Help Me I'm Sinking!!!

Bmoney1209 · #1 10-05-2002, 03:27 AM

Hello all!! This is my first post, and a "draining" one it is. I have a SC 18'6 1977. Awesome boat, don't want to trade it for anything. "BUT". The damn thing is hard to keep above water. I have installed a splash well that works very well. The boat is just so ass heavy. I repowered with a 2000 Johnson 150. When I'm out 20 miles and it's 3 to 4 it gets kinda hairy. Is there any other simple modifications I can do to solve this problem? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I've almost went down twice offshore. Both times bildge problems. I just installed a new bildge, and am in the process of installing another. I'm sick of sinking!! I'd rather fish. Great web site!!!

Reel Smoker · #2 10-05-2002, 06:49 AM

SC,I would close the transom and install a POSITIVE FLOTATION bracket this should help. RS.

Mark · #3 10-05-2002, 08:46 AM

SC77,

I've got the same boat, same year model. In addition, I have a heavier engine than you do. Is there something else going on besides a bilge pump problem? and how is that much water getting into the bilge?

I put my engine on a jack plate type bracket which moved the engine back about six inches. This allowed a substantially higher splash well level (well, about 4 inches higher anyway). I'll try to email you a photo of that feature directly, as I don't know how to add a shot to this reply.

mark

bmaj319 · #4 10-05-2002, 09:33 AM

I too have the same boat, only a year older. I have the LOW cut transom (20"), with a Suzuki 140 hp four stroke on it that weighs a little over 400 pounds. The real question is how/when/why is the water getting into your boat?

When I back into ANY slop at all (even 6" ripples when launching), green water comes pouring in, unless I have the splash board up (I don't have the splash well, which takes up an awful lot of room all the time). Of course you have to remember to drop it before you tilt the motor, or you'll hear a nasty crunching sound.

The other situation where I ship water is when running fairly hard into 2-3' seas. Every once in a while the boat meets a wave just right, and a sheet of water comes right at me, and winds up in the bildge.

I moved to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands a couple of months ago, and had a problem with my bilge pump (brand new automatic Rule 1200 gph) last weekend. That experience convinced me that an old fashioned, manual bilge pump is the next thing on the "to do" list.

Good luck, and hang in there, I don't think you'll find a sweeter riding 18 with any other nameplate on it!

Bmoney1209 · #5 10-06-2002, 05:40 PM

Hey thanks for all the advice! I think the bracket idea sounds good. This seems the only way to raise the boat a few inches. I think the water is seeping around the splash well. I made it a slide out and its not totally water tight. The water is running into the livewell and then into the bildge. Next step is to seal that baby up!!. thanks again

Bmoney1209 · #6 11-05-2002, 03:34 PM

I opted to go without the bracket. I figured it would just get in the way while fishing. I did install another bildge pump. I also made sure the access hatch in the splash well was nice and watertight. No more sinking for me, that last time I thought my boat was going to be a reef! No leaks so far. Of course where i live you're always going to take a wave over the back and need the pumps. I'm so glad to see this site taking off! I have learned so much from it.
Happy Boating

Briguy · #7 11-05-2002, 03:47 PM

Make sure all of your connections are heat shrink wrapped. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Also, where is your battery? Hopefully under the console. I keep 2 1500 gph bilge pumps in my 23'cc for peace of mind!

PressureDrop · #8 11-05-2002, 06:56 PM

is the 18 a self bailing model? should the water be draining out scuppers or do they sit to low in the water? in redoing my 20, im contemplating leaving the scuppers in, and if i do leave them in i will have a valve so that they are closed at the dock, any thoughts?

Ben

Bmoney1209 · #9 11-06-2002, 04:23 PM

Well unfortunately my battery is at the back of the boat. I have my oil tank under the console. The boat used to have two batteries, but due to the weight "issues" I elected to go with the one. Seems to work fine. Ben, it does not have scuppers at the transom so it must sit too low for self bailing. In the aft corners I do have two drain hole plugs that drain straight into the bildge. The problem with that is leaves and any other crap can get into the bildge unless these are plugged. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I leave them plugged unless I'm out on the water. I really don't know too much about the 20' to answer your question, sorry. I bet someone else on here does!!

Brian