croakersmoker Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 I repowered my bayfisher 16 with a four stroke 90 last year and the added weight has my scuppers slightly below the water level. I have avoided leaving the boat in the water overnight since then. I have a trip coming up that will require me to leave her in the water for two nights. Before the repower, I would just leave the plugs out and let the deck drain overboard. Now it seams that I can do this, I will just constantly have an inch or two of water in the cockpit. I want to avoid having saltwater constantly in the boat. I like the way my boat is balanced, so I don't want to go moving batteries around. I have thought of a few solutions and am looking for input: 1) Pipe my scuppers to a 90 degree joint, thus raising them roughly an inch to avoid water flowing into the cockpit. I would think if rainwater gathered in the cockpit, after It goes over the joint, it would drain. 2) Drill holes in the cockpit gutter to allow rainwater to fall into the bilge and get pumped overboard. I would keep the scuppers plugged. 3) Get a cheap auto bilge pump and set it in the cockpit and rig the flow overboard, wire it on alligator clips. Rig it up after a day of fishing before bed and keep the scupper plugs in. If there are any solutions I am not thinking of, let me know! Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 50 minutes ago, croakersmoker said: 1) Pipe my scuppers to a 90 degree joint, thus raising them roughly an inch to avoid water flowing into the cockpit. I would think if rainwater gathered in the cockpit, after It goes over the joint, it would drain...too complex 2) Drill holes in the cockpit gutter to allow rainwater to fall into the bilge and get pumped overboard. I would keep the scuppers plugged...most likely will get caught in the foam and not drain. 3) Get a cheap auto bilge pump and set it in the cockpit and rig the flow overboard, wire it on alligator clips. Rig it up after a day of fishing before bed and keep the scupper plugs in....might work If there are any solutions I am not thinking of, let me know! Thanks in advance! Comments.... My solution...if you are only worried about a few trips a year where it sits over night....go to home cheap and buy 4 (40 lb) bags of sand and place them on the bow to lift the stern up to allow the scuppers to be above the water line.... dc 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted May 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 @Wanaflatsfish This is what I was thinking for option 1) I think your suggestion would work well if we were staying at a camp. We will be camping at an island chain 20 miles offshore, and I will be bringing surplus fuel and camping equipment. I don't want to add the weight of sand bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted May 10, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 @Wanaflatsfish I'll try both options one day after work and see what works. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 Move coolers and weight to the bow when you tie up for the night. Add stuff till the scuppers rise ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 That 90 degree idea should work as long as you got them to seal in the scupper hole. And like Mod said… keeping a cooler way up on the bow may solve your issue as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 Moving things fwd is good idea. Nt thrilled with the 90 pipe. Have used small pump with auto switch with clips a few times on another boat. My grandson in law feels the same as you with his 18 RF leaving in water while camping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 If you don't like the weight movement to the front go with plugging scuppers at night and get the aux bilge pump with a float, wire pigtail to reach batteries. could come in handy one day if you get in a jam to pump the boat out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croakersmoker Posted May 11, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 @George Seither I think that’s the route I’m going to take. I think I’ll avoid the float switch and go with an automatic pump. I just don’t want to worry about mounting the switch. I don’t think an auto pump could drain my battery overnight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Should work just fine, store it in the boat for backup! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim33042 Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 From personal experience, I can vouch for rule mate.. I've been using this model for years(1100), but for less money you could go with the 500 or 800 for your purpose. amazon... Rule Mate Fully Automated, Water Sensing Bilge Pump https://a.co/d/aIKhYNK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 22 hours ago, croakersmoker said: We will be camping at an island chain 20 miles offshore, and I will be bringing surplus fuel and camping equipment. I don't want to add the weight of sand bags. Borrow stuff from other boats to put on the bow and raise the scuppers....the boat is designed to self bail....if you are brining coolers, fuel, etc...it should be enough weight to lift the stern after you take out all your weight from under the seat.... The "bilge" inside the gunnels is a something you might want to do no matter what. I have seen (over the past 20 years of fishing Chokoloskee), boats sunk at the dock due to failed bilge pumps or clogged scuppers....it's amazing how much water will fill the inside of your skiff when it's pouring for 2-3 hours straight. The water will fill the inside of the deck and then go into the console and down the chase....any chance your bilge is not 100% and you underwater.... I"m all for plugs when you are in the boat and you are under power.....but, bad things can happen at night or even during the day....the Idea of the 90 degree pipe could also be a disaster if you are into a heavy rain...you are mostly considering water entering when at rest....consider the rain.... DC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Never had any boat that was not in the water 24/7. Never had a problem even during hurricanes and rains lasting hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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