23 Center Console Forward Fishbox Drain

[Chrismacholz]

I've got a 1987 23 CC and the big fishbox under the casting deck has a molded in drain on the starboard side, but it's useless because it sits under the waterline. I don't use it as a fishbox, but occasionally i'll get some rainwater in there and there's no way to drain it.

Has anyone remedied this? Cut a drain to the bilge?

[Yachtie]

That's what previous owner of our 23 did. He pretty much just drilled a hole in the recess of the factory drain so that any water makes its way to the bilge.

[uncleboo]

I had this problem. Found a 1-1/4" bronze overboard drain fitting, opened the hole then installed the drain. I was fortunate enough to still have a bit of the plywood backing in place such that I could tighten the nut on the fitting pretty well. Oh, I also shoved as much 5200 in there as I could. Had to buy a 1-1/2" expansion type drain plug and whittle it down to 1-1/4 with the bench grinder and took a metal shaping bit to grind the interior wall of the fitting smooth, since it was rough cast. Everything is holding well and the plug has not leaked any water in yet. I'll try to post a pic.

[uncleboo]

http://s833.photobucket.com/user/unc...tml?sort=3&o=6
http://s833.photobucket.com/user/unc...tml?sort=3&o=7

[uncleboo]

Can somebody tell me why I only get the link? ID10T problem?

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by uncleboo

Can somebody tell me why I only get the link? ID10T problem?

You need to use image code
[IMG] (link here) [IMG][/URL]

[Gurnet76]

I have a similar drain on my '76 MA. The through hull only drains when the boat is underway, and with any substantial weight near the bow, the box would fill(partially)with water. Channeling that water towards the bilge seems like the best idea.
I'm not looking to make any major changes to this part of my boat yet so I used a champagne cork(which fit perfectly)to plug the through hull, lined the recesses of the door with a rubber seal, and leave a sponge in the drain area to collect any rainwater that might makes its way in. This is obviously a temporary fix but the fishbox has been bone dry while the boat has been on a mooring for the past month.

[uncleboo]

Thanks, Frizz!

[Chrismacholz]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I think I'll start with replacing the rubber gasket on my lid and the sponge trick before I go drilling any holes.