18 help scuppers and overboard drain

[Greno]

My boat (1979) is in great shape except for the floors, but I will get a few years out of them before I do anything. I have a question about scuppers. I am a fanatic about taking water over the stern as it sits very low with the motor well. I am about to build a splashboard for the motor well as the piece of plywood that came on my boat is not adequate to me. The scuppers have been filled with 5200, but as I have gathered on this site all they did is drain to the bilge anyway. Has anyone ever made a small reservoir and pumped the water overboard from the scupper. I plan on finishing removeal of the livewell in the floor (have only knocked out the stern portion) and will have room for another pump when I do this. The only issue I mentally have with this boat is the scuppers and lack of overboard drains, except to the motor well of course. Has anyone done this. I am thinking about running out the same line as one of the bilge pumps, but setting check valves or just running another line out. I just want to be able to get water out as quickly as possible. Am I being too crazy. We get really erratic/choppy seas here in the bay and northern gulf.

Eric

[makade]

On my boat I have the splashwell sealed up. I have a drain on each corner that I keep plugs in unless I'm running, or in the ICW. Mine is a 77 and I don't have any other drains than out the splashwell. Any water will drain thru my livewell into the bilge. Not a self-bailer but what boat is perfect?

[uncleboo]

Mine is the same. I recently posted that I found the original molded splaswell bulkhead that came on the boat and it originally had wide drains. Someone cut some 3/8" plexiglass to seal the wide holes and drilled holes in the plexiglass for plugs so they could seal when at rest.

[Greno]

Can you post lots of photos of the well?

[uncleboo]

Should be able to get some pictures this afternoon. The sun finally came out this week!!! I'll try to get the pics on by tomorrow a.m.

[uncleboo]

Hope this helps. I'm going to repair the factory splashwell and install this spring. I like the looks of it and I'm tired of having to remember to open the door before tilting the motor up. You can see the scratches on the motor cover. (I wasn't the first to do it). I'm not too worried about the loss of deck space because what I lose there, I made up, partially, by replacing the pedestal seat with a small pedestal leaning post. I'll see how it goes and, if I don't like it, I'll change it. I 'm going to move the battery out of the starboard compartment in the stern and relocate under the front portion of the console and change to a dual battery system. This will help with COG and ease some weight off of the stern. I was having a little trouble loading the boat. That 1 battery had the COG off enough to make the port side ride up on the bunk too high. I just need some free time to get this done!!!

[deepsushi]

Uncleboo --

Is the only problem with your current splashboard setup the issue with the motor hitting the closed gate?

I was considering building a similar splashboard that you have to my 18. Do you feel it needs to be as tall as it is currently? Are there any other problems with the splashboard setup?

[uncleboo]

Yes, remembering the door is the only problem with it. It is a little high for me and, unless you're in the ocean alot, you might be able to go shorter. I don't take alot of chances so I don't need it that high and I intend to improve this further when I put 2 batteries under the console. I could make out fine leaving the door open, but, then I have a trip hazard. Also, I'm a nostalgic guy and like the factory splashwell.

[Greno]

Thanks for the photos. I have dual batteries under the console and I am about to get back to finish cutting out the baitwell for bilge access, but the new project is my pointer has chewed through the wiring harness to the engine so I will get to pull a new one and rewire the console as a nice side project. I may make a splashwell similar to your old one. That is much better than mine. I also have 2 scuppers cut into the floor in front of the motor well. If I only knew how to post pics. I am also going to put ping pong balls on the motor well just in case. My boat will be used in the Gulf so I am talking all the preventative steps I can to increase bouyancy at the stern. The last heavy object I have is the oil tank which will be blocked off and I am going to start mixing fuel after I figure out how big the tank is.

[Greno]

One more question. What is your bilge access like in your motor well. Mine is an aluminum plate screwed to the glass. I am thinking of glassing the hole up and installed a sealed access port.