Installing floor drains

[frozenokie]

I'm currently doing stringer/foam/fiberglass work on my 79 Laser bass boat. I plan to install a floor drain or two in the floor to drain any rainwater directly to the proper drain channel(s) under the new floor and I was also thinking of using a rubberized spray to coat the floor ply for waterproofing - Any suggestions? What is the best way to channel the water from the underside of the drain(s) to the drain channels? The floor drain is large - about 5" square and 1/4" thick aluminum. I was thinking of using PVC pipe epoxied to the underside of the drain and cut to the right length. But how do I actually engineer the installation properly to avoid leaks and soaking the new foam? Or, is there a better solution other than using the floor drain(s) to allow rainwater (or any water) to drain without soaking my new floor deck? Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[oops!]

Re: Installing floor drains

hey frozen...welcome to i boats...

sorry it took so long to get back to you on this post...was workin on the proj....


ok ...first...just about any question you ever wanted to ask has been covered on this forum...just hit search...

im not sure where your talking about...are you talking floor drains more to ward the sides of the boat...or right in the center of the floor....kinda like a shower drain?

however....your doin foam stringers floor right?..when you get the floor up...it will be self evident (sp?)

when you get the new stringers glassed in ....

glass em real good and use lots of waxed resin as a flo coat over top of the work and thru the bilge channel. the bilge channel has no foam in it. this will protect your work for years to come.....that bilge channel is about two feet wide...so theres lots of room for drainage......just make sure the water can flo thru to the bilge and be pumped or drained....

put the floor drain up front in the center and if you want one towards aft(where the water skiers stand to drain)...dont worry bout the hose attached to it....just glass the sides of the ply floor where you cut the wood..(seal the edge of the hole)....you dont want water working its way into the wood.
that big of hole will allow air to get in to the bilge channel and dry everything out.

i wouldnt do a hole more toward the sides.....in the foamed areas...as your inviting trouble......if you do a hole in the foamed areas....ie ice chest...livewell.....use a plastic liner seperating the foam from water contact and then use the drain hose idea...

after you get the floor out....then make your plan....a proper planned project...will save you time..

do a search on a project called skanky beast.its really well laid out and you can see exactally what you need to see.

i hope this helps..

cheers
oops

 

[frozenokie]

Re: Installing floor drains

Thanks Oops!

My idea was to go thru the center and not the sides. One in back and probably one in front. On hose (from drain) - are you talking about flexible rubber sewer hose like the ones used flush out a potty on a fifth wheel type camping trailer? I think that sounds like it would easy to work with and would be big enough diameter.

Thanks on the search info. I'll check it out

 

[Bondo]

Re: Installing floor drains

Ayuh,.....

There's really no need to pipe the drain to the back of the boat,.....
Just give it a channel, or path to flow through....

 

[oops!]

Re: Installing floor drains

actually ..as bond-o said .....if your doing center floor drains......forget the hose....

it will actually stop the air from circulating in the bilge area under the floor..
you really want that area ventelated....

store the boat with the bow high and put a cover over it...youll be fine.

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Installing floor drains

i wouldnt do a hole more toward the sides.....in the foamed areas...as your inviting trouble......if you do a hole in the foamed areas....ie ice chest...livewell.....use a plastic liner seperating the foam from water contact and then use the drain hose idea...

if you are using a side mounted ice chest or live well...i would use a good rubber garden hose attachd to the bottom of the liner of the chest or well...
and run it thru the foam to the closest point that you could drain it into the bilge.....
this idea is a potential hazzard in the winter...if you can...stay away from anything that might get water in the foam

you cannot allow any water to get near the foam..or youll be doing this proj again in 2 years

cheers
oops

 

[frozenokie]

Re: Installing floor drains

Hey - Thanks for all the ideas and advice. I'll be critical in what I do.

Thanks again fellas!!