Automatic bilge drain and raw water pump bracket question

[Mike Harry]

2 questions.....

1. Im thinking about putting a drain hole in the back of the boat. I have seen a few models that supposedly allow for draining while the boat is in motion and close up when the boat is sitting at idle.

A. would/could anyone reccomend one of these models, and please name a specific one
B. do they work at all? I dont want to do it if it wont work, but it sure sounds nice to me......

2. The bracket that holds my raw water pump in place broke..... is there a cheaper place to get one than skidim at $30.00? Mine must have been old school style, it was welded roundbar and I could tell it was stock not some made up deal...... now it appears they are flat bar and it looks to be tempered by the color of it.

Thanks for all yall's help once again.....
Mike
P.S. she is running great, just working out a few kinks here and there as I expected it would be.

[brandon]

Mike,
I think what you are talking about is called a scupper valve.  I don't have any recommendations on them, but I think you are either taking on too much water from something that needs to be fixed, or you are just being too worried about having water in your bilge.  If you really want a drain in the back, I think the style with the brass tube that you insert in the hole you drilled and then use the expanding rubber plug would work just fine, that's what mine has on it (guessing that was factory).  It you don't like the idea of the rubber plug, you could get the type with the threaded brass plug and the flange screws to the transom (many stern drive boats use this style).  I would be worried that a scupper valve style would fail over time and sink your boat.  I believe they are designed actually for draining water that becomes trapped above deck and not below the waterline.  The sea doo jet boats used them to drain the bathtub you sat in while riding in one.

[Mike Harry]

Interesting..... I'm getting alot of water cause the kids like swimming... and they like getting in and out, over and over again. I also still need to adjust my packing as well. Not a huge thing, I was just wondering what might have been avaliable since 1986. I've always only owned older boats

[brandon]

Someone may have more experience with those valves and they may work fine for what you want to do, I just have a fear that something would get stuck holding the valve open and sink the boat.  I think putting in a regular transom drain in would satisfy what you want to accomplish, but you won't be draining all the water out of the bilge untill the boat is on the trailer or lift.  I think the parts to do that are fairly cheap ($15-25). 

[brandon]

P.S.
Don't blame all the water on the kids, I'm sure you've jumped in a time or two!

[Joel]

Mike,  Brandon is correct as usual.  Scuppers are typically used in open boats to drain water that is trapped on deck (as in a wave) and they can be found where the gunnel meets the deck  - above the waterline.  I would install a transom drain with a brass or plastic screw plug (mine has a black plastic screw plug with expandable wire "retainer" so it doesnt get lost - pretty handy).  Still wont be able to drain the boat until your on the trailer, but it does help to get some of the water out when your leaving the boat ramp & going home.

Underway I think your just gonna have to "suck it up" (literally) by running your bilge pump a little more often.  You might want to tell the kids to drip dry a bit on the swim platform if your taking on THAT much water...  I have the same issues and am surprised how much water those rascals bring onboard especially when my wife pulls the tube in the boat without draining the water out first...   

[RonT]

Sounds to me like the boat is being used as intended...having fun! Don't use the scupper or duck bills below the waterline for obvious reasons. I really like the black plastic thread in plugs with a o-ring seal & stainless wire "keeper" that allows you to trailer home with the plug dangling. I install alot of these & they are inexpensive. BE CAREFULL WHEN DRILLING THROUGH THE TRANSOM the hole will be higher above the bottom than you think as viewed from the outside. I always drill a pilot hole (1/8") to seewhere it comes through on the inside which allows me to "adjust" if needed up or down before sending the hole saw through.