Widgeon Drain Plugs

[D Jones]

Does anyone know how the nylon drain plug just aft of the centerboard truck is SUPPOSED to function? Is it designed to drain ONLY the cockpit?Is the transom drain designed to drain ONLY to space between the hull and the cockpit sole?In my "new" 1972 Widgeon I found pieces of a silicone "plug" below the nylon drain plug. When removed, there is a clear opening completely through the hull that obviously drains water from the cockpit. However, water continued to drain out for quite some time after the cockpit was dry -- presumably coming from the inside of the hull. The nylon plug doesn't appear long enough to keep water from entering that space once the boat is launched.Any information about how things are supposed to work will be very much appreciated.Thanks.D Jones

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Drain Plug

Afternoon:It's simply a drain plug to let the water out after you get the boat on a trailer and to let any accumulation of rain water drain, much as a fishing boat with the drain plug in the transom.The Widgeon does not have a cored hull (at least mine doesn't) so there is no water to drain from the core. There are chambers under the stern and forward seats that had or still has styrofoam?? in them. That's probably where the water is coming from that you are seeing and draining into the cockpit. Mine has drain plugs in the chambers. As I'm not familiar with the later models, it's possible that yours may not.If you would like any clarification on this, contact me through the owners site, Widgeon or O34 either one. Luck!

 

[D Jones]

Cockpit Drain

Thanks for the reply. My Widgeon doesn't have stern and forward seats. They are port and starboard benches that run the full length of the cockpit. From what I can see with mirrors and flashlights, there is a space between the top of the outer hull and the bottom of the cockpit. Indeed, water will run out of the transom drain (plug removed) if I lift the bow high enough. It also seeps out of the cockpit drain even when the cockpit is dry which leads me to believe there might be a failure in the drain hole between those two layers of fiberglass. What I'm trying to figure out is if the cockpit drain hole (which is treaded all the way through to the bottom of the boat) is SUPPOSED to work that way or not. Since the nylon plug extends only about 3/8" into the hole, water could enter the "inner hull" area when the boat is launched if there's a crack or other failure in the wall of the hole. If that's the case, I might be able to find a brass bolt long enough so seal the entire length of the drain hole - about 1". It's also possible the nylon plug has been broken off. That would explain a lot. Thanks again..

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Sounds Like

A call to Rudy Nickerson at 1 508 644 3001 is in order. I've got the mohogany seats that run the length of the boat on both sides, but I'm puzzled about your description. The one that I have is a very early model with no voids or core in the bottom. I have the drain, but it's obviously through solid fiberglass. I also have drain holes in he small voids forward and aft but based on what your saying, there is no comparison between our boats.In case you don't know Rudy, he's the Guru of all O'day owners. Luck!