J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Forward Bilge Drain Improvements

We're sanding and refinishing the cabin sole. I'd like to improve the drainage from the forward bilge to the center section. Over the years, water has collected by the drain hole at the aft end of the teak near the mast step making this a problem spot for refinishing the wood. I've had it dry all winter so feel confident when we refinish it the moisture will be out. What have people done to improve the flow from the bow compartment bilge drain so water doesn't collect there? I don't want to drill into something that will cause a bigger problem.

There should be free drainage from the limber holes by the mast step and the floor of the v-berth to the bilge. Unfortunately, they get easily plugged. Aggressive digging with stiff wire did the trick for me, and I have good drainage.

I found this thing at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=161219-319-LX-00400&lpage=none

Hard to see in the picture, but all it is is a plastic flexible stick with small flexible plastic barbs on the sides.

I too tried to use a wire but just couldnt get it to drain as fast as I felt it should.

Words cannot express how well this thing dug all the hair, dirt, and nastiness out of the drain. 2 minute job.

Amazon has a better picture:
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-Drain-Cleaning-00400/dp/B000BO9204

-dan

Dan - I bought one of those at Home Depot today. Simply amazing. I extracted a "tapeworm" of sawdust and other goop. Thanks for the tip. Bill