Lots of water in the anchor locker - 212X

[GoVols01]

At no wake speeds or when coming off plane, that stupid drain for the anchor locker is under water and allows the anchor locker to fill with water. Once on plane, of course, it's above water line and then begins to drain. I'm seriously considering plugging that dumb drain hole because I believe it's useless. It should be able simply air dry on its own without a drain as the anchor and rope really don't bring that much water onboard when pulling up the anchor. Any ideas on how to plug that hole? It would be nice if we had a plug like a drain plug that can be removed, if need be.

 

[haknslash]

3M 4200 would do the job

I also don't really understand the need for the anchor drain or why they didn't just plumb the drain to the bilge, ski locker or other places where it could naturally drain and not swamp your anchor locker when coming off plane. That's how it does it on my boat. Hell even something as simple as a one-way check valve.

You could maybe use a barbed plug to seal from the top tube and remove it when you want to drain. If you store your boat outside you'll probably want to leave the plug out.

 

[Coheeba]

FAQ: Anchor Locker Drain Leaks

 

[Matt Phillips]

I agree. I don't see why this has to fill with water, but do see a need for it to drain.

I do however, take my rode out at the end of each trip and lay it about the deck so it can dry. I don't want it to ret INB there.

 

[Ronnie]

This has been discussed before but I doubt I could find links to the threads now.
My 242ls suffers from the same problem and I feel that at least some of the water splashes over the tops of the inner side walls of the anchor locker and eventually into the bilge /area underneath the bow seating.

For me the solution was simple (FYI, I only store fenders and lines in there), I found a plastic and rubber cork/stopper at my Local BevMo that expands to seal off the drain and can be easily removed and reused whenever I want. I think it cost me all of $4 and has worked well for years now.

 

[GoVols01]

I found a plastic and rubber cork/stopper at my Local BevMo that expands to seal off the drain and can be easily removed and reused whenever I want. I think it cost me all of $4 and has worked well for years now.

That's exactly what I had in-mind for this. Can you post a picture of the one you bought? I was thinking all of the wine bottle keepers would be too large to fit into the locker drain hole. I think the hole is only the diameter of a pencil.

 

[Ronnie]

I'm out of town / away from my boat for a few more days so can't take or post a pic of my solution but know the drain diameter is bigger than a pencil's. my cork is conical and short, when I pull the lever on the back of it A rubber ring installed in the center of the stopper gets compressed and creates the seal. It is installed from inside the locker and does not protrude through the other side.

 

[GoVols01]

Yet another fine example of how all of life's issues are resolved by items found in a liquor store! Thanks for the info! I'll be going by the store during my lunch break.

 

[Devildog]

If you do put in a plug, just be careful of the pressure that you apply when putting it in. I pushed mine in too hard and the whole plastic insert piece fell out. So the anchor locker drain was just an open hole. I was just lucky that the white insert piece did not fall in the water. I siliconed the piece back into the hole and all is good now. I'm going to try your idea of the beverage stopper rather than a cork.

 

[jeff_s]

Here is pics of what mine looked like. I decided to insert a 1/2 peice of tubing and put some 5200 around it. It isn't pretty but it should work for now.

 

[Coheeba]

I initially sealed the hole with 5200, then I found a plug at Walmart that was ½" diameter. It is a little tight but fits.

 

[Coheeba]

I have also been searching for a scupper that will allow water to drain but not enter from sea. When I find it I will post details.

 

[ToddW850]

Only reasons I can think of needing that drain is if you take some waves over the bow and it fills with water, or it would allow rain water to drain out. That keeps me from permanently sealing mine. I've left mine open.

 

[buckbuck]

Posting pictures is a great help. Thanks guys.

 

[Coheeba]

I am a fair weather sailor, no water over the bow! I can always remove the plug to drain and clean out. It just keeps water from rushing in.
They should have run a drain into the bilge from the locker or put a one way scupper in.