Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

[OCboat]

Just a few weeks ago I discovered a small stainless steel screw at the very bottom of my transom was a drain plug for the entire area underneath the deck of my 14' fiberglass runabout. After I removed the screw, I got about 30 gallons of water to drain out. I am attaching pictures of my transom so you can get an idea of the location and size. I have a regular brass sleeved drain on the right side of the picture that is above the deck but the small hole in the very bottom middle is below the deck. What should I replace this with that will be a better solution than just a screw with a little sealant around it? I don't have access to the inside of the transom to put a plug like the one above the deck. Is there a good plug that mounts from the outside? Thanks for the help.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

I wonder if that was an inpropmtu drain plug after water was discovered in an area that doesn't come out of the drain. Depending on how much room is around that area you could possibly drill it larger and put a regular garboard plug in. You would need the bottom of this hole to be the bottom of the garboard plug.

 

[OCboat]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

That's a pretty good guess. The previous owner probably heard water sloshing around and drilled the hole and then sealed it with the screw. I do have about an inch above that hole that would still be below the deck but the middle stringer is almost touching the transom on the inside of that hole. I'll look into a garboard plug to see if I think it might work. Luckily I don't have any foam in the boat and there is no rot that I have detected. Thanks.

 

[OCboat]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

I think the flange of the garboard assembly would fall below the bottom of the boat. Could I just seal the old screw with 4200 and remove it at the end of the season and then reseal it next year? Is there a smaller garboard drain that I haven't found? Thanks.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

I think the flange of the garboard assembly would fall below the bottom of the boat. Could I just seal the old screw with 4200 and remove it at the end of the season and then reseal it next year? Is there a smaller garboard drain that I haven't found? Thanks.

Can you get to the inside?....you need access to both sides to install the drain tube.

And yes they make the drains in several different sizes. 1/2" is the smallest I've seen.

 

[OCboat]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

I can't get to the inside unless I cut a hole in the deck (which is glassed to the transom and stringer) plus the end of the middle stringer is at most 1/2" on the other side of the hole.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

Soooo. your boat does NOT have a bilge area???

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

I think the flange of the garboard assembly would fall below the bottom of the boat. Could I just seal the old screw with 4200 and remove it at the end of the season and then reseal it next year? Is there a smaller garboard drain that I haven't found? Thanks.

So just grind off the part of the flange that doesn't fit, use only two fasteners and some 5200.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

http://www.iboats.com/Perko-Garboar...05078661--**********.733535191--view_id.21910

You can install a plug like this from the outside only, just be sure to seal it well with 3M 5200.

I've seen a few with no acess, bad desisn in my book.

 

[OCboat]

Re: Transom Drain Advice Needed - Pics Included

Correct, no bilge, 1965 Seaswirl P-14. You're right, it is not a good design but it has lasted 45 years with no rot thanks to to it not having any foam. I think I can make that drain work but I will keep looking for a smaller one. Thanks everybody.