Pearson 35 cockpit drains

[Dave A]

This is my 2nd P-35 and up until now I really never thought about this potential problem. The cockpit drains, the large 2" ones, exit below the water line and if you take off the connecting hoses the water is probably an inch below the top of the fiberglass tube, with the boat healed it would come in at a good rate. I had one leaking at the fitting last summer, when I replaced the hose the water was right there. Has anyone out there thought about putting valves on these.

[Joseph Hardin]

No, hadn't thought of that, but I'm on my way up north to work on the p35 and wil look at the hoses; see if they are good. Spooky thought of one breaking loose.

[Dave A]

It's one of those things that you don't give much thought to untill something happens. I just happened to be down in the "engine room/cockpit locker" changing the fuel filter and noticed that water had been leaking at the hose/pipe junction. When I felt the hose it was hard as a rock, probably hadn't been changed in a long time, I had just bought the boat that spring so I don't know how old they were. They will only leak if you are heeled or if the boat is well loaded. I have replaced both hoses with heavy duty radiator hose I got from a NAPA auto parts store. But there is no shut off if something happens. Something else to think about, I have plenty of projects already. If you come up with a suggestion on an improvement in this area pass it on.

[Joseph Hardin]

First mate says this is a must-do. She's the one in the engine compartment most of the time, and she's already noticed that they seem hard, and shrunken a bit. Radiator hose sounds like a good solution. Added to the (growing) list.

Joseph & Susan
Mujo III

[johnslot]

Originally Posted by Dave A

This is my 2nd P-35 and up until now I really never thought about this potential problem. The cockpit drains, the large 2" ones, exit below the water line and if you take off the connecting hoses the water is probably an inch below the top of the fiberglass tube, with the boat healed it would come in at a good rate. I had one leaking at the fitting last summer, when I replaced the hose the water was right there. Has anyone out there thought about putting valves on these.

Hi there, ALWAYS have valves on an underwater exit, even when 0.5"only. Even when the exits are slightly above the waterline consider valves.

Brgs John Slot / Tilikum P365

[MoontideC30]

I see cockpit drains as one of the "BIG" problems of most production boats. They are always too small and not designed well. Think about it. If you take a wave over the stern, where is all of that water going to go and how fast will it go there. In my boat (1965 Cal 30) there is even a convenient 12" x 14" door at the rear of the cockpit which would funnel all of the water below. Cock pit drains should be at least 3" in dia and dump above the waterline with a check valve to keep the water from coming back in. There should be at least 2 of these or possibly 4. Self draining is the key word here. Will it or will it not?