Building "Elfyn"

[Rod Tait]

Boat rolled over for final paint and sheer stripe.https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwZlD7gduJ/ So close to the varnishing stage of all the top sides and spars.

[Rod Tait]

I am thinking it would be good idea to have a drain plug to be able to drain the boat when loaded onto the trailer. But all of the brass ones need a #8 screw to hold base plate in place and hull planking is only 1/4" thick. Or hold in from outside with countersunk bolt and nuts on inside. Not interested in rubber or plastic so other thought is maybe a backing block inside bottom of boat, but then the drain is elevated. Any thoughts?
drain.jpg

[Thad]

Hole with matching cork. Works.

[mick allen]

I think you also have a raised keelson, so then would need 2 drains - or a cross channel - to limit the similar puddling as a backer block.

So what about 2 separated cross holes from inside with the hole perimeter flush with the plank/strake surface and exiting just below the opposing garboard surface. [use epoxy, etc, to grain seal]. The keel stock size gives the thickness for friction, threading, or expansion drain plug approach. The duplication, angle, and low elevation gives the complete drainage; the remaining keel depth and hole separation [as well as s&g construction] maintains keel strength and stiffness and low location allows floorbd coverage. You could even design a simple removable tension latch that locks it all in place.

an idea anyway.

[ulav8r]

Throw away the screws and use epoxy. Is this a good suggestion? Probably not, but it might work.

[dalekidd]

I am thinking it would be good idea to have a drain plug to be able to drain the boat when loaded onto the trailer. But all of the brass ones need a #8 screw to hold base plate in place and hull planking is only 1/4" thick. Or hold in from outside with countersunk bolt and nuts on inside. Not interested in rubber or plastic so other thought is maybe a backing block inside bottom of boat, but then the drain is elevated. Any thoughts?
drain.jpg

I used this exact plug on my boat. I epoxied a 3” square piece of ply onto the inside of my boat and then installed the plug. I realize this will prevent draining all of the water out of the boat, but the way I sail, I don’t figure I’ll be getting all that much water in the boat anyway. I thought about putting the extra piece of ply on the exterior but didn’t.

[Rod Tait]

We are going to bypass the drain plug for now. Can always add it later. For a new cover, I am setting up some supports for the main mast to act as a ridge beam. Need the company to start on the cover now before the boat is done but pretty much all that is left is setting up the sail rig and some leather work on the mast/boom and oars.

ridgebeam.jpg