What Does "Self Bailing" Mean for a 18-ft Center Console?
I would like to know how a 18-ft center console to be able to
self-bailing.I have just owned a 1995 Sea Ray 18-ft Laguna center console. One of
its feature is a self-bailing fiberglass hull. How does the self
bailing work in the context of this center console? I see that there is very low freeboard in the stern area (like 6
inches). I suppose most of the water that goes over the bow onto the
deck will flow back into the sea through the stern because there is
nothing to stop the water from flowing out. This should work if the
boat is managed to be on plane and the bow is tilting up slightly to
move all the water to the stern area. I also see that there are two one-way valves on the deck level right at
the edge of the stern to drain what little water remaining on the deck
out to the sea. And I also see that it has a bilge pump in the bilge area near the
stern of the boat. I suppose water that somehow finds its way into the
bilge area will be pumped away. Are these what "Self Bailing" means? There is not any other holes on the hull to drain water out. I am asking this because I would like to add a splashwell near the
stern area to prevent water from getting onto the deck when the boat is
in idle or when I drive the boat backward. But I don't want this
splashwell to defect the purpose of "Self Bailing". Therefore, I want
to understand how this "Self Baiting" works before I add the
splashwell. Thanks in advance for any info. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Dec 6
2005
|
| They work quite well. Just be sure to get one that's big enough to reach
over your gunwales. |
Doug
Dec 7
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| Thanks. I will keep this requirement in mind. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Dec 7
|
| Add to your shopping list one of those grey plastic manual bilge pumps.
Every boat should have one. Even if you never need to bail the boat, they
can come in handy when you have a big bucket of lively panfish and you need
to transfer some fresh water INTO the bucket from the outside. Much easier
than hoisting the bucket into the water, at which point the fish will jump
out, you'll lean over to gawk at the spectacle, your glasses will fall in
the water, followed by you, your wallet and your keys. All for the lack of a
manual bilge pump. :-) |
Doug
Dec 7
|
| Thanks for the clarification. This means I should not consider the |
jaykchan
Dec 7
|
| Jay,
I can tell you are very obsessive (and I mean that in a good way) when you
take on new hobbies or ventures. The NG is an OK way to get info, but you
really need to find some new friends who are experienced boaters/fisherman
you can go fishing and boating with.
Check out the power squadron and USCGAUX courses. You will probably get an
insurance discount, provide you with some basics, and find some new friends
to go boating with.
http://www.usps.org/d_stuff/classes.html http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html <jaykchan@hotmail.com> wrote in message |
Lord
Dec 7
|
| Yes, I have seen it before in a marine supply store. No, I will use a
cut off plastic milk jar for putting water into a livewell. But I can
see the value of using a manual bilge pump to pump out the water from
the bilge area in case the bilge pump fails. Thanks. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Dec 7
|
| Just to clear this up a bit, your boat itself is NOT "self bailing"!
The cockpit (the area where you can walk around) of your boat my be
"self bailing" through the one-way scuppers in the transom as long as
they dont get clogged or when water runs out over the cut-out in the
transom. Since you have a bildge with a bildge pump, your bildge is
only "self bailing" for as long as the pump and float switch operates
correectly. I would consider this as part of the "self bailing" feature
of your boat. You should NOT be counting on water rushing out over the cut-out in the
transom! Why do you have that much water in this boat? Why are you
backing down so hard that the water is coming in the boat over the
transom? What make boat is this and what size engine is on it? Where
are you running this boat? I would not consider blocking the cutout in the transom, not a good
idea. |
coxswain
Dec 7
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| Thanks for the confirmation. This means the bilge pump is not a part
of self-bailing because it will fail if it runs out of power. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Dec 7
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| I hear you. I intend to only put at most 4 adults on the boat and the
boat is supposed to be able to handle 6 persons (max), and the stern
was clear of any water when I had a sea trial with the boat with 4
adults on board. I think I am OK with that. I am just not very sure
about what will happen if the boat is idling and waves start kicking up
but I really want to catch the last fish of the day. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Dec 7
|
| >self-bailing. Just remember that if you load the boat to the point that the
scuppers go under it is self sinking. |
gfretwell
Dec 7
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| This is the self-bailing aspect of your boat. |
Lord
Dec 6
|
| Self bailing means water will drain out of the boat on its own accord
through openings in the transom, usually at deck level or just above it. In practice this means that if the boat is balanced properly (not down
at the bow), rainwater will drain out on its own accord if the boat is
at anchor or tied up at a marina, and, if you are running and take on
some water, it will drain out these same openings without your having to
do anything. Some older Makos had a deck flush with the cut out of the transom
opening. Any water that came aboard will whoosh right out. Most boats
nowadays that are self-bailing have round or rectangular transom
openings to allow water out. Do not block these in any way. |
Harry
Dec 6
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| Self bailing is a feature which some of us wish the current president would
adopt. Sorry. I just couldn't help it. |
Doug
Dec 6
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| I don't understand this. Am I missing something? |
jaykchan
Dec 6
|
| In that case, the very low freeboard in the stern and those two one-way |
jaykchan
Dec 6
|
| You're very welcome. |
Harry
Dec 6
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| Jay,
Any combination of low freeboard or scuppers that do not require any
mechanical device to remove the water, is self bailing. <jaykchan@hotmail.com> wrote in message |
Lord
Dec 6
|
