Cape Cutter 19 Association Forum

Cockpit Water Ingress

Hi Ian and all “crockers”,

Ian, to some extent you have stolen my thunder but I’m pleased to hear that your damming of the drain gutters has worked.

About a month ago someone arranged to come and look at my boat with a view to purchasing a Cape Cutter for sailing on the Norfolk Broads. Just prior to his visit he had seen another CC19 on the Broads and the owner had told him about water coming into the cockpit. Unfortunately the thought of this frightened his wife so much that they had, more or less, already decided to buy Norfolk Gypsy instead. The fact that this would deter someone from purchasing a CC19 and also, as no Essex Mariner would be found drowned wearing “Crocks” - so unfashionable – Doc Martin suede sea boots perhaps, spurred me into finding a cure.

I had already partly solved the problem with my plug in the outboard well (see inboard installation photos) but it needed to have two dinghy bailer type extractors fitted and a fully watertight seal to allow a lower water pressure and hence head, in the well to work. As this sealing arrangement was not likely to last long with the fouling etc. on the sponge rubber, I have been taking patterns to extend the raised moulded portion around the engine well to the back of the transom. These are the gaps where the water drains from the cockpit into the outboard well. Instead of fitting plugs in these inserts I intend to fit “check valves” that only allow the water to flow one way into the well.

I intend to make mouldings for these “check valve” inserts so if anyone is interested, let me know and I could mould off extra sets (port and starboard). They would only need to be inserted with a sealant around the outside faces. If you are sailing so fast ( it’s the stern wave that creates the problem) and healing so much that water goes over the top, the outboard well moulding rim could be raised with wooden battens around the three sides and on the top of the inserts (the inserts are being made flush to the top of the moulded rim).

I will try and post a drawing and later some photos when complete.

I hate the sight of “crocks”!!!

David Peck
CC94 Whistling Rufus

I am hoping I have attached a photo showing the simple chocks I used to seal off the engine well surround and the two little rubber bungs. A one way selective fitting would be a nice sophistication. But, coupled with the engine well insert flush with the hull, I have found that even in very choppy water conditions and motoring or sailing, the cockpit stays perfectly dry. I am chuffed about it I must say, because I just didn't like the idea of water sloshing about my feet. I too swore I'd never wear Crocks, but now I have some I don't sail without them. Come winter it's back to socks and boots of course - and some waders for going into the water to retrieve the boat!
Cheers,
Ian

Ian Allen wrote:I too swore I'd never wear Crocks, but now I have some I don't sail without them.

Indeed, never sail without them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR8mcjl_yTU

Good tip to install that chocks!

+1 for Crocs!

Water Ingress Implants!

Further to my recent post, see below a picture of the completed implants (made from the finest marine grade silicone mould material naturally – none of the French commercial grade rubbish).
They fit at the ends of the outboard well and have flap valves to allow water to flow into the well from the cockpit but not from the well when the boat heels.

Reprinted from the Essex Seaman’s Manual of Nautical Terms:

[U]“Crocs – Foot Colanders, often worn by posers on the South Coast of England. Banned on the Côte d’Azur on account of poor taste and bad fashion. Beware – dogs are known to attack wearers”[/U]

I have posted some other photos in the Albums.


Regards
David Peck
CC94 Whistling Rufus

A very elegant solution, David. Regarding Crocs, it's way too late and I am, alas, hopelessly and tastelessly addicted.
Cheers,
Ian

Hi Ian,

Sorry to hear about your sad addiction. However, do not despair, help is at hand.

I understand that there are courses for severe cases of the addiction. They are said to have a success rate even higher than 100% (for those that survive). The courses involve trekking through dense snake infested brambles and stinging nettles, wading calf deep through rivers overrun with piranhas and walking across fiery embers.

I believe the courses are sponsored by Dr Martens and the Salvation Army (or was it the S.A.S/S.B.S?)!!

The implant devices are still to be tested but if they fail, I will eat my sea boots!

Regards
David Peck
CC94 Whistling Rufus

[quote="David Peck"]Hi Ian,

... trekking through dense snake infested brambles and stinging nettles, wading calf deep through rivers overrun with piranhas and walking across fiery embers...

Hi David,
Yep, the absence of snakes, crocodiles (not to be confused with crocs for the feet), nasty spiders and stingers is the reason we live in New Zealand and not Australia! So my footwear survives another day.
Happy sailing,
Ian