last project for a dry bilge

[orientalnc2010]

A dry bilge is important to me. The last piece of the puzzle for a dry bilge in my boat, Pacific Seacraft Crealock 31, is the anchor locker that drains into the bilge. Water is eventually going to get in the bilge but I want to keep out what I can control.
I should describe the locker. The locker does not have access from the deck, only from a cabinet above the v-berth. The locker is divided port and starb following the centerline. There is a hawse pipe w/cover and a hause hole for the windlass in the deck.
I do not want to shorten the dept of the locker, I would need to do this to get the bottom above the water line and drill a hole for a direct drain.
There is a space aprox 10Dx12Wx14L adjacent to the anchor locker, lower that the bottom of the anchor locker, along the centerline, under the v-berth.
Thinking of making a sump system in this space to make care of the water?
Has anyone used this approach before? Any other ideas?

[arisatx]

Originally Posted by orientalnc2010

...
I do not want to shorten the dept of the locker, I would need to do this to get the bottom above the water line and drill a hole for a direct drain.
...

Steve:
Can you further describe the hole you are contemplating drilling as a "direct drain"? What I'm visualizing are the propane drain holes in the stern propane locker (at least on a C37). If that's accurate, I'm gonna guess you'll get as much ingress as egress as a result.

[orientalnc2010]

Hi Ted,
Your right, this is something that I don't want.
If I continue to let the anchor locker drain into the bilge I am also concerned about the sediment, mud, sand etc that will collect along the centerline of the boat on its way to the keel sump.
I do have a nice pressure washdown at the bow but I know you can't get it all.
What arrangement do you have on your V42?

[arisatx]

Steve:

It drains into the bilge - on our V42, same as was on our C37. I've seen where the hawse pipe opening is "semi-sealed" with silly-putty type material when going offshore to try to minimize green water getting down into the anchor locker. On larger boats I've seen the type of weep hole you describe.

[orientalnc2010]

Hi Ted,
Did you ever have problems with mud or sand building up in the bilge?
Is this something I should not worry about?

[arisatx]

Steve:
No, not really here at least in the Great Lakes. I don't have a lot of experience anchoring in muddy bottom composition, so perhaps others will chime in.