day 27 has the same problem

Since my bilge is only about 3" deep, I tend to get dirty water all over the sole when we heel over.I think I'll go with the ice jug solution.Jim Cook

 

[Brad Jones]

Icebox drain

My icebox drain is connected to a manual bilge pump mounted in the cockpit lazerette. With a simple pipe tee and two ball valves the bilge either pumps the icebox dry or drains the bilge.

 

[Mike]

pump it

The previous owner of my O'day 28 installed a hand pump at the galley sink to "pump" the melt water from the ice box instead of allowing it to drain into the bilge. It seems that one hot summer day(s) a milk jug leaked into the bilge making something like cottage cheese in the bilge. The odor was something less than nice, so he installed the simple hand pump at the sink. I have seen other boats with foot pumps to do the same thing. I suppose the ultimate would be a small electric pump attached to the ice box drain. I have never seen an ice box drained by a through-hull. I imagine that when heeled sea water would fill the ice box unless a check valve was installed. More valves is always trouble so go with the pump foot, hand or electric.Good luck