Problems with sink draining

[Matt Borders]

My 1982 Hunter 22 has a sink that drains through a through hull fitting that comes out the bottom of the boat. When the boat is not in the water it drains fine. When I put my boat in the water the sink doesn't drain well at all. The water seems to just sit in the sink. Does anyone have a solution for fixing this problem?

 

[Paul Akers]

Partly clogged

You may have a partial clog that causes the drain not to exceed the external pressure. Use a snake or plunder to clean out the drain pipe/hose and see what happens.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

If the drain were clogged...

The sink wouldn't drain while the boat is out of the water either...so I don't think a snake will solve the problem. Check for any kind of sag/loop in the drain line that could be creating what effectively amounts to a "p-trap." That, combined with the external pressure created by water in the drain to the waterline, would prevent the sink from draining while in the water, but not while out of the water.

 

[Matt Borders]

Pressurized pump out

Does anyone know if there is a way to create pressure to get the water to leave the sink? Something like a pump to pump the water out of the sink through the through hull?

 

[Steve Hunter 22]

Sink Drain problem

I bought a boat that had not been used for 5 years and had all kinds of trash in the drain. I poured water in it then used a plunger. Put your finger under the plunger edge and push down to get the air out then hold it down at the bottom to keep the seal and work the plunger up and down causing everything in the line to move. Then pull up on the plunger and removed any thing that comes up. I used to do apartment maintenance and have unstopped many a bathroom sink and garbage disposal.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Fwiw, NEVER use Drano etc in boat plumbing

Just wanted to mention that for future reference while we're on the subject of clogged drains. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda makes a good drain opener and is safe for use in boat plumbing--put it in and plug the sink...but must be used VERY carefully...'cuz it can blow out a fitting before it moves a particularly stubborn clog. And while a plunger is ok for sink drains, never use one of those in a toilet...that can damage the pump. Unless someone has flushed something they shouldn't have (paper towel, tampon, a big wad of premium TP), it shouldn't be necessary to do anything except wait a couple of hours for the clog to dissolve.

 

[Matt Borders]

Might have come up with a solution

Yesterday while I was installing my NEW VHF radio (You know the old addage about boats and the hole in the water)I disconected the drain hose from the sink. I cleaned the end off and I hooked it up to a high volume pump. I pumped some air down the tube and I heard something come out of the hose. After that it seemed like it was totally unrestricted flow. I will let you all know what happens when I get in the water. I am still wondering, why didn't Hunter have the sink drain above the water line? That seems like a better solution. Anyone have any comments or thoughts on this?