SEA RAY 2005 290 SLX -What is purpose of scuppers?

[scottfitz10]

I have 4 Scuppers -2 on each side of boat 1.5" holes -3/4 of the way toward the back of the boat -but they are right at water level when not moving on plane -that are apparently designed to drain incoming water spray -but when you have 4-5 people on swim platform at a bay or waves hitting backside of boat at dock allows water to enter these scuppers and the bilge pumps will run -I am planning on blocking off these scuppers from the inside so water can not enter from the O/S of boat - does anyone know of any reason why they should not be blocked off?

 

[Woody]

I have 4 Scuppers -2 on each side of boat 1.5" holes -3/4 of the way toward the back of the boat -but they are right at water level when not moving on plane -that are apparently designed to drain incoming water spray -but when you have 4-5 people on swim platform at a bay or waves hitting backside of boat at dock allows water to enter these scuppers and the bilge pumps will run -I am planning on blocking off these scuppers from the inside so water can not enter from the O/S of boat - does anyone know of any reason why they should not be blocked off?

If I understand you correctly those four thru hull fittings should be for the cockpit floor drains they shouldn’t be able to let water directly into the bilge. If they’re able to do that how would they be able to drain the cockpit floor. Have you followed the hoses from the thru hull fittings to see where they go? If water from the outside can enter the holes and pour into the bilge triggering the pumps it sounds like something isn’t hooked up or…the water might be leaking in around the thru hull fittings not thru them. Grab the fittings from the inside, try turning and wiggling them, are they at all loose? Do you see any signs of caulk around/under them? How do you know the water comes in through them, have you visually verified this? Have you verified which pump runs? Are your thru hulls like those in this illustration? You have a sump farther forward that collects water from the head sink and head floor, maybe a few people on the swim platform cause the water laying in these lines to run to the sump triggering that pump. I would not just block them off but you do need to identify exactly what’s happening and correct it. Unless you've seen water pouring thru them into the bilge I have my doubts that it's happening. What condition are your drive bellows in?
http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_23_74DEJAKVR79.pdf

 

[scottfitz10]

I have now plugged these 4 scuppers and then have vacuumed out the water in bilge and for the first time in two years since I have owned this boat the bilge stays bone dry. The waves coming in to the dock hitting -splashing up on the side of the dock would splash a little water each time into the scuppers and flowing into the bilge. The sump pump would run every 1/2 Hr or so -contineously - -right now bilge is staying dry. I think problem solved.

 

[Prater]

Those are the cockpit liner drains. If there is not a flapper inside them then it really is not a scupper but just a bulkhead drain. It will flow water both ways but still important for the water to drain through them. If there is a good length of hose connecting the floor liner to the thru hull you can install an inline check valve. I installed them on my 220DA shower pump since its thru hull was close to the waterline. It will allow water to only go one way in the line keeping the water out of your cockpit but allowing water to flow from the cockpit and out the thru hull drain.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1903/Check-Valves-Plastic/check%20valve/1

 

[Blueone]

Steve.. I like the looks of that. I have the same problem with my thru hull fitting letting water back in to the floor when coming off plane.
Do you know if the valve without the spring would be adequate for my application? would the valve open enough to allow it to drain with gravity only

 

[Dave S]

Scottfitz10
What did you do with the hoses? Are they lying in the bilge? If so you will be draining any rain water or wash down water from your cockpit into your bilge. If you plugged the hoses without removing them then water will remain in the bilge with no place to drain.


Blueone
You should only be having that problem with the rear scupper in the cockpit which drains to the starboard side. I had the same problem with my 2002 240SD. I did plug that thru hull for that reason after I disconnected the hose from the cockpit scupper. The trade off is any water draining to that scupper from the cockpit will then go into the bilge.


Dave

 

[Prater]

I use the one without the spring and never had a problem. The ones with the spring will need a pump to push the ball open. You can also buy thru hulls with the scupper inside. I think Amazon.com has them.

 

[Blueone]

Dave your right mostly on Starboard side... but this past week had some water come through the port side as well. I am going to try buying a couple valves will post the results

Thanks! for the feedback... Good post

 

[Prater]

Just make sure the water flow is correct. I watched a video of a sportfish that sank backing down on a sailfin. They replace the the drain scuppers and installed them backwards. They had taken on so much water backing down the pumps could not keep up...doubt that would happen with just drains, but still an important lessen.