Nov 9, 2000 1:13 pm
The increased traffic on this listserver has been very educational. So, I can't help but solicit advice for all of the problems I'm working on!

The sink plumbing is pretty awful on my Seawind - it's Tee-d into the port cockpit drain. Since the bottom of the sink is at about the waterline, it doesn't empty on one tack, and using a plunger pushes water and goo up the cockpit drain.

So, my plan is to add a seacock under the sink, just for the sink, and get rid of the Tee. This won't help drainage on starboard tack, though. Has anyone addressed this problem?

Oh, and here's an idea to share - I added a Tee to the engine sea water inlet, and ran that to a demand pump. The pump's output goes to a Y valve that selects either it, or the normal hot water line, to the sink's hot water faucet. So, at sea, we have running sea water at the sink, in huge volumes, which greatly reduces the amount of fresh we use. When washing dishes we can just let the water flow without manual pumping or worrying about rationing; we followup with a quick fresh water rinse.

Nov 9, 2000 1:48 pm
I installed a 1" thru hull right under the sink. I also replaced the 10 " deep stainless steel sink with an 8" deep American Standard Americast "island" sink. The 2" difference in depth seems to be enough to keep it from back flowing on a starboard tack. Even if it were a problem, its easy to open and close the valve when you need it if its located under the sink. The other advantage is that there is no low spot for the gray water to lay and ferment. I rerouted it because the T and the 6 hose clamps made me nervous.

A word about the sink. While it is 2 " shallower than the old one it is 15 X 14 inside. This means you can actually wash a pot or a skillet. A cutting board with a built in strainer fits on top adding some counter space. The outside dimensions of the sink are 18 X18 so it just fits into the galley.

Date: Thu Nov 9, 2000 2:16 pm

The sink problem will not be resolved by a seacock. I installed one. The sink is so deep as to be under the waterline in a fully loaded offshore condition, or when speed above 5 kts squat the ship. you can't always be on the port tack!

Furthermore, even when avoiding the use of the sink in favor of a pail, the stagnant water in the bottom and in the pipe becomes smelly and foul rapidly (worse with a seacock?), and need frequent bleech rinsing to prevent smelling up the cabin.

I like your idea for saltwater flow, but can live with the foot pump. But I shall definitely look into replacing the sink by a shallower one. Anyone has found the best solution?

Date: Tue Nov 14, 2000 11:12 am

We also have the problem with the sink drain, that is until I installed a sink drain that has a screw type plug. Now all we have to do is install the sink drain plug, tighten it and no water can come into the sink.

Date: Fri May 18, 2001 1:44 am

I just changed my sink from the original 12" depth to a new one 6.5" deep (with same footprint) from the Lewis Marine Group. The old one was always filling with seawater, or smelling horribly if the valve installed 3 years ago was kept closed, requiring frequent aggressive cleaning which corroded two drain fittings, and now one corner of the old sink. At last we can hope to keep things dry in it at sea or in harbor, and yet flush it regularly with clean water and clean things in it. I have not yet found a tight drain cover as an additional precaution, any idea for the standard "3.5" large drain fitting"?

Date: Fri May 18, 2001 9:17 pm

Regarding the sink drain, we went another route. First before and after each voyage we flush the system with fresh water using a hose. This prevents any bacteria from forming within the drain and causing an odor. Second, we chose to remain with the deep sink, for those very rough days,

when you need a place to put your coffee or other item, but installed a open/close valve just downstream from the drain. This can be closed to prevent any water from entering/exiting. And last we installed an all plastic drain so that no electrolysis action takes place. So far, after some 5 years, the system has worked well.

Date: Sat May 19, 2001 9:24 am
Your route is what I tried (all plastic drain + cut-off valve), but I found that fresh water is short in the islands and not odor- and rot-free anyway (actually may be worse than salt water), hence my current route. Our desperate resorting to bleach resulted in corrosion of the drain fitting and ultimately the sink corners. In any case, when the weather acts up to the point the shallower sink is no longer safe, I switch to knock down mode (although we got knocked down south of Les Saintes unprepared, and yet nothing went wrong, the SII is that good!), where loose items are locked in, and all drawers are secured with strong shock cords.

Date: Fri Jun 22, 2001 6:18 pm

Kitchen Sink: I have replaced the dismal 12" deep sink that constantly filled with seawater and finally rotted, with a 6.5" sink of the same foot print (I only had to alter two of the stud holes in the counter top). Now I almost never have to close the valve, except on a tight starboard tack up wind. Lewis Group has such a sink on the catalog. Another advantage is a better slope of the drain hose, so no more rotten eggs smell. Cooks and dishwashers, and all crew indeed, will be happier.