Cockpit Drains

[Sea Leggs]

On my RT 29 S the cockpit drains in the floor gutters do not seem to drain out through the transom. I took off the hose connected to the drain and ran some water via a hose into it and it backed up immediately by coming out of the adjacent drain.

How do the transom openings work? Are they flaps that are supposed to flip open? Water seems to just drip slowly out of them.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi Sea Leggs,

The cockpit scupper drains run aft to the drains you see at the transom. If there is little flow, I would check to make sure there is no debris in the lines. Perhaps use something similar to a snake to clear them out and follow that up with a bit of high-pressure water spray. That should help get things cleared up.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[rpmerrill]

When I wash the boat I would frequently use a wood plug in one drain hole and use the hose nozzle in the other hole to blast out the drain lines. Then move the plug and do it again.

The drain flaps get old and stiff and just don't open up to give full flow. I finally removed them. (held in place with a small screw)

 

[knotflying]

Get a paper clip and bend it open and create a small "L" at the end. I was able to get my hand between the stern and swim step. Insert "L" end in and flip behind the rubber flap and then pull it out. And accumulated crap should come out. If it is severely blocked have someone apply water pressure as you hold it open. Once cleared a regular flush of water keeps them clean. I am not sure if I would remove the flaps. They are there to prevent water from coming in especially if going in reverse. In the unlikely occurrence of the hose disconnecting from the connection at the outlet you could get a floodded engine compartment.

 

[Sea Leggs]

Thanks Everyone. I was able to unclog the drains using a combination of your different methods.