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I have a Macgregor 26S that has two scuppers, one for the sink and one to drain the cockpit. While they are just above the waterline, it occurred to me that if one of the inside hoses broke, in rough weather you could take on water. This was of particular concern to me in the rear storage area. Therefore, I bought a cork to act as a hammer in bung if needed. I also got some of this "use anywhere" mending tape which is waterproof. Anyone else concerned about htis situation?

I don't know the 26s but the sink thru hull is above the waterline?

Our old Venture had the sink drain below the water line.

We changed to have a plastic tank in our sliding galley under the sink so
last spring I took the thru hull fitting out and glassed it over.
We no longer have any holes below the waterline.

Having a plugs and hammer available certainly can't hurt.

Excellent idea to have plugs at the ready.

Also, you should inspect hoses and clamps on the fittings.
Does the S have any fittings for the centerboard cable? If so that might be another place to inspect and have a plan if it fails.

RussMT wrote:Excellent idea to have plugs at the ready.

Also, you should inspect hoses and clamps on the fittings.
Does the S have any fittings for the centerboard cable? If so that might be another place to inspect and have a plan if it fails.

There is a fiberglass tube glassed into the hull that the cable runs up inside of and the top is slightly above the water line normally. There is a clear hose clamped to the top of it that goes further up to just below the counter where the line does a 90 degree turn. Since our boat sits lower in the water the water is right at the clear hose so I have 2 clamps on it instead of just one like the boat came with.

I also made the vent for the ballast tank higher,

Sumner

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If it's a real worry, then drill out the factory 'through-hull' and install a real one, with a ball valve. If the hose is questionable, it should be replaced with a good hose anyway. With two hose clamps on each end.

I actually had a hose come apart on an Aquarius I used to have, which served the cockpit drain. It was a cheap-o white plastic corrugated hose that developed a small tear (too thin to call it a crack ). The through-hull was above the water line, but not by much, and wave action was letting a little water in. If I hadn't noticed the water collecting below decks when I did, the through-hull would have been below the water line, and the boat would have ended up on the bottom. Obviously, I changed out the hose for a good quality hose. That mini plastic dryer vent hose was a disaster waiting to happen, until it got tired of waiting.

Oh, and rubber or wooden plugs are a good thing to have on hand in an emergency.

They are not below the water line. If you are concered you could do this that will keep them from taking on water while you are underway.

The cockpit drain is an issue with heavy rain as well. I knocked mine off stowing a fuel tank (I wedge it under the drain hose to secure it). We had two days of heavy rain fall and when I returned to the boat the carpet was floating. Instead of a nice sail I spent two hours hand pumping. Luckily the ballast tank was well secured or it may have required a few more hours of labor as its vent plug was about 2 cm under water. We live and learn.....

Tom, I just gotta know... you've been a member of our forum since 2011 and yet this is your *first* post??? I know some folks are a little quiet, but wow.... !



Great to have your input!

Let me revise my post...

My concern is not in calm weather. While both scuppers are above the water line, consider the rear scupper for the cockpit drain. If the hose gets knocked in bad weather and water enters the rear storage area, well - I will leave it to your imagination. That is, if it filled with water, what would be the result?

If it was an it would still float.

jhastie wrote:Let me revise my post...

My concern is not in calm weather. While both scuppers are above the water line, consider the rear scupper for the cockpit drain. If the hose gets knocked in bad weather and water enters the rear storage area, well - I will leave it to your imagination. That is, if it filled with water, what would be the result?

You would be sitting waist deep in water on a floundering boat.

I dont know if a PO modified things or if this is stock but on my 1990 26S, the Laz area is water sealed from the cabin area by the rear bulkhead.

I know this because a bunch of years ago I had done a road trip and afterwards pulled a bunch of stuff out of the Laz and in the process knocked off the hose from the cockpit drain. I parked the boat and came back about a week later and found the back of the boat on the ground with the trailer toungue sticking up.

All the rain that fell that week in the cockpit ended up in the Laz area and I cant remember exact details but it was at least several feed deep. However, the boat cabin stayed completely dry.

Walt, it's like that on my S as well, so not something the PO did, although that bulkhead isn't very thick, and i wouldnt trust it for long periods.