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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:04 pm    Post subject: Drain Plug Reply with quote

We own a restored 1994 CD-22. It's been a fantastic boat for us and perfect for the Chesapeake and St Lawrence.

We went out today and by the time we returned 3 hours later, there was the usual sump area filled with water -- not high enough to activate the bilge pumps, but high enough to run over the cockpit floor at anchor (it was getting rolly with a few swells my mid-afternoon).

I've purchased several of each type of drain plug (brass, steel, screw-in, flip type) but the hole itself is not smooth. In other words, it never seals well. Was there a brass tube insert originally? If not, is there a recommended way to improve the seal between the plug and the inner hole wall?
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There should have been a bronze tube or screw type of plug-again of bronze. Brass is more subject to. corrosion. The tube would have been flared at both ends from the factory. You probably cannot do that.

When you put either a new tube or a screw type of plug receiver from the outside, you want to cut back the core a little, and then fill all of that cut area with epoxy thickened with Cabosil and Medium density filler. That should be sanded round to be a good fit if a new tube is put in place, or if you just attatch an external garboard type of plug.

What size is the hole? Please take a photo from the outside. The hole should be smooth and coated with epoxy in any case. If there is no tube, then yes, the expandable plug may not fully seal. I prefer the type of plug which has a "T" handle, and you expand the plug by turning the "T" from the outside.

The lowest point in the boat when at rest is the forward end of the cockpit, When the boat is running, especially on a plane, the lowest point will usually be just in front of the transom. If the bilge pump is not coming on automatically, run it, to see how much water you can get out.

_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks! This is very helpful!

The hole is a notional 1” (ID varies due as it’s not perfectly smooth).

I don’t have a staging tool but perhaps a bronze tube flanged at on end can bet set in a bed of epoxy painted around the ID?
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3358
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put in a new drain plug because the factory one is too high and can't drain the whole sump.

Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/attwood-Bronze-Garboard-Drain-Plug/dp/B001GXCSR8?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I used a suitably sized plastic tube for the pass through of the transom with some epoxy and 5200 to make sure it is all sealed up.

I have a screw in drain plug. It is high quality plastic and will float if dropped in the water. The top is large enough that tools are not required to remove it. Don't remember where I got it and my boat is not handy to get the name of the product.
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That sounds like a reasonable setup. How did you fasten the fixture to the boat? (It comes with wood screws but those wouldn't provide much confidence...)
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3358
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
PostPosted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

daninPA wrote:
That sounds like a reasonable setup. How did you fasten the fixture to the boat? (It comes with wood screws but those wouldn't provide much confidence...)


The holes for the mounting screws were undercut and filled with epoxy, then the screws were put through the epoxy. There is not any real load on the plug mount so the screws are fine.
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ggray



Joined: 03 Jun 2020
Posts: 58
City/Region: SE Virginia
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Red Top
Photos: Red Top
PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 10:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I assume we are talking about the transom drain plug.

After the first year of owning our 22 Cruiser and storing her in the water, she is now on a lifter.

In anticipation of this, last winter I removed the bronze fitting from the transom, and replaced it with a bronze pipe coupling that I epoxyed in place. I had to grind off the two lugs on the sides of the coupling, and then it fit nicely.

Now I can screw in a plug from either inside or outside. On the lift, the plug can easily be removed from inside. Should I trailer somewhere I would probably plug from the outside
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, everyone for the excellent responses! I think I'll go with the screw-in type stainless steel plug (upper Chesapeake Bay is Fresh Water).
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I finally had time to do some end-of-season maintenance and I found the drain has the brass fitting in place but it looks like it was painted over during restoration. The ID is exactly 1", but the inside of the tube is dimpled enough to present a less-than-perfect seal.

I'm considering applying a coat of epoxy inside the tube, smoothing it out wet, sand if needed.

Thoughts?
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srbaum



Joined: 30 Aug 2010
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City/Region: Portsmouth
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

daninPA,
I have the tool to install a brass drain tube. The tool flairs each end. If you need it, I will gladly lend it to you.

_________________
Steve Baum
Homeport of Portsmouth, VA
OSPREY (Ex Mister Sea) 2000 22 C-Dory 2010 - Sold 3/19
OSPREY (Ex ADITI) 2007 26 Cape Cruiser 2018
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

srbaum wrote:
daninPA,
I have the tool to install a brass drain tube. The tool flairs each end. If you need it, I will gladly lend it to you.


Thanks for the offer!

I tried a different drain plug (Stainless steel) and was able to get that one to expand suitably. I'm going to sand the interior of the tube so it's smoother and less likely to permit water from seeping through.

The difference between "drain plugs" is significant -- brass have been largely unimpressive. SS seems to be the ticket!
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T.R. Bauer



Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 1726
City/Region: Wasilla
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Whisperer
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sometimes all they need is a little petroleum jelly. Sounds really dumb....but it often works.
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

T.R. Bauer wrote:
Sometimes all they need is a little petroleum jelly. Sounds really dumb....but it often works.


Nope -- makes perfect sense. Good idea, thanks!
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daninPA



Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2022 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update!

After doing a little cleanup/ sanding of the brass drain tube I reinstalled a Stainless Steel 1" drain plug -- I was able to get it snug tight, then fully tight with a turn or two. It held fast and nary a drop of water was in the well at the conclusion of 3 hours of water time cruising around the Upper Chesapeake Bay at various speeds (from drifting to 30 knots).

The problem before seems to have been the tube surface was so uneven that the plug seemed tight but would shift once it was in the water -- sometimes significantly, other times not at all permitting variable amounts of water to leak in. The leak was so minimal that even in the slip after a few days it rarely resulted in more water than would be held in the indented "well."

But it bothered me, so now it doesn't anymore.

Thanks, everyone for the excellent advice!!!
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