Deck drains

[Scarlett]

I think most things Hatteras did were pretty good, but there are exceptions, like the deck drains on the 53 MY. With only one drain per side for the entire deck. We have been having epic rains for us here in So Cal and my drains keep getting crap in them which is plugging them up. How do you keep the grates clean? Even a small leaf will plug the up. And second question how do you remove these drains with the wing doors being on top of them. One of mine is leaking into the aft head medicine cabinet and I would like to re bed it. Thanks, John​

 

[SEVEN]

I think Hatteras realized their mistake and in later years put one drain before the wing doors and one aft of the wing doors. Even with two I still have a problem you mentioned with things clogging the first drain in front of the wing door. I have to constantly clean them before I go home or else it can get clogged with debris. We had such a rainstorm a few years back that it was plugged and backed up all the way to the side door. The water came in through the side door and down into the engine room. Bit of a mess. Neither of my drains are under the wing doors.

 

[Scarlett]

The evolution of these boats is amazing, most changes they made over the years were very well thought out.

 

[Glory]

My '73 has two drains one forward of wing door and one after.

 

[Photolomy]

Mine has two also, but that doesn't help. The one forward clogs easily. I have thought about putting a little dam right in front of the drain to catch the junk. It is amazing how easily they clog.

 

[Pascal]

My 1970 has a drain on each side of the door but indeed they can clog easily. And to make thing ls worst they are Y’ed together just under the deck. Poor design. They should have had both hoses going down to the sea chest

Watch those hoses if original they are VERY brittle, just like the hoses for the drains close to the stern.

 

[scottinsydney]

Scarlett,

Here is my deck drain story....I originally thought it was the fuel caps leaking. The leaks caused terrible damage on the port side, now repaired. We installed all new drain parts (from Sam) for both sides and new bendy hose.

You will find the metal drain elbow fitting, crumbling. The amount of dirt that accumulated in the upper bilges from the leaking deck fittings was incredible.

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?32206-Leaking-Fuel-Cap-Fittings

Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Toolsntoys]

On my 1980 each side deck drain has its own hose to the sea chest The rear deck drains are molded into the deck and the fiberglass nipple is cone shaped and difficult for a hose to get clamped securely

 

[SEVEN]

On my 1980 each side deck drain has its own hose to the sea chest The rear deck drains are molded into the deck and the fiberglass nipple is cone shaped and difficult for a hose to get clamped securely

Can you send a photo?

 

[JD5652]

Here are a couple pics of my rear deck drain.. they are definitely fiberglass and appear to be molded into or perhaps integral part of the fiberglass deck... 1976 58 LRC

 

[ian w]

I drilled 2 x 2inch holes in the wood under the aft deck doors to let wate into the 2 aft deck drains
Works very well
Ian w 1981 53my

 

[SEVEN]

I drilled 2 x 2inch holes in the wood under the aft deck doors to let wate into the 2 aft deck drains
Works very well
Ian w 1981 53my

Can you send a snap shot of what that looks like. I like the idea but before I drill holes that large I’d like to see what it looks like. Thanks

 

[Toolsntoys]

Rusty here is a couple pics I had from a couple years ago.

 

[Plan B2]

I have a leak on the starboard deck drain forward of the wing door. From the looks of it I must remove quite a few panels in both the aft and mid heads to access these hoses and connections to the drain itself. Am I missing something or do I just start taking the walls apart?

 

[Scarlett]

Mine can be accessed by a panel on the overhead in the aft head medicine cabinet., John

 

[Plan B2]

Thanks Scarlett,
I could access the aft deck drain connection from an access panel just aft of the medical cabinet. I might try creating one in the cabinet.

What about the sea chest on the other end of the "bendy" hose? I can only see the bottom of it from a panel in the mid shower stall. No visible access for the side connection where the hose from the
drain(s) would connect

 

[zigzag930]

Guys, just curious - what is clogging them up?

Are these cockpit drains or aft deck drains? Other than rain (or maybe seawater on occasion) what is causing the clog? Leaves or something falling in there?

 

[SEVEN]

Believe or not the smallest of things clog those drains. I think Hatteras made them that way to catch everything. Can imagine all that stuff getting into the hose and getting stuck. We would be replacing them quite often. I clean my drain screens every week before I leave for home.