I've hated my cockpit drains since I bought the boat. Last season I took a shot at fixing them. First change was to get rid of the stainless covers over the drains. Second step was to cut holes in the cockpit grating to allow water to go directly to the drain - rather than seep around the slats in the grating. Right now I'm comfortable with them. If that changes, I'll install larger fiberglass tubes direct from the cockpit to the sea - maybe down, maybe aft, haven't decided yet.