Anchor locker drain leaks into the v-birth

[sailinggreg]

Hi All,

On my 1980 30' Ericson+, the anchor locker drain leaks into the v-birth.

See pictures attached. Previous owner slopped some caulking around the bottom of the fitting, underneath the anchor locker. After cutting away the caulking, it appears that the fitting is okay. It appears that, maybe, there is meant to be a soft gasket underneath the fitting at the bottom of the anchor locker. You can see there's an indentation where a gasket might go. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, the tubing from underneath the anchor locker makes a big u shaped curve before going into the tiny metal pipe to drain out the front of the bow. I don't see any reason for the big curve in the tubing, so I'm thinking of replacing it with a shorter piece of tubing that will give a straight shot to the small metal pipe. I should say, the drain out the front of the bow is only about 15" above the water line. Could that be a reason for the big curve in the tubing?

Thanks!

 

[peaman]

Agree that the fitting probably had a soft gasket between fitting and anchor locker pan. There probably was also a nut below the pan for securing the fitting to the pan without gobs of sealant.

Also, agree that the big u shaped loop serves no real purpose: cut the tube to your convenience. Green water coming up through the drain tube is no big deal, and a loop like shown in the pictures might dampen the inflow, but will not over all make much difference. The next rain or wash will rinse away much of any salt introduced by seawater entering the drain tube.

 

[Loren Beach]

The similar drain tube on our boat has a bit of a curve (i.e. some slack) in it, but nothing like the example in the picture. I wonder if that was done by a prior owner ?

 

[Christian Williams]

a reason for the big curve in the tubing?

If the drain hose can only be accessed by removing the anchor pan, a long hose is required for reassembly. You need to be able to reach down and connect the hose to the stem pipe, and still have enough hose length to connect it to the pan.

Varies by model no doubt. If there's access to the hose with the pan in place, the shorter the hose the better.

Various replacement hose fittings would fit the molded drepression in the pan, if it comes to that.

(Many leaks are where the hose connects to the bow. Ericson often used a copper tube to pierce the stem, and they corrode away. Detached hose there fills the bilge with sea water in a seaway , but not in flat water-- making diagnosis of why you are sometimes sinking, and sometimes not, kinda puzzling.

Hose access is often bad, requiring removal of the anchor pan. If necessary there are guiding threads.

 

[Frank Langer]

Shortening the drain hose is no problem, as any water coming up through the hose will quickly drain out.
Caulking the drain fitting is easy.
You may find that you still get water into the V-berth, in which case it will be necessary to remove the anchor locker (about 20 screws and caulking) to lift the anchor locker out and rebed it to seal it. That took me an afternoon if work about 10 years ago, and it's still fine. Patience is important, working with a one inch flat scraper under the lip once the screws are out, to cut through the caulking.
Frank

 

[sailinggreg]

Thanks for the replies.

The nut below the anchor locker, to secure the fitting, came off after cutting away the caulking. Just didn't get included in the picture. Fortunately, both the fitting and nut appear okay as I think they would be difficult to find a replacement.

The leak is pretty certainly from water coming around the fitting. I've held a hose just over the drain in the anchor locker to confirm. I thought about putting caulking underneath the fitting but figured then if I still have a leak it'll be difficult to ever remove it.

I'm trying to decide if I want a gasket that fills up most of the indentation in the anchor locker or one that just fits the diameter of the top ("head") of the fitting. It probably doesn't matter. Any thoughts?

Fyi, we had to cut out the wood veneer at the very front of the v-birth to gain access. Didn't know what was leaking.

The leak isn't from the lip of the anchor locker or from where the tube connects to the metal pipe.

Thanks.

 

[Loren Beach]

I'm trying to decide if I want a gasket that fills up most of the indentation in the anchor locker or one that just fits the diameter of the top ("head") of the fitting. It probably doesn't matter. Any thoughts?

Our anchor locker floor has the same-appearing recess for the little "thru hull" type fitting in it. Never a leak from there. I would just re-bed that fitting, and replace the hose and clips.