Dimples in the cabin top

[anaisdog]

I don't know what they are called but i have 4 (2 each on each side) of these drainage troughs (?) on the outside of my 1986, catalina 34.  they are about one inch deep, by 1 inch wide by about 2 inches long with a hole in them by the stanchions.  these things are always full of tree waste and water is pooling on the cabin top.  I'd like to figure out some way of blocking these off so the water doesn't pool and perhaps cause a leak.  Does anyone else have these and what did you do about them?  i was thinking of running old running rigging between the stanchions, to block these off.  other ideas?

thanks in advance

becki kain
hull 99 detroit

[Stu Jackson]

Not sure why you'd want to close the main deck drains, which is what they are.  The little hole from the "dimples" through the gunwale have, in very, very few cases, been reported to leak.  The "cure" is to simply slather some epoxy on the inside of the holes.  Another idea that a C42 skipper had was to stuff some clear hose into the holes so that the hose stuck out just enough to avoid the dirty water draining down the hull to avoid dark streaks.  I have found no need to do this in 16 years, 'cuz I simply clean the "dimples" with FSR every once in a while.  If tree stuff gets in yours, consider getting some simple screen material from ACE Hardware and get inventive in covering the four of them.

[lazybone]

When mine clog the deck puddles badly.
Why would anyone purposely make this a permanent condition?

[Ralph Masters]

The clear plastic tubing stuck into these helps a bunch.  About 3 inches long is all you need to keep the black streak off the side of the boat.  I think Ron is the one who told me about that idea.

Ralph

[anaisdog]

FSR?  and where am I putting the clear tubbing?  thanks

[Stu Jackson]

Fiberglas Stain Remover --  check any online chandlery for it.  It's one of the three or four cleaning materials you should consider a "must have" on your boat.

You stick the small tubing INTO the hole so a few inches stick outside the boat and it is flush with the inside of the hole.  The outside diameter of the tubing is the same size as the hole.

[anaisdog]

I guess i'll need to take a picture to explain this.  tons of tree stuff gets stuck in this drain and backs up, pooling on the stanchions.  i want to fix that issue.

[lazybone]

Trees are nice.
If you want to keep your drains clear, don't park near them.

[anaisdog]

? that is where my well is. 

[Andrew Harvey]

Maybe it should just be a regular maintenance item to clear the drains every time you get to your slip.

[lazybone]

I suppose you could cut out those sections of the toerail flush with the deck?  That's done on other boats.
You had better have some good glass and gellcoat  skills.

[Ken Krawford]

I had the same problems with debris clogging the drains in the toe rail.  I simply used a drill bit and enlarged the holes so that everything would drain through without clogging.  I sealed the cut surface with epoxy.

[anaisdog]

do you have a picture of the enlarged holes with the epoxy?  thanks!

[Ken Krawford]

Sorry, I sold the boat 9 yrs ago. 

do you have a picture of the enlarged holes with the epoxy?  thanks!

[lazybone]

I had the same problems with debris clogging the drains in the toe rail.  I simply used a drill bit and enlarged the holes so that everything would drain through without clogging.  I sealed the cut surface with epoxy.

How large of a hole did you drill?