Stern Boat drain

[robert19954]

Water gathers on my stern deck. It used to drain out of the back but for some reason it doesn't and I can't seem to unplug it. When inserting something to clear it out it just travel into the hull without results.

Even with the hatches closed water also gathers in the cabin down below and in the battery box on the rear deck, again with the hatch closed. There must be a leak in the deck flooring that I can't see, but even on the trailer, out of the water, I have to pump out the deck, the cabin and the battery box. I fear that if it is moored some where on the lake it will just take on water.

Any takers on either plugging the plug when I sail and how can I get it to drain.

Thanks,

Robert Sylvester

 

[Sunbird22358]

It would help us a lot if you mentioned which O'DAY model you have.
In hte meantime, I'd check to be sure that there isn't a crack in either hte fittings or hose for your cockpit drain.

 

[Golden Road]

I'd say you better get down under inside with a flashlight, while somebody heavily sprays the deck/cabin with a hose. All leaks are findable, it just takes a little energy, and maybe a contortionist...!

 

[robert19954]

Stusail:
It is a 23 foot O'Day, from the 1970's. I first thought I had small cracks in the deck and that is where the water was coming from after a rain. It is sitting on my trailer not in the water. When I examined the boat there was water in the cabin, the stern deck as well as the battery hold in the back. The hatches were all closed. Usually the water on the back deck drain out of the rear drain. but now it won't drain and I had to manually pump out the water from the three areas.
It is quite frustrating, being all fiberglas, why water would gather in the three areas. I am a fraid to put it in the water; I beleive it is doubled hulled with styrofoam blocks inbetween. I am also concerned that water has gahtered in between the hulls and now for some reason nothing will drain.

Thanks,
Robert Sylvester

 

[robert19954]

Sunbird:

I know I sound less than knowledgeable, but where do I find the drain in the cabin. Also, the back drain at the stern does it have a valve or flapper inside to prevent water from coming in while it is in the water or is it angled and work by gravity to drain and not allow water in. How do you open your drains?
Thanks,

Robert Sylvester

 

[Indysailor]

If you have water in the bilge and the boat's on a trailer, then it's probably coming in from one of few places and all of it will run to the lowest part of the boat (the bilge):

1) The cockpit drain or anchor locker drain may be leaking - take apart and repair if necessary. Requires getting under the cockpit for that drain and the anchor locker drain tube is accessible through the vee berth. This is a frequent source of water in the boat. Results may vary depending on whether it's a 23-I or 23-II.

2) Deck fittings are leaking- this includes any part that penetrates the cabin top, side decks, comings, ports, mast step, etc.

3) Water is running in via the cockpit lockers. On my boat, when it pours water makes it's way in this way.

There is no drain in the cabin that I can think of. On my boat, a 23-II, there is a cover over the bilge (which is only a couple inches deep).

I suppose my first action would be to get at the cockpit drain- I'm not sure if it's identical on the older and newer 23, but if it's clogged you need to remedy that. If it's leaking, the water will run down into the bilge under the cabin. You can find a replacement hose to match it at an auto parts store.

 

[Sunbird22358]

There were 3 different 23' O'DAYs built during the 1970s, the TEMPEST (1970) ,the original O'DAY 23 (1971-74) and the second O'DAY 23 (1977-85). Only the Tempest had a "stern deck" under which was the outboard well. That deck was flush with the top of the hull so any water on that deck would just run off over the side of the boat and not puddle.
The 1st version of the O'DAY 23 (1971-74) sort-of sounds closest to your description, so I will assume that is what you have.
The cockpit drain appears to have been just a tube through the transom, perhaps the owner of a 1971-74 23 can elaborate on that. There was no flapper over it originally, but it looks too small to really need one to prevent water from surging in. Even if there was a flapper, that will not stop water from flowing in if the drain were to be below the waterline for any reason. A flapper would also interfere with the lower rudder gudgeon. It is possible that there is a crack in that tube allowing water to leak into the bilge, or if the tube was metal it may have corroded through over the years.
If water is leaking in through that tube, it could find it's way forward to the cabin depending on how level the boat is on the trailer. There is no drain in the cabin, it would be below the waterline when the boat is in the water and so would not drain out, only in. There is no forward anchor locker, so that drain isn't causing your leak (anchor well was only on 1977-85 models).
If you boat is an early (1971-72) pop-top, rain can/will leak in around the mast, since your boat is hauled out and I assume the mast is unstepped, if your boat is that model, there is presently a big hole in the cabin top that will be letting in rain.
As Indysailer mentions, I'd check all deck fittings for leaks, the only way water could be getting into that compartment near the stern that apparently holds your battery would be either a crack in the area around the hatch or if the hinges are leaking through their boltholes.
One more thing, looking at a pic of that hatch, does it have hinges? Or did O'DAY use a pair of bungee cords threaded thru holes in the hatch (and deck) to hinge the hatch? My DS II has a built-in "ice-box in the cockpit and the "hinge" for the hatch is made of bungee cords, it used to leak in a heavy rain until I added a strip of gasket-tape (self-adhesive weather strip) above the holes. Anyway, see pics below.

 

[robert19954]

Sunbird;

My O'Day has a sunken stern deck, there is a drain hole at the bottom and it used to drain, now the water just gathers on the deck and stands there. There are seats on either side with storage units, ice box, etc. The one storage area was used by the previous owner as a battery storage area.
The hinges are brass note bungee cords to the storage units.
Thanks,

Robert Sylester

 

[Indysailor]

Robert,
I''m still not sure what year your boat is, but am not sure it makes a difference for the drain. The drain on mine (a 1980) was clogged today and I ran a bottle cleaner into it and pushed out a bunch of leaves. If you really want to make sure that drain is all right, climb under the cockpit, remove the hose and check it. Inspect the hose and the through hull fitting that connects it to the basin.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Robert, do you mean to say that water is collecting at the aft end of your cockpit footwell? I think you said your boat was a 1978 or 79?
The only drain for the cockpit is at the aft end of the footwell and as Indysailer advises, is that isn't draining.....it will need to be cleaned out, but first make sure that nothing is split or cracked (hose and 2 thru-hulls).

I see you had already replied to my answer to you under "Cracks in the Deck".

 

[robert19954]

Sunbird22358:

The diagram and the pictures look about right. The battery box or ice box is in the right place as in the drawing. Even with hatch closed; it has metal hinges not bungee cord, it fills up with water. The aft deck fills up with water when it rains and won't drain. I will try and remove the hoses and see if that is the problem. One local boat owner suggested using a shop vac and suck it out.

Also, if you remove the deck fittings what do most recommend to use to seal the areas on the deck before screwing the fitting back on? Can you order rubber gaskets or something that you would place on the deck then re-attach the fitting to get a good seal?

Also, if one wants to seal the deck to stop leaks, what would you use.

Thanks,

Robert Sylvester