*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: To those who know, no explaination is necessary. To those who don't, none is sufficient!
I bought a used boat last year and this year I’m really starting to take note of various things I didn’t notice before. For one thing, I’ve noticed that the waterline is just above the (plastic/poly) aft scuppers. The cockpit drains are connected to the scuppers via a rubber hose. Obviously this would/will be a problem if the scuppers leak into the bilge. At this point I am assuming I should replace these scuppers with something of a higher quality, (i.e. bronze). I would also replace the hoses and hardware, as well as double clamp everything. I’m also considering adding an additional bilge pump.
Does anyone have other advice on addressing this situation? Are there any recommendations on the type of scupper to get? Is it a good idea to add ballast to the bow? Thanks in advance for the replies.
Same set up in my new boat. All was at least double clamped from the factory. I have decided a similar route. I'm adding another pump and a HIGH WATER alarm to the bilge area. Mine also came with inspection covers over the drains, I ditched the screw down covers and left the drains 100% accessible. If I ever do have one leak, I sure don't want to have to unscrew 8 screws from a cover to get to it.
These holes aren't in the floor, just in a battery shelf between stringers in the bilge, all under the motor box...
Same thing in my boat. Especially when I am backing in on a ramp, that water poors in. What I did, and this may sound a little stupid, but I went to west marine and bought there clear heavy duty marine tape. I tape the scuppers on the outside of the boat so no water can get in! I have a spare bilge with alligator clamps to the batteries and a long hose to pump any built up water over the sides. If we take one over the front, pull the tape and run it all out. I will never be comfortable with my scuppers under the water so I just plain shut them off. A sh$t load of water gets in my hull through these things and I dont like it 70 miles offshore. Let me know if you find a good scupper. Mine are rectangle shaped in the back.
Gentlemen,
You should be concerned about these issues. I work with builders everyday to resolve issues such as this. Please advise the name of the builder so we can go see them and get this resolved for future boats. I am sorry to confim that you are correct in thinking that you need to re-plumb the boat.
Use No plastic in thru-hulls, scuppers, etc. It should be illegal (and may be soon)
Do not depend on Duct Tape, if water leaks in your boat when putting it in the water this is a BIG problem. (What happens when your livewell bursts fifty miles offshore and three guys get in the back of boat) Hint: You sink
Purchase a quality scupper system
You may have to add flotation to the back of the boat so it drains down and your scupper is well above the water line.
An extra bilge pump mounted in the boat is never a bad idea (Clips are not acceptable, but better than nothing)
A high water alarm is a great idea.
Double clamp all hoses
Use Marine grade hose.
Read good books on the subject and get a qualified marine builder or boat survayor to inspect your work. (really this should be hired done by a professional)
Good Luck
Gemlux
mine have check balls in the deck drains. They are just drains too. self draining, yes. Self bailing, no. So far I haven't gotten a drop back up through them launching or otherwise. They also have flappers on the outside...
mine have check balls in the deck drains. They are just drains too. self draining, yes. Self bailing, no. So far I haven't gotten a drop back up through them launching or otherwise. They also have flappers on the outside...
Do you know the manufacturer of your scuppers? I would like to see one.
Gentlemen,
...
You may have to add flotation to the back of the boat so it drains down and your scupper is well above the water line.
...
Good Luck
Gemlux
You DEFINITELY DO NOT want scuppers below the waterline under any circumstance; no matter what the set-up, no matter how it could be explained.....
What type of set-up do you have? boat, engines, fuel etc.?
Something will definitely need to be moved, removed or added to*raise the stern...
TS
We may not want it but a high percentage of Bay boats have scuppers below the waterline. I have seen this on Scouts, Pathfinders, Key Wests, Makos and several others. I think it is pretty common on bay boats. Most are truly not self-bailing, they are self draining. My boat will get a few gallons of water in the back after a few hours of sloshing around but it runs right out when I start up. The scupper seals most of the time but not 100%. If someone has a magic solution, I would like to hear it.
I'm not sure if some of you fully understand. This is a setup where the scupper
entrance is in the deck ABOVE the water line and the scupper exit is piped down
to somewhere below the waterline. Note ideal, but it sounds like you guys think
that the deck flooded with water and it is not. His issue is with the safety of the
piping of the water through hoses, ie, the need to double clamp, ect.
