Curing the ‘Cockpit Swimming Pool’ on an AT34

Ever since I’ve had my American Tug 34 (about 3 years now) I’ve been bothered by the amount of water that comes into the rear cockpit. It’s worse when I’m running at around 1800-2000RPM, but it also occurs when going slow, or at anchor whenever wakes break under the swim platform. It’s not just cosmetic. The water gets into the propane locker AND the lazarette, and is causing some corrosion there - so I’m finally motivated to do some thing about it……

I attacked the problem in 3 ways:

1.        I fabricated a ‘dam’ of Starboard to close the gap under the cockpit gate based on a design that Kurt sent me. 

2.        Kurt also sent me a replacement gasket for the lazarette hatch

3.        Tomco now install a splash shield under the slots in the swim platform on newer AT34s. Kurt was also kind enough to send me one of these as well.

Thank you, Kurt!!

First things first

The very first thing I did, though, is to check the rudder shaft for corrosion. Take a look in the lazarette under the protective fiberglass step. The upper end of the rudder shaft is there. It is fitted into a bearing with the control arm attached. Unfortunately, the bearing and collar make a nice ‘ledge’ for seawater to sit and corrode.  Dry it out and fill the recess with a good quality WATERPROOF grease (I used a nasty sticky green trailer bearing grease). You should check the tightness of the 2 square-headed lock bolts that secure the rudder arm onto the post as long as you’re in there standing on your head anyway ….

Dam with Scuppers:

 I was toying with the idea of building a permanent dam across the bottom of cockpit gate, until Kurt came up with a better solution.  This is the drawing he sent me:

Imagine a piece of 1/2" starboard with holes along the bottom edge (to allow water to escape) and a piece of rubber flap material (1/8" neoprene rubber) attached to the aft face of the piece of starboard (attach at the top edge only).

It is cut to fit inside the opening left when the transom door is closed and it is held in place with two cleats of 1/2" starboard.

The scupper is placed in the opening and the transom door is closed to lock it in place.

You have to remember to remove it after arriving at your destination as it is a trip hazard.  (Something the ‘Admiral’ was not really happy about with my proposed permanent dam.)

Following are pictures of how I implemented the design.  The first picture is a view from the inside of the cockpit with the cockpit door open.  The second is a picture as viewed from the outside of the boat.

I used ½ inch Starboard – you’ll need a piece about 2 ¾ in high X 24 in long. A plastics fabrication shop in Annapolis charged me all of $9 for this bit…..

The best way to fabricate this is to use cardboard to make a template first. The cockpit door is chamfered, so is slightly larger in the middle.

I made two cleats, approx 2 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch to hold the board in place.  These were screwed in place with plenty of bedding compound.

I found some 3/32 in neoprene in Fawcetts chandlery in Annapolis . (Kurt suggested ‘stealing’ some from the anchor locker flap behind the bed if necessary.)

I cut-out 2 long slots for scuppers, and secured the neoprene with large washers to spread-out the tension.

So, does it work ?? 

In a word – YES….its well worthwhile, as it seems to keep about 95% of the water from entering the cockpit (and, of course, the lockers) – even when running at 1800-2000RPM and even when we get waked by big boats passing by.

If I had to do it again, I’d probably use 1 inch Starboard, as it ‘looks sturdier.’ I’d also consider having a plastics fabrication cut it out from my template since they have much better tools to shape this stuff than I do.

Lazarette Gasket Replacement:

According to Kurt, the lazarette hatch dog catch should be tight enough that you have to stand on it with one foot to operate the latch. There are 2 nuts on the swiveling arm that adjust the tension. Mine has *never* been that tight before.

Also, according to ‘the man,’ if the gasket material has been compromised, it should be replaced.

Tomco Splash Shield:

Tomco designed a shield that is fitted to recent AT34s under the swim platform that helps prevent some water from entering the drain slots in the swim platform at certain speeds.  According to Kurt, there can still be situations where speed, weight and sea conditions will allow some water to enter through the transom door and wash over the lazarette hatch.

The splash shield has to be installed during a haul-out, so I haven’t had a chance to try this out yet.  I’ll update this document when I do.

 - Jeremy Bell.     AT 34 #48 “Tardis”

 ‘Weasel Words’:

Since I’ve quoted Kurt, and he supplied the best ideas for this article, I should include the usual disclaimers:

None of this stuff should be considered Tomco policy and suggestions. I take the responsibility for this document, and you shouldn’t believe anything I say without first checking with your lawyer, mechanic, spiritual counselor, aroma-therapy guru or whatever. Its at your own risk: as my Mother used to say to me: “Don’t come running to me if you break your leg”…