mid-ship storage box

aldo · #1 10-26-2009, 08:53 AM

The mid-ship storage box drain on my 23 has a drain in the rear but always collects water in the front. I'm thinking of drilling a 1" hole and installing a brass flange for drainage.
Has anyone tried this?
How much clearance is there between the bottom of the box and the keel? Or is the box fiber glassed to the keel? Any other things I should be concerned about by doing this? Thanks.

htillman · #2 10-26-2009, 09:41 AM

Center console or Sceptre?

aldo · #3 10-26-2009, 11:34 AM

Center Console, inboard.

MasterBaiter · #4 10-26-2009, 12:42 PM

Glad you brought this up - so does mine. Not much water but some.
Why would you put a flange in it after drilling it? Does the rear have one? Mine just drains into the bilge. This doesn't seem correct to me, but there are no marks around the hole to show me otherwise.

aldo · #5 10-26-2009, 02:58 PM

Mine also drains rear into the bilge- just a hole in the fiber glass and some water always remains in the front. I thought about drilling a hole in the front and putting in a flange to prevent any water from seeping into the glass. It's easy enough to life caulk it in place with the flare on top. (not enough access to flare both sides) The big question is how much space is there between the bottom of the front of that box and the hull?
It would be nice to have that water drain off.

MasterBaiter · #6 10-26-2009, 03:07 PM

Oh now I understand the reason for the flange. I thought you wanted to run a hose to a pump or something. The only problem I see with a flange is that it would raise the edge of the hole pretty much defeating the reason for the hole. If you are going to drill and are concerned with absorption maybe paint the exposed glass.

I figure this winter I would build a wooden slat type bottom for the compartment. Enough to keep anything out of the water and ventilated so it might dry.

stumpie2 · #7 10-26-2009, 08:08 PM

i used the flared drain hole sleeves attached to hose for the floor drains. the same brass sleeves that are commonly used for the drain hole in the transom.

aldo · #8 10-26-2009, 09:35 PM

Hey Tucker, you will still have a "green house" effect with the slats. (Moisture building on the bottom of the hatch). And yes, I am talking about the brass tubes usually used in the transom. The flare can be recessed easily.
The key question is still how much space is there between the front of the box and the hull? Anyone know?

MasterBaiter · #9 10-27-2009, 09:25 AM

From the schematic on the site it appears to be the same distance from the keel front to back of the box. Now the question is; Do you believe the drawing?

I've never looked, but can you use a mirror to look under the batteries from the engine compartment? Leave the lid open to let light in through the drain hole.

I'm going to shoot you a PM.

aldo · #10 10-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the idea. I used my camera to shoot a photo forward. Even at the rear the box sits right on the keel. PS - don't trust the drawing! I guess that is why the rear drain is offset to one side.
With that in mind I don't think I'm drilling unless I hear from someone who has taken the inner liner out and knows what is up there.

sent you a pm on your T-top question.