Hole in the transom above the bilge drain

[CaptainPotter]

Hi everyone-
I have a 2005 Potter 15 and previously had owned a 1987 Potter 15. The new one has a hole above the grain plug for the bilge. This hole doesn't have a plug and sits below the water line so a fair amount of water gets in and is visible within the cabin. I experimented with duct tape and that kept out the water so I need a plug. Can anyone tell me what the name of the hole is and where I can buy a plug for it? If it matters, I believe this boat has the Blue Water layup...

Cheers,
Steve

[Dave K - SF Bay]

The hole above the drain plug is for the cockpit drain if I've understood your question correctly. A 2005 P-15 should have a drain hole/fitting in the cockpit sole that connects via hose to a fitting in the hole you have described. There should be an access port in the rear of the cockpit through which you can see/repair/replace these items. Water is not supposed to enter the boat through that hole. This is a different setup than the cockpit drain on your '87 - that boat had a short plastic tube that passed through the back of the cockpit directly through the transom.

[CaptainPotter]

Thanks DaveK, I do have the access port and I looked but only briefly. I will look again. I noticed the drain in the cockpit had held water, after I had drained the bilge so something is amiss. Your reply is much appreciated!
Steve

[Wila]

Further to Dave K, the scupper drain at the back of the cockpit has a plastic hose should look like a sink trap to that drain. 

I would guess either the sealant around the drain is shot, the drain itself or the hose is cracked/broken.  If you go headfirst into a 1/4 berth it'll all be clear. 

[CaptainPotter]

I did see the cockpit drain but felt like repairing it would be a major pain, given the up and down installation. Its seal with the transom was good. After thinking about how little water I've had coming over the sides and rear in the past, I opted to insert a plug and seal with 52 million adhesive. Sailed it yesterday and she's dry now and never had any water come over the coaming.

[Dave K - SF Bay]

Well, there are plenty of boats that have to be bailed if they take on water, so you can certainly do it that way.  But keep in mind that draining the cockpit after a misadventure is one thing, a more frequent use of the drain is when it rains or when you wash the boat. You may find that nuisance more annoying then it would have been to fit a new piece of hose. And now that you've plugged it with 5200, you have a project ahead of you to get the plug out. 5200 is so permanent, I don't let that stuff anywhere near my boats. I was told 5200 was developed to assemble and seal semi-trailers for trucking without using rivets, boats were an tangential marketing opportunity.

[CaptainPotter]

Well Dave, it's not quite that bad. The seal for the external drain is now good, so no water can come in. The actual drain in the cockpit is NOT sealed and any water in the cockpit (the boat is never out in the rain and I wipe the cockpit to clean it, not wash it) would be a minor amount and would drain into the bilge which has a removable plug in the transom.

Replacing the drain pipe would be a bear and even so, it's still an option. Plus I can drill out the plug that I installed in the external drain if I ever want to...