What is this deck plate for?

[rade0041]

Hello,

Could anyone tell me what the plate on the floor near the back of the cabin on my 1996 26' Hunter is for? I popped the cover off and it doesn't seem to go anywhere. I was going to take it out and clean it up and possible replace it.

Thanks!

 

[woodster]

its an access hole for some thing just pop it open and see what's under there i don't think a rubber snake will jump out

 

[rade0041]

I should put one of those spring snakes in a can in there for the next person to open it. That'd be fun.

I attached the picture of it with the plate off. I am guessing it is a drain into the bilge but with the cap on it doesn't seem like a lot of water would run down there. I also notice in pictures online that some boats have it and some do not.

 

[Apex]

water ballast model, or not? No clue, that is my only contribution...lol

 

[Kermit]

Emergency cereal bowl.

 

[rade0041]

If I'm going to eat out of it I better clean it up a bit.

It is the water ballast model.

 

[Justin_NSA]

My guess is water accumulates in the stowage bin and it's a drain to the bilge. Common problem on the Mac. Uncommon solution if it is.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

RA

That was not installed by Hunter but either by the dealer or the owner in the event if there was water in the floor and wanted to get it out or what ever. IF you take it off, probably you would see the lid to the water ballast tank but can be also seen via the storage lid being taken off directly behind under the rear berth.
I never suggested that be put in to my customers for fear of some fool drilling or cutting into the waterballast lid that is directly under the floor pan. No the cabin floor is not glued into or on top of the water ballast lid but merely glued into a recessed area of the floor pan. make sure the bead around the floor is always in tact.

 

[Doug J]

Sure does look like a drain with those holes in it. I've seen pictures of H26's with that and wondered what it was for. Mine doesn't have it. Not sure if it is a drain why it would have a solid cover on it.

 

[JohnVTX]

Looks to me like a hole for a pedestal table.

 

[Regular Guy]

I also go with the idea that the one who put that in was thinking of having a drain for water from the floor to the bilge. But the bottom of the boat is not meant to be a plumbing sewer, I keep it dry there and without smell; sponge out the floor when water should come in.

 

[rade0041]

Thanks! That's the conclusion I was coming to... dealer or owner installed drain. I guess I'll pull it out of there and see if I can come up with something that looks better. If I get real ambitious (and good at matching gel coat) maybe I will try to patch it up.

I plan to make a canvas cover for the companionway so hopefully I won't have a lot of water in that area.

 

[Doug J]

I'm sure I've seen that on other boats. When you say you might try to patch it up, do you mean seal the hole. If that's what you mean, I would suggest not doing that, it may end up being very noticeably a patch. Try just cleaning it up. Maybe replace it with a deck plate. I don't think it looks that bad!

 

[Benny17441]

2nd John's suggestion that it is the base for a pedestal table.

 

[Karyon]

2nd John's suggestion that it is the base for a pedestal table.

Looks to me it would not be deep enough for a pedestal table.
I would almost think it is a drain to the bilge, or a beer can holder if you ar on your knees a lot. lol

 

[woodster]

Looks to me it would not be deep enough for a pedestal table.
I would almost think it is a drain to the bilge, or a beer can holder if you ar on your knees a lot. lol

hence the statement "knee walking drunk"

 

[Doug J]

Yeah, that would be an odd place to put a pedestal for a table, right up close to the companionway steps, and blocking access to the aft berth. And there is already a giant table in the cabin. My curiosity is peaking - what is it really for??? Again, I'm pretty sure I've seen this on other H26's and 260's.

 

[Ron20324]

For those of you who need a water bowl for you pets, here's one that won't slide around....

 

[rade0041]

I think Crazy Dave is correct that it is a drain. I don't think I would have put this type of thing in as a drain. It would only work if you took the cover off. Also there are just four little slits for the water to drain out of it. Seems like they could have just drilled a 1/2 hole in the floor instead.

 

[Kermit]

For those of you who need a water bowl for you pets, here's one that won't slide around....

Except for the weep holes. Those pesky little weep holes sorta kill my emergency cereal bowl idea, too.