hawg Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 I have a problem with water/dirt accumulating in the ice chest tie-down inserts which are installed in the deck of my boat. Have any of you guys tried drilling a hole in the bottom of these inserts in order to allow the water/dirt to flow into the bilge? Any idea how much clearance there is between the bottom of the insert and the hull itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted April 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2018 Since the response to this stimulating subject was somewhat disappointing, I decided to take some measurements and risk drilling a couple of holes. According to my calculations, there is approximately 2 inches between the bottom of the tie-down inserts and the hull. I drilled holes in the bottom of each insert, being careful not to go any deeper than necessary. The water now drains into the bilge without any issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted April 11, 2018 Report Share Posted April 11, 2018 That’s good you got it like you want it. I guess you must not ride your cooler around in the boat often? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted April 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2018 Yes I do, but the small hole I drilled in the bottom of the tie-down to drain the water does not prevent me from using the tie-downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 I actually meant if the cooler tie downs were filling the holes they would not fill with water and dirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted April 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 Sorry HoneyB, I am using plain old nylon straps to hold down my cooler. I didn't know there was a dedicated system for the in-deck plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted April 12, 2018 Report Share Posted April 12, 2018 Glad to see there are some HPX 15 owners around. My boat is a 2007 bgt when it was 2 yrs from a gentlemen in Great Pine Island, Keys. It is fitted with a simple heavy shock cord to pad eyes in the deck,so there is no area for water or dirt to to accumulate. It is a fun little boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 Hawg - Lest these folks not recognize your genius, I'll chime in. My 2000 MA has the same system you do, I believe. The cooler tie downs are recessed into the deck, with bars running across the holes to allow you to hook the tie downs to deck. All of this is nice, flush, and not toe grabbing, but as you point out, dirty and water collects in the recessed areas and looks like hell. I'd never thought about drilling a hole in it, but it would go a long way to elminating this. What size bit did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted April 13, 2018 Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 4 hours ago, whichwaysup said: Hawg - Lest these folks not recognize your genius, I'll chime in. My 2000 MA has the same system you do, I believe. The cooler tie downs are recessed into the deck, with bars running across the holes to allow you to hook the tie downs to deck. All of this is nice, flush, and not toe grabbing, but as you point out, dirty and water collects in the recessed areas and looks like hell. I'd never thought about drilling a hole in it, but it would go a long way to elminating this. What size bit did you use? Sorry guys I’m a little slow. Now I understand the tie down system you guys have it makes perfect sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 whichwaysup, I used a 1/8 bit. I figure that will be big enough to drain the water and let any sand or debris flow into the bilge without plugging up the hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2018 BTW- My wife thought of the idea. I just complained about it for the past couple of years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted April 14, 2018 Report Share Posted April 14, 2018 Aint that the way it goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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