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Cruisin' Threads => Boat Bits => Topic started by: OptiMystic on August 02, 2008, 07:13:00 AM

Title: Added a cockpit drain
Post by: OptiMystic on August 02, 2008, 07:13:00 AM
I was a little concerned about only having one drain and it was in the front, through the keel trunk. That made water accumulate in the back when it was on the trailer. Anyway, a friend gave me an old broken fiberglass mast. I cut a 8.5" section at a point where it was about 2" in diameter, cut the holes and epoxied it in.

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/cutting-drain-hole.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/drain-back.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/drain-inside.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/drain-front.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/epoxy.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/Newport17/mast-support-new1.jpg)


Yeah, it sill need clean up. I want to give it plenty of time to cure before I grind/sand the excess away.

Title: Re: Added a cockpit drain
Post by: AdriftAtSea on August 02, 2008, 08:43:16 AM
Don't forget to paint or gelcoat it.  Epoxy doesn't do well with UV exposure.
Title: Re: Added a cockpit drain
Post by: CharlieJ on August 02, 2008, 10:23:04 AM
Also I'd advise you to sand it soon. Epoxy gets harder and harder as it cures- best to at least get the rough sanding done before it turns to steel. The final sanding can wait a bit- it's usually just a finish job anyway, but get rid of any lumps and drips and roughly smooth the area asap.

Advice from a professional wood/epoxy boatbuilder ;D
Title: Re: Added a cockpit drain
Post by: OptiMystic on August 02, 2008, 10:50:30 AM
Yeah, I plan to grind/sand today to get the bulk and then either add another smoothing coat or just paint if I get it smoothed out where I am happy with it. I think I erred on the side of caution where there were gaps and went a little heavy with the glass and pox. I am not very worried about it someing loose or leaking though.  ;D
Title: Re: Added a cockpit drain
Post by: OptiMystic on August 02, 2008, 11:56:53 AM
Most of the bulk is gone now and I had to add alittle more right at the floor to tube join; I went a little too deep trying to ensure it was the low point.