Hey everyone. First real post here. My girlfriend and I just spent the past 10 months fixing up a '96 mkii, replacing almost every system in the boat. We are planning to sail down to galapagos and beyond (we're building in Moss Landing CA), so we want to address all possible issues now!
As we get close to being done, I'm left with the tasks that are most irritable. As many of you know, the anchor locker drain that goes out through a starboard thru-hull can cause grief. After checking mine, the multi-flex hosing is stiff as all hell, but there are no holes yet. However, I want to fix this before it becomes a problem.
Furthermore, we have decided to bring 300' of chain for a variety of well thought out reasons. I am worried about this weight in the bow, so after some inspiration from a dock neighbor with decades of cruising experience, I have thought of a solution to both issues. I would love to hear if anyone has tried anything similar or can forsee any issues I can't. Here's the idea.
I want to cut a hole in the bottom of the anchor locker as well as in the bulkhead that separates the vberth storage area from the bow (making sure to cut underneath the water tank) . I will connect a large plastic tube between the two holes, running along the inside of the leading edge of the bow. This will let me store my anchor chain (or at least a fraction while in shallow seas) below the vberth instead of in the anchor locker. Here is a link to someone who managed to do this where gravity even pulled the chain in (with diagrams of my idea!) https://www.cruisingworld.com/improve-your-anchor-chain-locker/
I want to plug the thru-hull in the hull, and cut out a large (2") hole where the anchor locker thru-hull is. This means my anchor locker will drain into the bilge. I realize I will lose the functionality of an anchor locker drain, however, I'd rather occasionally test my automatic bilge pump than risk having all of the issues with the ocean pouring into my bow that others have reported with the factory setup.
One issue I was hoping to crowdsource is what to do with the hole in my boat after this modification... Should I simply put a stainless steel thru-hull and somehow plug the interior end? I could do fiberglass work to patch it up, but I like the idea of keeping the overboard thru-hull in case this modification ends up having some unforseen issues and I want to revert the setup.
Finally, thanks to all of the people that have shared their knowledge on this forum. We've been using your experiences to build ourselves our dream home and we feel very safe having learned so many lessons from experienced cat 36 owners. Thanks to everyone on this forum!!
JP
JP,
Congratulations on your boat and extended cruising plans. The Catalina 36 is a capable boat and well proven design. I support your concern about weight in the bow area. We work very hard to keep weight, centered, low, and secured.
This is only my opinion so take it as such.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to change the current anchor locker arrangement. There have been leaks in the anchor locker drain line that allowed deck wash to drain into the bilge through the anchor locker. This is due to poor maintenance, not a design flaw. Your boat is 20+ years old and the hose has lost elasticity. Change it, change and re-bed the bottom drain, install a new thru hull drain be happy for the next 20+ years.
I don’t support the logic of worrying about a 1” drain line failure that could allow the anchor locker to drain to the bilge and fix it by drilling a larger hole in the bottom of the anchor locker directing water to the bilge.
A couple other things to consider:
Ray
Ray & Janice Taylor
"Mizu"
Hood River, Ore.
#2113 2002 TM
I like Ray's input. I would just add, consider a using stainless thru hull fitting to eliminate worries of UV degrading it.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B