Cockpit Drain thru hull valves

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:00 am

Reading the last survey done on my boat I noticed a recommendation for cockpit drain shut-off valves.
Are valves on the cockpit drains a 'good' idea? My drain thru hulls are above the waterline on the transom. There are times when they are submerged, but I seldom get any water coming through into the cockpit. There're no valves.

My thoughts are that if they were closed and the boat left for a period of time, the cockpit could fill and eventually cause the boat to sink.
I'll need a new insurance survey in the spring, so I'm wondering if this needs to become the next project.

Any and all opinions, as always, are welcome!

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:26 am

I think cockpit drains are one of those debatable areas. That said, I don't think anyone would recommend closing them when you leave the boat -- the valves would be there just in case something happened when you were aboard.

I'm a nut for having valves, but gosh, the way your drains come out above the waterline and so close to centerline, I'm not sure even I would feel the need for them.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1) Could you even get to the valves to close them in time of trouble?

2) If you can access them, how about softwood plugs as another option?

2) On the other hand if it's something that would nag at you if they weren't there, you might want to put them on regardless of whether or not they're "necessary." (It doesn't sound like this is why you're asking.)

4) How good are the hose barbs, tubes, or whatever the hoses attach to at the through-hull? If those are good and strong...

Rachel

PS: 5) Do you ever plan to flood the cockpit for bathing? If so, valves :^)

Post by **Tim** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:46 am

If they're above the static waterline, I don't see why you'd install valves even as a safeguard--never mind that there's absolutely nothing in the form of recommended standards or guidelines to even suggest that they might somehow be necessary. Keep any hoses and clamps in good condition and they'll not fail.

While I think valves on below-waterline cockpit drains (and all below-waterline fittings) are a good idea, valves on above-waterline cockpit drains just seem silly, and their absence certainly won't cause any problems at survey time based on so-called "requirements" and the like. If I had drains above the waterline, I wouldn't install valves.