What, no drains in the chain locker?

[bobk]

I just went looking for the source of a very minor leak, pulled the chain out of the chain locker and found a puddle and NO drain hole. Is this the norm on other Hatts, or do I have a modification by a dumb PO.

The follow up question is how the heck can one get a drain into an area that seems to have no lower access? Other 48 MY owners, what do you have in the locker?

Bob

 

[Will]

There isn't a drain for the chain locker on our 1980 43-DC either.
Will

 

[SKYCHENEY]

We have about a 1" hole in the bottom plywood of our chainlocker on our 1985 53EDMY. I no idea if it is original or if a PO drilled it, but it is painted grey like the rest of inside of the locker and it looks OEM.

 

[MikeP]

Our 1980 53MY chain locker has a drain - directly below to the forward sump area where the oem bilge pump is located. Looks original.

 

[DAlter]

Our 1978 53MY has a drain hole also in the bottom of the chain locker which drains into the forward bilge.

 

[GaryNW]

I find the Hatteras approach curious on this item. My 31EC drains the chain locker to the bilge on c/l. Chain and especially nylon 3-strand can get mucky and smelly. As far as I'm concerned, a chain locker should be sealed from the rest of the boat and have a dedicated drain thru the hull at the bottom of the locker. On my future projects list. Hell, my 22' trailer boat has this setup. Interior access is a plastic dogged hatch with o-ring sealing. If you want to keep the pretty teak door, just install it on top of the dogged hatch.
Gary

 

[MikeP]

We anchor out mostly and have never had a locker odor problem from the anchor chain but we wash down the chain as we pull it back in to ensure all the crud is removed. PO installed a (saltwater) washdown pump for that purpose.

 

[bobk]

We anchor out mostly and have never had a locker odor problem from the anchor chain but we wash down the chain as we pull it back in to ensure all the crud is removed. PO installed a (saltwater) washdown pump for that purpose.

Same here. Lots of anchoring, but it gets a good salt water wash every time and there is no odor. Draining to the forward sump would be fine if I can figure a way to plumb it.

Bob

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Our 36 C has a tube from the chain locker to the forward bige pump area. It is at least 1" dia.

 

[GaryNW]

Well, I don't have a washdown system, but I don't allow a muddy rode in the locker either. After returning to home port, I pull out the rode that has been used and hose it with fresh water. It stays wet and attracts more mosture if the salt isn't washed off. We struggle to maintain a dry boat and yet pack around this wet rode adjacent to the v-berth. Same deal with the indoor/outdoor carpet in the cockpit. If I don't follow up the buckets of saltwater I used while fishing with a good hosing with fresh water the carpet simply will remain wet for weeks.
If you are happy with the status quo, fine. I still find it odd that such a well thought out boat doesn't drain the chain locker overboard. Real easy and inexpensive for the oem.
Gary

 

[Genesis]

Gigabite's chain locker drained to the forward bilge area, which was serviced by its own pump.

Never had a problem with odor or such up there, and we anchored a LOT (I mostly dove off the boat, so as you might imagine it was not uncommon to have 300' of rode out)

 

[REBrueckner]

no drains in the chain locker?

My1972 Hatt YF also has some holes in the bottom of the rope locker...just drains down into the bilge....I've considered alternatives then decided to just write the issue down on my list and leave it alone..

I notice some newer boats have a drain hole in the forward hull at the bottom of the chain/rope locker....While I like the idea of getting dribbles overboard, I don't like any type of water access into the boat...

Them's the options: either inside or outside.