Sea Chest

One of the projects planned in advance before I began an 8 month haul out in 1994, was to reduce the number of thru-hulls below the waterline from 11 to 4. Adding a Sea Chest for intake water was part of the plan. One 2" Forespar Marlon sea cock connected by 2" hose to a Vetus strainer, led water into the fiberglass sea chest. On the side and top of the sea chest are individual sea cocks for the engine, 2 heads, wash down, refrigeration and air conditioning. The inside of the sea chest was painted with anti-fouling paint and an access port of good size should be incorporated into the design. My first attempt required a rebuild to increase the size of the top opening access plate. A photo of the first edition shows the small circular top opening. The unit was mounted under steps and the steps were made opening and removable as well

For outflow, each head and the galley sink use a 1.5" seacock. Head sinks, shower, a.c. condensate drainage and chain locker all drain into a sump box with internal float switch and is pumped up an into the Y drain of the galley sink by a Whale diaphragm pump.

Why all this work? Well, stories abound of sailors stepping down into water inside their boats. It was obvious to me that if that ever happened to me, I wanted the least amount of work to stop the flow. Disregarding a hole in the hull from a collision(not likely on a CSY), or a leaking water tank, I can check or close all 4 in about a minute if necessary.