recently obtained a 22 catalina(70 ish model) the problem i have at the moment is that the bottom hasnt been cleaned in 2 years and sitting on sarasota bay, full now with barnicles. my through hull fitting that drains the cock pit via two drains, that i assume is encased on bottom at the through hull with barnicles. the cock pit is filling up and spilling over into the boat, and with the several inches weve had(already bailed it out tonight,) it could sink in all this rain before i can get a battery and bilge pump installed etc. my question is, can i run a coat hanger, etc through the thru hull fitting to tru and unclog, or should i maybe drill hole into the side above the water line and install a new through hull fitting to drain the cock pit. Also catalina owners, this clogged through hull sits right next to cable raising/lowering the keel. how can water drain by gravity feed if the through hull is below the water line? i assume that it is any way. thanks lee
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Lisa Woodburn
Good question... this article may interest you...
Hi Lee, There's an article in the Nov 1999 issue of Mainsheet that discusses older 22's and how to install scuppers through the back of the transom, if you're so inclined. My '72's scuppers drain slowly too, but from "stuff", not barnicles. I'm interested in answers to your question. I'm also interested in installing the transom cockpit scuppers (and millions of other things) - but can't find someone willing to assist in the 110 degree summer "dry heat" out here - we'd rather be sailing
Hi Lee, There's an article in the Nov 1999 issue of Mainsheet that discusses older 22's and how to install scuppers through the back of the transom, if you're so inclined. My '72's scuppers drain slowly too, but from "stuff", not barnicles. I'm interested in answers to your question. I'm also interested in installing the transom cockpit scuppers (and millions of other things) - but can't find someone willing to assist in the 110 degree summer "dry heat" out here - we'd rather be sailing
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Bob Finley
Wheel valve
this is probably old news to you, but just in case you are not completely familiar with the drain configuration here goes. The cockpit drains "Y" into a single line that has a wheel valve that opens into the drain through the hull. The handbooks recommend closing the wheel valve when the boat is moored. Your problem could be as simple as the wheel valve being closed. To get to it, remove the wood panel that covers the crank for the keel winch and the wheel valve is right behind it. You probably wouldn't have much luck running a coat hanger down the pipes anyway because you couldn't get through the wheel valve. I like to approach problems by looking at the simple answers first instead of jumping to the complex right off the bat. I too have a mid 70's boat and it doesn't have the transom scuppers. Last week when the boat was at the yard getting a bottom job, I inquired about adding the transom scuppers. The folks there indicated that the boat normally rides with the front of the cockpit slightly down and that the forward ones drain just fine. Seems like the rear ones would be an added protection for super heavy rain at mooring with the drain valve closed. Since I trailer my boat, installing them would be a cinch on the driveway. Just need a drill with a hole saw the right size and some sealant. Shouldn't be more than an hour job from start to finish. On level of difficulty, I see it about like installing a through the door viewer in the house front door. Good luck. Bob
this is probably old news to you, but just in case you are not completely familiar with the drain configuration here goes. The cockpit drains "Y" into a single line that has a wheel valve that opens into the drain through the hull. The handbooks recommend closing the wheel valve when the boat is moored. Your problem could be as simple as the wheel valve being closed. To get to it, remove the wood panel that covers the crank for the keel winch and the wheel valve is right behind it. You probably wouldn't have much luck running a coat hanger down the pipes anyway because you couldn't get through the wheel valve. I like to approach problems by looking at the simple answers first instead of jumping to the complex right off the bat. I too have a mid 70's boat and it doesn't have the transom scuppers. Last week when the boat was at the yard getting a bottom job, I inquired about adding the transom scuppers. The folks there indicated that the boat normally rides with the front of the cockpit slightly down and that the forward ones drain just fine. Seems like the rear ones would be an added protection for super heavy rain at mooring with the drain valve closed. Since I trailer my boat, installing them would be a cinch on the driveway. Just need a drill with a hole saw the right size and some sealant. Shouldn't be more than an hour job from start to finish. On level of difficulty, I see it about like installing a through the door viewer in the house front door. Good luck. Bob
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john renfro
drain
hello lee, the gate valve is four inches below the water line. try opening the valve. the waterline is about eight inches below the cockpit so the water in the cockpit has relatively more force than the water around the boat, so it can force its way out the drain.try a bathroom plunger on the cockpit drains, go under the boat with the coathanger to clear the drain except for cockpit drains as discribed by bob, don't poke any holes in the hull. good luck john
hello lee, the gate valve is four inches below the water line. try opening the valve. the waterline is about eight inches below the cockpit so the water in the cockpit has relatively more force than the water around the boat, so it can force its way out the drain.try a bathroom plunger on the cockpit drains, go under the boat with the coathanger to clear the drain except for cockpit drains as discribed by bob, don't poke any holes in the hull. good luck john
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Bob Finley
Toilet plunger
John's idea of the toilet plunger is a good one. Just remember that the 2 cockpit drains are "Y" connected above the drain valve so you will have to seal one off while you plunger the other one or any suction will just come back up the second one and not blow the obstruction out the bottom. I am more than ever convinced that your wheel valve is closed and that is the problem. Bob
John's idea of the toilet plunger is a good one. Just remember that the 2 cockpit drains are "Y" connected above the drain valve so you will have to seal one off while you plunger the other one or any suction will just come back up the second one and not blow the obstruction out the bottom. I am more than ever convinced that your wheel valve is closed and that is the problem. Bob
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Barry Broyles
Clogged with dirt?
Lee: I had the same problem 2 years ago and wound up with 8 inches of water in the cabin, battery, and aft dinette seat compartment. Luckily my boat was on the trailer. In my case the drain bell and upper drain hose was clogged. I pried the screens from the top of the drains (they pop right out with a screw driver and pop right back in by hand when done) and cleaned them out using a coat hangar with the end bent back against itself with a piece of rag crimped in between. This only works if the clog is above the "Y" fitting. I have also unclogged the lower part of the drain from underneath as described in John's response. Good Luck! Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"
Lee: I had the same problem 2 years ago and wound up with 8 inches of water in the cabin, battery, and aft dinette seat compartment. Luckily my boat was on the trailer. In my case the drain bell and upper drain hose was clogged. I pried the screens from the top of the drains (they pop right out with a screw driver and pop right back in by hand when done) and cleaned them out using a coat hangar with the end bent back against itself with a piece of rag crimped in between. This only works if the clog is above the "Y" fitting. I have also unclogged the lower part of the drain from underneath as described in John's response. Good Luck! Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"
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Bob Finley
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Gary Nagle
Drain unclog
Your drain can be unclogged by using a peice of flexiable plastic or metal rod. I have used thick weed wacker line in the past and it worked pretty good. Good luck!
Your drain can be unclogged by using a peice of flexiable plastic or metal rod. I have used thick weed wacker line in the past and it worked pretty good. Good luck!
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