One of the local marina operators in my area
recommended installing a garboard drain in the low spot of the bilge. During
winter layup the plug would be removed and any water leaking into the bilge
would drain out.
He especially advised doing this on boats
with masts that are keel stepped because they tend to leak water into the bilge
during the winter layup, that is, if the masts are not removed.
I
think it is a good idea and was wondering if anyone had any pro's or con's
regarding this suggestion.
John Keefe
CT37 Odyssea Youngstown,
NY (Lake Ontario) November 2005
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John,
A
garboard drain plug is particularly desirable in a wooden boat; fresh water in
its bilges would otherwise promote/accelerate rot. (The term "garboard" refers to the
planks on either side of a wooden boat's keel.) Very few FRP boats, however,
have a (garboard) drain plug. Do you really want another hole in the bottom of
your boat? If you do install a plug, make sure it complies with ABYC standard
H-27: "If installed, drain plugs shall be installed in what is expected to
be the lowest portion of the bilge when the boat is in storage. Drain plugs
shall be accessible. The use of expandable type drain plugs shall be limited to
boats equipped with floatation in compliance with ABYC H-8, Buoyancy in the
Event of Swamping".
For
my money, you'd be better off spending the same time/effort keeping the water
out of your boat in the first place, e.g., tape over mast exit boxes for the
winter. The golden rule of boat maintenance is "Keep your bilges
dry." A drain plug is a short-term solution to standing bilge water. One
aspect of a drain plug that I do like is that they typically improve
ventilation of the bilges during winter lay-up.
Sue Canfield T37
Aeolus Annapolis, MD November 2005
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Sue,
Thanks very much for your comments. l do like the idea of a garboard drain in the
keel for two or three reasons.
First, for the ventilation afforded the bilge
during the winter lay-up and second, that it would drain any water in the bilge
that may come down the keel stepped wood mast, if the mast is left up during
the lay-up.
(The garboard drain is the
same kind as used on a wood boat. It's a bronze flange with a 1" flush
mounted bronze drain plug. It is glassed flush into the side of the keel at the
lowest point of the bilge. Once installed the only part that you see is the top
of the drain plug flush with the keel. )
The
third benefit is that it is easy to take a hose to clean and flush out the
bilge when hauled. Very helpful in removing things which may cause odors and
debris which could damage electric bilge pumps. I've got some time to think about it, now, but
the more I think of it.....I like it.
Regards, John Keefe November 2005
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Interesting that you bring up the question
of garboard drains today. I just earlier
today removed my bilge tank and was physically inside the bilge scrubbing the
accumulated goo and contemplating a garboard drain. I decided against it as the the root fillet
at the bottom of the bilge is about a 3-inch radius and that would necessitate
intalling a ferrule into the bilge at the very bottom and through the fillet so
the all the water would drain as if one drilled through from the top of the
fillet so that the drain hardware would align with flat surfaces on each side
of the keel wall, there would be significant water left and unable to
drain. I'll just continue to load the
bilge with a few gallons of antifreeze.
For what its worth, copper-nickel coins and
stainless nuts that get into the bilge and come in contact with the underside
of the aluminum tankage easily bores holes into aluminum better than a
machinist with a drill press. Why anyone would intall an aluminum tank in a
bilge that can get seawater into it is 'wonderous'. I also now understand what those who have
removed this tank are talking about when they say 'construction debris'.
Definitely there will be a screen 'coffer dam' on both ends when the rebuilt
tank gets installed.
Rich Hampel November 2005
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I'm going to take a closer look at that
turn in the bilge, Rich, as I have my tank out, too. It's not a priority but I
really like the idea of a garboard drain and I'm prepared to make
modifications, if necessary, to get it right. But that will come later as I
have enough things to do now. Also, I found a load of debris and junk in the
bilge when I removed my tank.
What type and gauge of stainless steel will
you use for your new tank? Is it for water or fuel? What capacity do you have
in mind if different from the OEM tank? I guessing you have a 100-gallon tank
now.
When you completely dry out your bilge,
double check the bottom of the bilge floor just in front of the holding tank
bulkhead and going forward a foot or so for any dampness migrating up from it.
Lay some chalk dust or similar on the area for a day or two and if it indicates
moisture is present, your holding tank may be leaking into the enclosed ballast
cavity. It probably isn't but while your spending time wandering about down in
there it's easy to check.
John Keefe November 2005
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