Quote:
Originally Posted by NoBones
I would NEVER consider re-doing a boat without deck drains !
Case in point,
Never say never..  |
If I planed on docking a boat or leaving it in the water I would not go with out but in my case the boat is normally short trips on/off the trailer.
Your right about the pumps, they cant be trusted. That's for sure.
You did get me thinking though. If I was to encounter a bad storm while off in the sound or took enough water over the bow before I could get back to the trailer I would probably wish I had them. Im sure the pump couldn't keep up.
Originally when I added the deck drains to the bilge they have barbs. The original plan was to cross drain lines and add scuppers to the transom. I think the deck is above the water line but with enough people in one rear corner it may not be and the lines crossed should prevent that issue. But I got lazy and didn't finish the install. The conditions so far I haven't seen a need yet so I never cut the holes in the transom and finished the installed. Hope to never get in a position where I need them but if I ever do get in a bind with water over the bow im not sure if the 1" lines would keep up or drain fast enough anyhow to get the water out. Im sure while under way they would help but if the engine stalled and the scuppers ended up under the water line they could work in the reverse unless check valves were installed. Maybe my laziness, lack of time or unwillingness to cut a new wood transom is tempting my fait. Like you said "done correctly" they would help more than hurt.
Probably safer to have them than to not. I didnt see my usage of my 20 needing them but in the right case scenario I may. I do agree any boat docked more than 30 mins or used offshore needs them where as I do neither in my 20 but you can never know what mother nature will throw at you either.