CB wrote:
ok so last spring I installed some nice bronze groco seacocks as
valves for my forward draining cockpit - the drains go down through
thru-hulls under the waterline.

i'm about to haul the boat for the winter, and yes, it will freeze.
so. groco recommends that i drain the body of the seacock by removing
the side plugs, etc etc. no problem.

but. these are cockpit drains, and the cockpit drains forward (ranger
26, 1971). the drains need to be active over the winter (example: i get
snow in the cockpit, whatever, my tarp fails), and then it warms up one
day. cockpit needs to drain down and out, or i flood the interior (only
about six inches before i overflow into the cabin).

so. I can drain the seacocks, but then i need to replug them so the
drains function "normally" over the winter, should there be a need.
but. water will get into the body and if it refreezes then i'm in
trouble.

does anyone have any comments or treatment suggestions on how i can
win on both sides here?

thanks,

-CB


For the winter, I bought 1" plastic conduit pipe with 45 & 22 degree
fittings to make a structure to support the tarp...especially over a
sailboat cockpit. I go out and brush off any heavy snow that accumulates.