surfinjoe
New Member
I am thinking about trying to make my cockpit self bailing. Has anyone ever installed scuppers with check balls in them? I found one online that says its good for discharge below the waterline. Just wondering how well they work.
Self Bailing 220 SD (2007)
- Thread starter surfinjoe
- Start date
No, do not use them below the waterline. It doesn't take much for the check balls (they're basically neutral-buoyant ping-pong balls) to get fouled - whether with growth or debris in the water. If the cockpit floor isn't high enough to warrant self draining, I would forget about this mod. Putting a second (mounted slightly higher than the one already there) bilge pump in would probably be a better solution.
If your floor is that close, then absolutely don't do it. Think of it this way... You have a few extra people in the back of the boat, maybe on the swim platform... Now the cockpit floor is lower than waterline. If those check balls don't do their job, now the entire lake is going to funnel it's way INTO your boat as the incoming water keeps adding more and more weight. You're putting your entire investment (boat) and people's safety in the hands of a couple ping pong balls. Or, what if you do take a wave over the bow - that again is extra weight and instead of the wave simply settling down into the bilge and letting your pumps do their job, you again have the lake coming into your boat faster and faster. I'm open to hearing other viewpoints on this, but that's where my head is at.
Without trying to sound condescending (I do like the intentions of you're trying to do) I honestly think you're overthinking this. However... I hate to give you more "food for thought" on this matter since I really don't think it's necessary, but google "crash pumps" in regards to turning your engine into a high capacity water pump.
Without trying to sound condescending (I do like the intentions of you're trying to do) I honestly think you're overthinking this. However... I hate to give you more "food for thought" on this matter since I really don't think it's necessary, but google "crash pumps" in regards to turning your engine into a high capacity water pump.
Last edited:
Chris Nowell
Active Member
- Nov 28, 2011
- 1,520
- Boat Info
- '05 622 Hardtop w Alaska Bulkhead, 270 Mercury Marine sport inflatable, pulled by a 6.0L Silverado
- Engines
- 4.3 MPI Merc w Alpha I drive, 5 hp 4 stroke Merc aux.
I would think that if you did stuff the bow and take on enough water to submerge the new scuppers, then the pressure from the outside would be greater than the pressure from the inside and the check valves would prevent the scuppers from doing their job.????? :huh:
surfinjoe
New Member
I have done some research on crash pumps. I guess I am over thinking it a bit like you said. I just know that (2) bildge pumps isn't going to pump water out that fast. That being said, I have taken some waves over the bow and never had an issue with the pumps not keeping up. It seems like 1 wave over the bow takes about 10-20 seconds to pump out with one pump. With two pumps it only takes 10-15 seconds (of course the size of the waves can differ). I have tested my pumps at the boat launch and if the drain plug is out two pumps can keep up so I guess I am good. It's winter here in Michigan so maybe I am just looking for things to mess with since the lates are frozen now 
surfinjoe
New Member
Good point!
Chris Nowell
Active Member
- Nov 28, 2011
- 1,520
- Boat Info
- '05 622 Hardtop w Alaska Bulkhead, 270 Mercury Marine sport inflatable, pulled by a 6.0L Silverado
- Engines
- 4.3 MPI Merc w Alpha I drive, 5 hp 4 stroke Merc aux.
We had a similar issue with our Monaro. These boats are designed and built as all weather commuter boats on the West Coast. The problem for us was that any water taken into the cockpit had to find it's way through a small 1 1/4" hole in the floor with a grate over it, and then rely on the bilge pumps to pump it overboard. In the unlikely event that water did come over the gunwales or the bow it was a MUST to keep the boat oriented into the waves in such a way as to prevent more water coming on board for the time that it took to drain whatever water was already in there. Every so often you do get into situations where the wake from a large tug, ferry, or cruiser can collide with the swell and waves from the wind and create very steep and confused seas. This is where good piloting and reliable onboard systems combine to keep the vessel afloat and everyone safe. We've seen the occasional idiots out there who seem to be purposely trying to stuff the bow but they probably have given little or no thought to the principals of heavy moving objects floating in deep water. Good piloting skills are a must if you are going to subject your boat to conditions that approach the limit of their design. Keep safe.
Chris Nowell
Active Member
- Nov 28, 2011
- 1,520
- Boat Info
- '05 622 Hardtop w Alaska Bulkhead, 270 Mercury Marine sport inflatable, pulled by a 6.0L Silverado
- Engines
- 4.3 MPI Merc w Alpha I drive, 5 hp 4 stroke Merc aux.
It's winter here in Michigan so maybe I am just looking for things to mess with since the lates are frozen now
I hear you. This is how wired to boating we are; when we had a house with a garage, we would park the cars outside in the snow so we could keep the boat in the garage and still sit on it and have bbqs and drink wine. Now THAT"S madness.:smt021
Woody
Well-Known Member
Once the water in the cockpit gets high enough it'll run out under the transom door, kinda self bailing.:lol:
Chris Nowell
Active Member
- Nov 28, 2011
- 1,520
- Boat Info
- '05 622 Hardtop w Alaska Bulkhead, 270 Mercury Marine sport inflatable, pulled by a 6.0L Silverado
- Engines
- 4.3 MPI Merc w Alpha I drive, 5 hp 4 stroke Merc aux.
Never thought of that. I guess if one was to leave the transom door open it could serve as a large scupper; except if you were hit by a wave from astern,,,,ooops.
