Why is the drain so small

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
Post Reply
User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8311
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Why is the drain so small

Post by Russ »

My wife asked me, "Why is the galley drain so small. If we put anything large it will plug up."
Anyone put big stuff down that tiny drain. Is there a way to make it larger?
User avatar
Phil M
Captain
Posts: 807
Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:29 am
Sailboat: Other
Location: 44' Jeanneau, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by Phil M »

:(
Not only is the drain small, but on my sailboat the drain opening looked like it had been made with a dull drillbit, and there was no drain plug supplied with it either.
Phil
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by James V »

The only thing that I can think of is the space is to small to put everything in. My boat came with a small rubber plug for the drain. A 2 1/2 gal bucket with a 10 foot rope is better for rinsing off. Long thread on the drains. As far as I know nobody has made the drain larger. The hose would only clog anyway as it is 6 feet below throughhull. You can clean and flush easily enough.

Some threads to read on this.

http://www.macgregor26x.com/forum/viewt ... ilit=drain

http://www.macgregor26x.com/forum/viewt ... ilit=drain
User avatar
kmclemore
Site Admin
Posts: 6256
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by kmclemore »

We use a universal flat stopper, like this:

Image

Available at nearly any household goods, kitchen goods or hardware store. Works fine.

Big stuff gets rinsed off in a bucket... the sink is too small to really clean any truly filthy stuff.
User avatar
Québec 1
Admiral
Posts: 1447
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Honda BF 50 - MACM0047E303 Lévis, Québec Canada

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by Québec 1 »

kmclemore wrote:We use a universal flat stopper, like this:
Available at nearly any household goods, kitchen goods or hardware store Works fine.
Big stuff gets rinsed off in a bucket... the sink is too small to really clean any truly filthy stuff.
Thats the one I have been looking for allright. Tried nearly all the household goods, kitchen goods or hardware stores in the area and they did not carry it. Will continue looking until I find one
Q1
User avatar
Hamin' X
Site Admin
Posts: 3464
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hermiston, OR-----------2001 26X DF-50 Suz---------------(Now Sold)
Contact:

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by Hamin' X »

Same style of stopper that I use to plug the old bath tub that I use as a horse watering trough. Found it in the housewares section of my local Safeway grocery store. You might try Walmart.

Rich---Hamin' X---N7ZH
User avatar
kmclemore
Site Admin
Posts: 6256
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by kmclemore »

Québec 1 wrote:Thats the one I have been looking for allright. Tried nearly all the household goods, kitchen goods or hardware stores in the area and they did not carry it. Will continue looking until I find one
Q1
Available for only $2.49 here: Flat Sink Stopper
User avatar
pokerrick1
Admiral
Posts: 2269
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:20 pm
Sailboat: Venture 23
Location: Las Vegas, NV (Henderson, near Lake Mead)

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by pokerrick1 »

$2.49 :?: :?: :?: Must cost at least 3 cents to make :!: :!:

Rick :) :macm:
User avatar
Love MACs
Captain
Posts: 587
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:56 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Eddyville, KY; 2002 X, 50hp Merc-4 stroke: Dream Chaser
Contact:

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by Love MACs »

Yeah, but then there's the shipping fee, stocking fee, packaging and somebodies nephew to add to the payroll... :( It all adds up :| :o :)



Allan
User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8311
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by Russ »

Another question about the drain.

Mine has a dip like a a U trap. This has frozen up in the winter. Why did Roger put this there? Is there a purpose or would I be wise to change this and reverse it's orientation so water doesn't build up in there.

The cockpit drain seems so vulnerable to plugging up. What's up with these tiny openings?
User avatar
parrothead
First Officer
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:25 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Former vessel: '05 M "Blue Heaven" - Nissan 50 TLDI --- Now owner of a Gemini 3400

Re: Why is the drain so small

Post by parrothead »

Russ,

I have eliminated the U trap shape in the drain line inside the galley by cutting it and installing a 90 degree PVC elbow just under the sink. That directs the drain line to the back side of the galley, where is curves down and aft to the factory hole where it exits the galley. Entering the galley through that same hole are the water supply line for the sink faucet and the power line for the sink water pump.

That said, my annual "winterization" process for Blue Heaven always includes pouring some marine/RV antifreeze [the pink "enviromentally friendly" stuff] down the sink until it comes out of the transom drain. There is so little slope to the hose, that even without the U trap shape under the sink I believe there will always be some water present in the line somewhere that could freeze up... probably under the aft berth. I also pour some antifreeze into the drain holes for the outboard well and the anchor locker, just to be sure.

Doug
Post Reply