by craig on Wed Jul 16, 2014 2:21 pm
The plans specify an open compartment extending under the cockpit floor (where the floatation foam is supposed to go). Just yesterday I finished a modification on my boat to seal off that area with plywood and epoxy filets. The sides of the footwell now extend all the way to the floor of the boat, so each lazarette compartment is independent and sealed completely and the floatation foam under the footwell floor will be permanently sealed in.
The problem is that the lowest point of the lazarette compartment is below the footwell elevation and at the inside of the boat, not the outside. So there is no easy way to drain that compartment automatically unless you drain directly to the cabin bilge. I believe Tattoo has that modification, but I don't see the point of draining rain/sea water INTO the boat.
I plan on only storing things in the lazarette compartment that can get wet: dock lines, bumpers, etc. I will install a scupper drain as low as I can into the footwell area as a "worst-case scenario" in case the compartment starts to flood. Or I suppose I could drain through the transom. Other than that: I'll just have to sponge it out manually in case it floods.
So basically I would like the hatch to be watertight but think I can survive if it isn't. What is the bedding tape you are using?
Titania, launched January 2015