New cockpit drain through hulls

[Minnesail]

I have a 1974 Catalina 22 that still has the original cockpit drain setup. I've read here that Catalina recommends closing the original through hull completely and replacing it with two through-hull on either side and the cockpit drains crossed so that the cockpit doesn't flood when heeled.

Has anyone done this? Do you have pictures?

 

[Milton.Audas]

G'day. There have been some previous posts on this subject. Suggest searching the archives using various keywords. I recall someone had responded that the old style cockpit inclines forward in the direction of those original design scupper drains. Reports were that the new style (> 86) cockpits slope aft to the transom drains. So if you close off the old drains then the slope will work against you and leave water in the cockpit. Best advice that I saw was to keep the originals in place an install the new style as back-up. It is what I intend to do on my '81.

 

[Bilbo]

...... and the cockpit drains crossed so that the cockpit doesn't flood when heeled.

Has anyone done this? Do you have pictures?

The issue is twofold. The transom drains are much larger to drain the cockpit much faster. The older floor drains can clog with leaves and debris while on the trailer and this can cause the whole hull to fill with water.

So, the added transom scuppers are a great idea.
The original drains are supposed to drain into one central drain. I'm not sure where you've seen that but thinking about crossing isn't necessary.

The CD kit for the transom scuppers comes with the rental of proper equipment and has been done by several owners.

 

[Minnesail]

I've seen a couple posts on here about doing two drains and crossing the lines, the people all said they got the information from Catalina.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/archive/index.php/t-151785.html
On 04-29-2013, 08:18 pm Drevi17546 said "I will be replacing it with 2 thru hulls on either side of the keel trunk. Seems counter intuitive to replace 1 with 2 but they will be self sufficient, so either 1 can clog, and done with real mechanical thru hull fittings. This is what Tech support at catalina suggested and my local boat yard affirmed. Criss cross the drain lines so you don't get water up the drain when heeled over."

I want to add the transom scuppers, but I'd also like to replace the original through-hull with a proper modern one, and I'm wondering about the one vs. two thing. It seems like with the through hull in the middle by the time you had the cockpit floor below the waterline the through hull would up out.

 

[Chris Patterson]

As already said, the rear scuppers will take over if the front ones clog while parked. The BIG idea is, if you get pooped by following water. A couple of problems here. The hatch boards have to be in, and secured fairly firmly. They'll float out. How many people keep the hatch closed? Show of hands? No, I don't either. If you're out in water THAT stinky in a C22, well...

And crossing drain lines strike me as a monumental waste of time. There is no way anybody can kick one of these things around as hard as I have, and can't remember water coming up the drains. If it were, chances are highly likely we were paying attention to other things, the screaming and fighting, throwing beer bottles at each other, the classics..

 

[CaptDon01]

On the original design C-22, the cockpit floor has a slight angle forward to drain through the two scuppers at the companionway. These have been prone to blockage forever, and are especially a problem for our C-22 brothers and sisters that live in area's that experience "winter". Catalina Direct has a kit to install two cockpit drains in the transom, just like the 2nd generation C-22's and newer have. Being simply a hole in the transom, they are bullet proof. But, I always thought the kit was a bit expensive. It's not really rocket science, so I purchased a tubing flange tool from Moeller. Mine is a 1 1/4" model, which is slightly smaller than the Catalina Direct kit, and the factory's 1 1/2" set-up. Either way, 1 1/4" or 1 1/2", it's not that big if a difference. Now you need to epoxy some wood block to take up the space in the transom between the outer hull and the cockpit. I think the flange tool ran me around $30. and I picked up the tube from the plumbing department at my local Home Depot,(bathroom sink drain plumbing is normally 1 1/4"). A simple cheap afternoon project.

Don

 

[Minnesail]

Yes, the previous owner said he came out one day to find the trailer tongue up in the air and the stern of the boat on the ground because the drains had clogged and the cockpit had filled with rainwater.

It does sound much easier to do it yourself than to use Catalina's kit for the transom scuppers.

From Mr. Patterson's note that he never got water up through the drains, I will dismiss the two through-hull idea. And dude, they make good beer in cans these days, keep the bottles out of the cockpit!

 

[Chris Patterson]

Yep, scared already, what with that 'Mr.' thing.
Cans? HELL no! A man can't draw any blood with a can. Firearms is cheating, and in poor form. Hand to hand combat, sharpened instruments, and even poison methane gas is allowed. We've even discussed the firearm ban, and may try it on semi only. No automatics. A motley crew you bet. We're racing the Stede Bonnet this year wearing tuxedos, in open defiance of the rule that says you have to be dressed as a pirate. And we plan on cheating at every opportunity. Fun race, but it's really more like a demolition derby. Last year a bud of mine broadsided the committee boat even. I swear he did it on purpose..

Oh yeah, back to the point. Don's got it you know. That or epoxy in two pieces of PVC pipe. What a simple job. I think I could do it underway..

 

[Bilbo]

I've seen a couple posts on here about doing two drains and crossing the lines, the people all said they got the information from Catalina.

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/archive/index.php/t-151785.html
On 04-29-2013, 08:18 pm Drevi17546 said "I will be replacing it with 2 thru hulls on either side of the keel trunk. ...

I'd inspect your boat. If it's still factory (and most would be) then your two drains at the front of the cockpit will drain into a "T" fitting and out one thru hull. That's standard. So is the forward sloping floor of the older style. The newer style boats have a stern-sloping floor to the two transom scuppers. I'd leave the old drains in and add the transoms if you want better drainage.

It seems like with the through hull in the middle by the time you had the cockpit floor below the waterline the through hull would up out.

Maybe, but the stern drains would be there. They drain about 6 or 8 times faster because of the bigger diameter. I'd also not recommend that you not heel her so far that the hull center line is out of the water. If you are that far over, then I'd hope that your pop top is locked in the down position (if you have one) , your hatches are all tight, your cabin boards are in place and you're wearing a life jacket.
The benefit of adding crossed drains like that might be for trailer storage because I understand that the "T" fitting area can clog with leaves. But again, with a covered boat, the stern drains are generally adequate if you add them. Just tarp the boat and don't let them clog.