Clogged Drain

[GAGates]

Loving our Classic 1970 53' Hat, and still learning! We have a clogged drain (scupper) on port side amidships. I've tried about everything I can think of (high water pressure, snake (very carefully), muriatic acid (a couple treatments only) but to no avail. It appears that the drain decreases in diameter as it descends towards the exit hole, which to me means, if it's a large obstruction (which it seems to be), I need to try to blow it upwards. Any suggestions or other thoughts?

 

[MikeP]

As you surmised - Remove the screen at the top and reverse flushing it with high pressure water should do the trick. We had the same problem with one drain when we bought our boat and what looked like birds/mud dauber nest parts came out though not sure that's what it was. It can be a little difficult getting to/sealing the bottom end so all the water pressure goes up the drain hose but I'm sure it will "get 'er done."

 

[Pascal]

On mine both drains on each side of the wing door are tee d together below deck ( access in master closet on port side and in medicine cabinet on stbd side)

If both drains (forward of wing door and just behind are clogged them the issue is between tee and water line. If only one is clogged then it s between the deck and tee and usually easier to clear from below deck

 

[Nonchalant1]

That drain goes into a seachest glassed into the hull which also drains the master stateroom bilge pump and shower. Access to the seachest hose connections are through a panel on the port side of your aft stateroom hanging closet. Follow the hoses to see which, unclamp that one and reverse flush or put a snake up through it, as it is rather short. It will do no good to try to backflush from the water outlet at the exterior waterline of the boat as multiple other lines run into that chest.

Doug

 

[MikeP]

Hmmm... Our '80 53MY's shower sump and aft bilge pump drain through fittings in the transom. I always assumed it was oem but now I wonder if the PO changed the routing/added those fittings and blocked those sea chest fittings for some reason. I have never looked at the schematics/didn't know there was a sea chest there but if you blast water into our scupper drains, it will geyser out of the deck drains.

I guess Forrest Gump's momma was right when she was telling Forrest about about buying a used boat, "You never know what you're going to get."

 

[GAGates]

You guys are too funny and so very helpful! I've located the panel but have to remove a shelf in order to get it open. Will let you all know what I find & how it goes! Thanks again for all the recommendations!

 

[GAGates]

MikeP: Just a note to tell you we purchased our 1970 '53 MY at Kent Island in April. I see in your signature block that you call that your home port? Eric Horst was the seller's broker.

 

[SeaWhisper]

You'll find that the drain connects to a seachest. Just clear the hose. Hatteras used or the PO used maybe a ribbed hose.