Re: bilge drain installation
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:23 pmFor a DS1 (single hull), if you leave the transom drain open, water will come in until the seat and bow tanks are submerged enough to keep the boat afloat. Assuming the tanks are sealed, any rainwater etc. would drain to the same level. Not sure if I'd be comfortable with this, but conceivably it's a way to ensure that an uncovered boat doesn't swamp when unattended.
For a DSII (double hull) there should be separate cockpit drain(s) and bilge drain(s). The bilge drain isn't something you'd leave open while on the water, but the cockpit drains should be fine. Any water coming into the cockpit should drain right out -- unless these drains are plugged and water seeps into the bilge over time. Again, not sure I'd be comfortable leaving an uncovered boat unattended, but as long as the drains are open, a rainstorm shouldn't be able to swamp her.
On a trailer, safest thing is to leave all drains open (and where feasible) tilt it enough so that any water coming in will drain.
For a DSII (double hull) there should be separate cockpit drain(s) and bilge drain(s). The bilge drain isn't something you'd leave open while on the water, but the cockpit drains should be fine. Any water coming into the cockpit should drain right out -- unless these drains are plugged and water seeps into the bilge over time. Again, not sure I'd be comfortable leaving an uncovered boat unattended, but as long as the drains are open, a rainstorm shouldn't be able to swamp her.
On a trailer, safest thing is to leave all drains open (and where feasible) tilt it enough so that any water coming in will drain.