Self Bailing Deck

[bobr338]

When previous owner of my 79 18' redid the transom he never drilled holes through the transom for the deck to self bail...Instead he cut two small holes in deck which drain into the bilge. Not ideal for obvious reasons and needs to be changed. Additionally there is also a hole below water line in the side of hull, rigged for livewell to drain but never finished.

Could I, would it make sense to, plumb the 2 holes in the deck and tie them into the livewell drain referred to above? I can't think of a downside but looking for feedback.

[bumpdraft]

Wow, I can't imagine. If you happen to take a wave over the bow (or transom) you have to ride around while the water trickles into bilge. Does water actually drain out below waterline out the side. Picture?

[bobr338]

Exactly. Water trickles into the bilge and pump evacuates. All around bad design....I know plenty of boats do not self bail and drain into bilge, but I don't want mine to be one of them. I might be selling in the Spring, and for peace of mind want the boat to be as safe as possible.

Water does drain out the fitting below water line. If you were to connect a livewell to the plumbing it would drain just fine. Currently the hose that's connected is above deck, so no water can come in the boat. I would think the gravity of connecting the hose to both floor drains would function in the same manner. One might also say just cut a couple holes in the transom......but with an hpdi on the heavier side I prefer option A.

[bumpdraft]

There's plenty of boats on the bottom of the sea and I don't want mine to be one of them either. Seriously though, I can see the hole in the side draining with an above deck live well, but unless the deck has been raised, I don't know about those holes draining much. I do know that on several occasions, I had to go straight into waves while going in and out of the inlet here and I wanted that 4 or 5 inches of water that I took on, out of the boat as fast as possible. Maybe somebody else here has some input.

[bobr338]

No question I want to do it right. The idea will most likely get tossed in favor of transom drains.

[FLexpat]

These are great if you have the room and can flush mount them.
http://www.gemlux.com/catalog/Deck-Drains/89501

[martin]

I used the gemlux and modified them to fit my needs..I ended up installing them vertically instead of underdeveloped like they are designed.. it works for me..

[martin]

I used the gemlux and modified them to fit my needs..I ended up installing them vertically instead of under deck like they are designed.. it works for me..

[Bushwacker]

Danny and Trader - looks like we just picked up another spammer!