randy (and others 'listening'): yes, two drain holes from cockpit in the rear locker; and then two thru-hull drains below the waterline. SWEET PEA's through-hull pipes (the galley sink and the cockpit drains) have been replaced (cockpit 10 to5 yrs ago; galley sink 4-5 yrs ago) and are non-AL. SWEET PEA only has one transom hole (to port). there is not a second. i wish there was a second on the starboard side as that is where her engine mount is located and where i'll need to create a hole when i convert the engine (an suziki 4HP) to an external fuel tank. dave scobie M17 #375 - sweet pea (http://www.m17-375.webs.com) M15 #288 - SCRED (FOR SALE, http://www.freewebs.com/15-named-scred --- On Thu, 5/14/09, RKGraves <RKGraves@cite.nic.edu> wrote: David, On the earlier 17's, like SWEET PEA, your likely to have a second set of cockpit drains below the waterline. I'm guessing your 17 is similar to our 1988 model. If so, you'll see two below the waterline drains exiting out the front of the stern locker. There are large diameter hoses below the cockpit floor that connect these drains to two molded AL tubes on each side of the stern below the waterline. You may have heard owners talking about checking the integrity of these hoses and connections as a leak could sink you boat. Also on the 1981 to 1994'ish model 17's there are the two holes exiting out the transom. The holes in the transom would only be used if sufficient water came onboard as to not drain quickly out the two below the waterline drains. On models before ours there is a single below the water line drain in the aft end of the cockpit. Randy G ________________________________________ From: W David Scobie [wdscobie@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 5:56 PM i've not had the water in the cockpit yet on SWEET PEA. i now it is just a matter of time. i like the 'idea' of ball valves ... but don't like the thought of having to remember to open the valves if the boat is pooped/swamped. in moments of stress one can forget basic things ... this is why a GREAT number of people can't use a fire extinguisher as they panic and forget to remove the safety pin - and bend the handles closed!! the M15, SCRED in my case, will siphon water in some circumstances up the centerboard pendent hole allowing water to pool on the low side when beating to the wind. i've taken to wearing boating sandals and waterproof socks. on cold days i put on a good pair of warm socks under the waterproof socks. feet say dry, warm and happy. the socks come from REI and are GORE-TEX. this waterproof socks & boots combo is my action plan for sailing SWEET PEA. for bad weather i just wear my foul weather gear and tall boots. again, warm socks keep my feet happy. dave scobie M17 #375 - sweet pea (http://www.m17-375.webs.com) M15 #288 - SCRED (FOR SALE, http://www.freewebs.com/15-named-scred