damp feet in an 18

redsonfly · #1 10-21-2010, 04:00 PM

Short of raising the floor in the 18, what fixes have worked the best on a 1989 model year boat (drain through transom)?
Has anyone tied the port cockpit drain to the starboard through hull drain the way others have done on the 23's? Is there enough room to do that?
motor is a 130 hp yamaha 2 stroke v4, batteries in the console, oil tank in port reach down area of transom (below the drop in bucket).
Things I am considering are to silicone seal off the rear molded in bait well and going to the TH marine ball scuppers... Any other suggestions?

76Red18 · #2 10-21-2010, 09:34 PM

Use those scuppers but a little water will still eventually find it way in. Let it drain into the well and pump it out with a 500 gph auto pump. run the hose and wiring through the drain in the well to a thru hull fitting. Seal the well drain with 5200 to keep the bilge dry. Its the only way I've been able to keep my feet dry. Mines a 76 but should be similar.

uncleboo · #3 10-22-2010, 08:48 AM

This was in mine when I bought it, (still there).

I keep plugs in all the time unless running. I hit the bilge pump occasionally to make sure the bilge is empty. My Suzuki supposedly weighs 410 lbs., so, mine IS low in the stern. However, the water stays behind this bulkhead. I have my original molded splashwell and plan on putting it back on as soon as I recore it. When I do, I'm filling in the wide drains on the well and put drain plugs in so I can control the inflow. You might think of doing that. A PO attached some 3/8" plexiglass with 5200 to cover the wide drains, then drilled holes to accept drainplugs. THAT would be a quick fix, something you could undo.

uncleboo · #4 10-22-2010, 09:14 AM

Just found this pic.

redsonfly · #5 10-22-2010, 06:26 PM

Hi, Uncleboo!
I did a search back 5 years and came across your pics and ideas, but my boat has a different configuration than yours, it is the tracker model and it has a scupper out the back and a 25 inch transom.
My problem isn't water in the motor well, a problem that you and 76Red18 have seemed to address so capably, but water coming in thrugh the scuppers that have "one way" flaps on them and intruding into the cockpit.
I keep my molded livewell plugged, but when it's full it adds another 150 pounds to the stern of the boat, exacerbating the already tenuous low deck problem.
I am going to add the auto bilge pump as suggested by 76Red18 into the molded in well, and I think a pair or possibly a quad of the ball type scuppers will keep most of the water out.
Thank you so much for the ideas!
Redsonfly

gofastsandman · #6 10-23-2010, 09:39 AM

The RayBud ping pong scuppers work well on my Slacker 20. Far better than flappers.
Mr. Moesly crossed the scupper lines which is a very clever solution as well.

Cheers,
GFS

redsonfly · #7 10-23-2010, 09:56 PM

Crossing the lines is brilliant, I am just wondering if there is enough room in a tracker 18 to do so. Is the idea to use PVC and fittings or just use high quality water hose?

gofastsandman · #8 10-23-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Crossing the lines is brilliant, I am just wondering if there is enough room in a tracker 18 to do so. Is the idea to use PVC and fittings or just use high quality water hose?

Some folks like marelon.

I like bronze. Green is my favorite color.

eggsuckindog · #9 10-25-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Crossing the lines is brilliant, I am just wondering if there is enough room in a tracker 18 to do so. Is the idea to use PVC and fittings or just use high quality water hose?

Some folks like marelon.

I like bronze. Green is my favorite color.

Are those a couple of local strippers or something?

redsonfly · #10 10-25-2010, 12:36 PM

Does anyone have a diagram on the criss cross fix for scuppers on a later model (drain through transom) seacraft that would work in the 18?
I would appreciate a schematic, even if drawn by a local green stripper, whatever that is. grin))