Different Cockpit Drain Systems on M17's. The cockpit drains on the 17's is one of the features which has changed through the years. Our 17 is an 1988 model and has 2 openings in the rear-floor of the cockpit. These feed water into a wet locker. From the wet locker 2 drains route water out to drains molded into the hull below the waterline near the stern. I believe this setup was standard on 17's built from the early 80's up until around 1993. The down-side of this setup is if one of the hull fittings or hoses connecting the fittings to the wet locker where to fail you could take on serious water in a hurry. Others have written about checking and repairing/replacing these parts if needed. The plus side is they do a very good job of keeping the cockpit floor absent of water, even in choppy and following seas. This vintage 17 also has secondary cockpit drains. These are large holes in the transom several inches above the waterline. Should the wet locker not be able to drain fast enough these holes allow excess water to exit out the stern. These holes are several inches above the water line, minimizing the chance of water entering the wet locker through them in choppy conditions. I think with the earliest 17's have a single drain in the rear floor of the cockpit which drains out below the waterline. The newest 17's have the system you guys describe. Where 2 large opening in the transom at the waterline connect through hoses which pass through the rear cockpit locker to drains in the rear of the cockpit. I think it's in these hoses sailors sometimes put check valves to keep water from splashing back into the cockpit. The disadvantage of this system is with the drains at the waterline it is easily for water to find its way into the cockpit. Or, if check valves are installed having them closed should you take on a bunch of water. The advantage is there is nothing below the waterline which could fail. Each system seems to have its advantages/disadvantages. Randy Graves, M17 #410 ________________________________________ From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of JDavies104@aol.com [JDavies104@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 2:45 PM To: turkajo@netzero.net; montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: M_Boats: Crew Capacity... The M-17 I got last summer (#633) has seacocks installed in the cockpit drain lines. With them open, water does splash into the cockpit a little, particularly in a following chop. It drains back out, and is only a minor irritation. Close them up and is stays dry at all times. I've never taken on any real water over the side or bow, but if I did I'd want to open them up quick. Rick ************** Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats