Create a drain for a 2004 Valiant RIB?

[clarksn]

Hi,

I've recently acquired a 2004 4.9m Valiant rib which has no sump and no drain to drain the inner hull.

Unlike the previous owner who used to keep it ashore, I have it on a mooring and on lifting it on the sailing club crane today to do some work on it, found it was hanging very stern heavy and suspect water in the inner hull. I'm presuming the water is getting in through the various deck mountings as the most liklely culprit so little can be done.

I know from operating club safety boats with sumps we're always draining plenty of water from the inner hulls.

Any views on getting a transom hull drain fitted appreciated (given with no sump, it would have to be on the transom below the normal water level and can only reasonably be drained by regular lifting). The company I took it to for the unrelated work needed said they can do it if I want but proffered no advice either way and simply said they'd do it if I want it done.

Thanks

[gtflash]

My experience of self bailers below waterline is only negative. The collect debris and leak. My current boat self bailers sit just above waterline, plus I have an extra NRV in-line from deck outlets. I still need a bung in them, so use them as high levels of water exits only. In other words if I stuff it I’ll pull plugs out and let it flow.

[clarksn]

Originally Posted by gtflash

My experience of self bailers below waterline is only negative. The collect debris and leak. My current boat self bailers sit just above waterline, plus I have an extra NRV in-line from deck outlets. I still need a bung in them, so use them as high levels of water exits only. In other words if I stuff it I’ll pull plugs out and let it flow.

Thanks. I wasn’t thinking about self bailers; just a drain hole with maybe a screw in plug rather than bung, so it can be drained when lifted (luckily our sailing club has a crane). I already have a bilge pump low level in the back to get rid of water from the open deck when in use or rain when on the mooring.

[Limecc]

They are called a Garboard drain and I fitted one. Nerve racking stuff drilling. When I was happy with the pilot, used a 25mm holesaw. Pilot holes for the self tappers and Polyeurethane as bedding compound. Got it from ebay/china.

[clarksn]

Originally Posted by Limecc

They are called a Garboard drain and I fitted one. Nerve racking stuff drilling. When I was happy with the pilot, used a 25mm holesaw. Pilot holes for the self tappers and Polyeurethane as bedding compound. Got it from ebay/china.

Thanks Limecc. That looks exactly what I was thinking might work as a solution. Have you had any negatives from doing it (like it actually letting water in as it ages?).

[Limecc]

It's easy to replace the rubber washer and only lets water in when you forget to tighten it. I once had 1/4 ton of seawater sloshing around in the bilge and some serious electrolysis of the battery cables going on.

[beamishken]

Why not cut the floor & create a well at the transom & fit a bung into the sump so you can drain the inner hull whilst afloat? You'd have the benefit of a sump to fit a bilge pump too to keep the deck dry as well as being able to drain the underdeck easily. If your handy with fibreglass its not that difficult.

[Rick Fisher]

I have a 9 year old Aluminum Hulled Rib which has been taking on water. It turned out to be the failure of a one way water escape hatch in he stern. Hard for me to explain.



Turns out the water has been going into the hull from this vent and then running out the sea-cocks. If I can post pictures I will .. Any drains under the waterline need maintenance. IF I can post a pic I will .. Its just worn out rubber but once it failed it became a problem.

[Adam and Hayley]

Could you recomend a polyurethane bedding compound?

Are they all the same or do you need a marine specific one please?

[Adam and Hayley]

I went for sikaflex 291i

[Limecc]

PU40 from Toolstation is 1/3 price of Sika and comes from the same production lines. Everbuild brand is owned by Sika.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Limecc

PU40 from Toolstation is 1/3 price of Sika and comes from the same production lines. Everbuild brand is owned by Sika.

Need to search for puraflex on the website but thats what I use too

[Adam and Hayley]

Thank you