What Makes a Seacraft Safer?

John R · #1 10-06-2003, 03:15 PM

Welcome to CS... Don't know what hull you have but the three things that come to mind are: Keeping water out of the boat, keeping air in the boat, and keeping the air and the water from swapping places [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ...

With that said;

1) Make positive that your motorwell seals in some way up to full transom height to prevent excessive water from entering at the notch.

2) Add aditional bilge pump capacity and redundancy in case water item one is not addressed well enough or water gets in anyway

3)If its an older boat, like most of us here, ensure that all your thruhulls are in good shape and your wiring is in good shape...

ocuyler · #2 10-06-2003, 03:23 PM

Welcome to CSC. I agree with John. I would add that when "making sure" your thru-hull fittings are in good shape, I would suggest you consider removing and replacing all of them near or below the waterline. Other than water coming in over the stern, which is the #1 reason a boat would sink, slow leaking thru-hull fittings will sink a boat at the slip or just plain give your bilge pumps a work-out.

When considering John's points, be sure to "perfect" each one before moving on.

I might add that many of these project boats are found to have leaking fuel tanks. Regardless of the type of power you have, there's no way that's good...

TUGBOAT · #3 10-06-2003, 05:50 PM

Ditto ! I also added 2 Bilge pumps 1500/2000.
When I took the top cap off ran new glass around the complete boat & reinforced all the corners.I had a NEW Bite with thru bolts every 2' then #10 screws between them.The rub rail also had some screw bite.The bolts 1.5" also gave me a place to run the wires w/ties.
I had 3 bow thru hulls break on Me ! I was filling this forward box thru hull up but there was no way to run the water out. I glassed inbetween the decks redrilled the hole & put a Bronze thru Hull.Only 2 trips on this ?
Everything else was said earlier above.
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

WTA123 · #4 10-07-2003, 01:50 AM

Hi, I knew to classic seacrafts and was wondering what modifications you make to your seacraft to make it safer. I plan on restoring a hull this winter and using it in long island sound. Any help would be great.

Thanks

WTA123 · #5 10-07-2003, 01:51 AM

(I'm, new to...)Sorry!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

FELLOW-SHIP · #6 10-07-2003, 09:41 AM

Ha WTA
Kind a depends on your Boat’s age & condition, what restoration work you are going to do on her, the size of your boat and the amount of $$ you are willing to part with. For general safety stuff - two batteries, two bilge pumps, VHF radio, possibly a cell phone, check the weather report before you go out + flairs, life jackets and etc. stuff. Oh yea don’t forget the beer.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Billybob · #7 10-07-2003, 04:49 PM

Hey WTA - Welcome aboard.Good to have another CT guy around here, I launch in Milford a lot myself.
I think the guys covered it - see ya at the ramp!
Bill