Drilling drain holes into side trays??

Full Freezer · 03-08-2004, 08:02 PM

I clean my boat regularly (lemonjoy w/ touch of anise) and it takes too darn long for the storage trays on the gunnels to dry out. I don't like to place anything in there while its damp cause it smell musty.

Has anyone drilled holes thru these trays to help them drain?? I had thought that the manufacturer would have done it while building the boat.

Any reason NOT to do this cause I've got my cordless drill in my hand....... [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

wannacatchem · 03-08-2004, 08:04 PM

I'm very interested in this too, and I don't see why not! I'll be drilling mine this weekend

Herring Impaired · 03-08-2004, 08:07 PM

My Northriver has drain holes in the corners of the sidetrays. Don't see how it could hurt to drill a 3/16" or so hole in a couple corners....

[ 03-08-2004, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: Leroy ]

cully · 03-08-2004, 08:31 PM

drill the holes! My wood boat has side trays and the drilled holes are safe passage for water to accumulate in one place, the bottom of the boat. Don't forget though, to pump the bilge.

Water Ready · 03-08-2004, 08:46 PM

What kind of boat?

Glass, Aluminum, wood?

storage under trays?

Foam panels?

Captive air for floatation?

or straight to the bilge?

Probably can drill, but, where will the water go? [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

WheresMyBobber · 03-08-2004, 08:50 PM

I couldn't NOT have drain holes in the side trays. My boat came with them, and they are located where the tray meets the stern, so when the boat is tipped back at all, the water drains onto the floor and goes under the floor boards. Without them, even fishing in the rain could create quite a puddle, let alone washing it.

[ 03-08-2004, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: WheresMyBobber ]

Rakkasan · 03-08-2004, 08:55 PM

I had a Willie DB and I drilled holes in the tackle trays. It does not hurt a thing.

1pump · 03-08-2004, 10:42 PM

My Klamath has 'em. They're too small, though, and plug up easily. :depressed:

Billy Tillamook · 03-09-2004, 03:20 AM

I had the same problem,I drilled the side trays out in 3-4 spots...no more water! :grin:

NorthRiverRick · 03-09-2004, 04:01 AM

Drill'em! My first NR had no drain holes,

I had to put some in myself. The new boat is built with the the corners cut out of the back ends of the trays for drains.

Rick

Full Freezer · 03-09-2004, 07:24 AM

Thanks everyone!

NRRick- you would figure that with NR they would have done this before shipping.

WaterReady- its an NR aluminum sled with side trays running entire lenght of boat on the inside. Doesn't drain fast enuff for me when I wash them down. I figure about 5 holes per side oughta do.

I will now commence DRILLING! :tongue: