is 6" above the water line too low for an anchor locker drain?

[nuru05]

I am trying to reconfigure a screwy anchor locker design on my moody 425. right now it drains into the bilge and I wanted to put a drain outside for it. the only issue I can see is that if I pop it through at the lowest point of the locker it will only be about 6" above the water line (in freshwater). Is this too low?

[AKA-None]

So there is a direct connection between your locker and the bilge and you want to create a path from outside directly into your bilge?
Doesn’t sound healthy to me.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by nuru05

I am trying to reconfigure a screwy anchor locker design on my moody 425. right now it drains into the bilge and I wanted to put a drain outside for it. the only issue I can see is that if I pop it through at the lowest point of the locker it will only be about 6" above the water line (in freshwater). Is this too low?

No. You want a drain hole on port and starboard and a clamshell (facing aft) will help it drain even if temporarily immersed when heeling.

[nuru05]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

So there is a direct connection between your locker and the bilge and you want to create a path from outside directly into your bilge?
Doesn’t sound healthy to me.

Not exactly. The original design had a glassed in pipe that ran from the anchor locker to the central bilge. The previous owner removed this pipe and glassed over it. They then cut a bigger hole higher up the anchor locker to route the chain through under the V birth. The problem with this is that the Vbirth isn't sloped enough and it piles up and plugs the entrance within about 10 feet. So my plan was to cover over that hole and route the water outside

[Bobby Lex]

The anchor locker drain on my Caliber 40 runs down to a thru-hull that is right at my waterline. This is as originally designed and built at the factory. The floor of my anchor locker sits about 2 feet above the water line. I’ve had no problems with it.

As long as your anchor locker is above the waterline, I wouldn’t think there would be any problem with the drain thru-hull being at or below the waterline. Isn’t that the way your cockpit scuppers drain?

Bob

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by nuru05

I am trying to reconfigure a screwy anchor locker design on my moody 425. right now it drains into the bilge and I wanted to put a drain outside for it. the only issue I can see is that if I pop it through at the lowest point of the locker it will only be about 6" above the water line (in freshwater). Is this too low?

It must be a british design feature - my Westerly was the same.
Reglassed bottom of locker so that it no longer drained internally and the hole it now drains through is about 6 inches or so above water. Little clamshell thingo fitted to stop it from 'pumping ' water in when working to windward in a blow.
Seems to work good.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

It must be a british design feature - my Westerly was the same.

Reglassed bottom of locker so that it no longer drained internally and the hole it now drains through is about 6 inches or so above water. Little clamshell thingo fitted to stop it from 'pumping ' water in when working to windward in a blow.

Seems to work good.

It was more likely a “ time period “ feature. Lots of things originally drained into bilges including grey water

These days uncontrolled pumping of bilge water is highly frowned upon so the trend has been to either capture or discharge at the point of accumulation

My Bav anchor locker had the drain holes about 6 inches above the water line , each side with clamshells , since the locker is watertight , it doesn’t matter if some water enters

Try and ensure the drain hole is close to the locker base as otherwise you get standing water.

The alternative which I’ve seen is to install a diaphragm pump and input strainer