I knew we were off topic a little. He does have a unique system but we some how we got around to discussing scuppers below the water line. Sounds like his deck drains have hoses that are plumbed through the bilge and out to the scupper.
You DEFINITELY DO NOT want scuppers below the waterline under any circumstance; no matter what the set-up, no matter how it could be explained.....
What type of set-up do you have? boat, engines, fuel etc.?
Something will definitely need to be moved, removed or added to*raise the stern...
TS
hull floats in about 8-10 inches. Waterline is about an inch above the scupper. My boat was a crossover between a boat they where licensed to build (licensee used plastic) and one they built themselfs (use metal on thier own boats). Mfg. said scuppers should not be plastic and are sending me a set of stainless replacements. I was satisfied with the explaination and service. Scuppers are supposed to be in the mail. I agree it's a bad plan to intentionally put any hole in a boat below the waterline. I don't like it but will be able to accept it with stainless rather than plastic.
sorry, I think you where refering to jakeo's situation, agree totally unacceptable. Mine is just disagreeable..
My 84 Mako 224 has the same problem. Most of the time the check balls seal and then some times they stick and don't unseal and I have to stick in a screwdriver and unstick them. I have a 3700 gph pump in the splashwell and a 1500 and a 3700 in the bildge.
Now someone tell me more about adding floation in the stern. The boat always sets low in the stern. Moving the batteries to the console helped adding the Mec 4 stroke 15hp put it right back down in the water. My son and I lose 120 pounds togather and that helps when we both are aft but man there has to be a easier way then cutting carbs. Heehee
My 84 Mako 224 has the same problem. Most of the time the check balls seal and then some times they stick and don't unseal and I have to stick in a screwdriver and unstick them. I have a 3700 gph pump in the splashwell and a 1500 and a 3700 in the bildge.
Now someone tell me more about adding floation in the stern. The boat always sets low in the stern. Moving the batteries to the console helped adding the Mec 4 stroke 15hp put it right back down in the water. My son and I lose 120 pounds togather and that helps when we both are aft but man there has to be a easier way then cutting carbs. Heehee
I bought a used boat last year and this year I’m really starting to take note of various things I didn’t notice before. For one thing, I’ve noticed that the waterline is just above the (plastic/poly) aft scuppers. The cockpit drains are connected to the scuppers via a rubber hose. Obviously this would/will be a problem if the scuppers leak into the bilge. At this point I am assuming I should replace these scuppers with something of a higher quality, (i.e. bronze). I would also replace the hoses and hardware, as well as double clamp everything. I’m also considering adding an additional bilge pump.
Does anyone have other advice on addressing this situation? Are there any recommendations on the type of scupper to get? Is it a good idea to add ballast to the bow? Thanks in advance for the replies.
easy running,
I would always make sure the hose connections are good, the bilge pumps (two of them) are working and you have good scuppers. Wish I could advise you on the scuppers. I put Rabuds on my boat (Sea Scupper at www.rabud.com) but I have a bay boat with a different setup. My deck drains through the scuppers directly, no hoses. This is the setup with most bay boats. The problem arises for us when the deck gets below the water line and this happens frequently with bay boats. There is no solution for this except for some type of backflow preventer (which I have never been able to locate) or to raise the deck or to plug the holes. If anyone has a quality backflow preventer, I would love to hear about it.
Backflow preventer = checkvalve...and you wouldn't want that on any device that is used to keep a boat afloat. PRAFT...the only way I know to add floatation would be with a bracket...I put one on a previous boat with twin 150's on a 25 footer and it raised the stern 3"...It was like driving a different unit after that...much more senitive to weight shift and somewhat squirrely in tracking with a following sea.....Good luck on the below water line scupper issue....I would get the holes patched and find another method to channel the water from my deck....TS
All the selfbailing drains on my Triton LTS are below the water line at the transom!! I would not be concerned, unless as stated above, they are made of plastic and not double clamped.
Clinton
22 Triton LTS
Also take a close look at many boats with forward fish boxes. the drains are below the water line more often than not.
waterline above the scuppers 
