drain hole in hull

[calden]

Hey all:

Cleaned up the new boat today (see "New DS Questions" thread a few days ago) and found the drain hole in the hull, immediately aft of the centerboard compartment. It's about 1/3" in diameter, and just a hole, no housing or collar or anything.

Shouldn't it have some kind of a check valve? Certainly I can't put it in the water like this. Where can I obtain the right fitting/valve to replace this?

I'm intending to take this out on Saturday - if I need to I can put a cork in temporarily.

Thanks,
Carlos

[michaelyogi]

Hi Calden
Gotta' DS1 in Eastern WA also and I couldn't help but notice your thread. My DS has a stopper in the drain hole. This stopper is just like the ones in the old thermos bottles, with a rubber body and a metal flip lever on the top. Your right, you gotta' have something in the hole or else it gets wet in the boat real quick. Good luck and good sailing...

[calden]

Hi Calden
Gotta' DS1 in Eastern WA also and I couldn't help but notice your thread. My DS has a stopper in the drain hole. This stopper is just like the ones in the old thermos bottles, with a rubber body and a metal flip lever on the top. Your right, you gotta' have something in the hole or else it gets wet in the boat real quick. Good luck and good sailing...

Thanks - I thought it would be something like that. I'm in Spokane, and intend to go to Lake CdA and Pend Oreille as much as possible. In fact I'm going out for a maiden voyage on Saturday.

Carlos

[michaelyogi]

Keep in mind Carlos, that I've had my DS only one year and I 'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. This boat was purchased out of Port Townsend and was basically "cobbled" together in order to sell to some poor sucker like like me. But love is blind... I sailed her four times last fall then put her into my shop to work on her for the winter. Unfortunately she's still there but looking better than when I purchased her. Hopefully she'll be out soon. Just waiting on the last few parts. By the way I'm in the Methow valley. I sail on some small local lakes, the Columbia river, Banks lake, and of course Puget Sound.Have fun Sat.

[calden]

michaelyogi:

I'd love to hear where you find good sailing up around where you are. I'm looking to take this thing lots of places, and mountain lakes sound great.

Carlos

[Mike M.]

You are lucky, Carlos. I didn't discover that little drain hole aft of the centerboard trunk until AFTER I launched the first time!! Then of course, couldn't find a plug, had to whittle a stick real fast. Did eventually find a plug, and it's threaded. I want to say it's a 3/8" and I found it in the plumbing section at Lowe's. Now I have two extras tucked away and the original whittled stick.

Good sailing

[neisenl]

I have a drain hole aft of centerboard well. My boat (Hull 3002) came with a threaded plastic or delrin plug, with a screw slot.
I did install 2 drain plugs on transom, about 1 inch above "floor". This helps drain most of water from rain, washing, accumulation , etc, with just a small tipping of bow.
Neisen

[calden]

I have a drain hole aft of centerboard well. My boat (Hull 3002) came with a threaded plastic or delrin plug, with a screw slot.
I did install 2 drain plugs on transom, about 1 inch above "floor". This helps drain most of water from rain, washing, accumulation , etc, with just a small tipping of bow.
Neisen

Hey - thanks for the reply. I figured out that is exactly the kind of plug I have. I found the threaded plug sitting in another part of the boat - hadn't noticed it. I bought a spare just in case.

I'm considering installing a transom drain plug as well. The centerboard well drain sits in a little built-up area, and water doesn't totally drain from it. It would be nice to have it all flow out the back.

Carlos