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[email protected] ohara5.0@mindspring.com is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jun 2007
Posts: 714
Default Low transoms and cockpit drains

On Aug 17, 4:06 pm, hk wrote:
wrote:
I dont want to cause a ruckus on this obviously touchy topic, but why
are some boats meant to be used offshore have low transoms? Is it bad
design or is there really a reason? On sailboats, so-called "sugar
scoop" transoms are popular on some modern boats with the reasoning
that it enables the cockpit to drain. This requires a seriously high
bridge deck into the cabin and I simply would not trust such a thing
offshore. I will admit my sailboat cockpit drains are too small.
On the subject of cockpit drains for powerboats, should one put more
effort in keeping water out or in draining the cockpit once it is in?
Currently, I have no large drain in my Tolman but am installing the
largest bilge pump I can find (3500 gph). I also have no decking
installed because I want to be able to see my hull and how much water
I have accumulated.


This is really funny. My "low transom" boat has a transom that is 25" at
its lowest point, and 36" outside of the motor notch. The 25" measure is
the standard for most single engine outboard boats that are not strictly
for inshore use.

A better question would be, why would those with boats with 25" transoms
and itty bitty motor wells think that one a large wave filled that well,
the water wouldn't keep coming aboard.

The transom cut-out on my boat will allow a hull partially filled with a
significant amount of water to drain.

Of course, you'd have to see the hull to appreciate its size and height.
SW Tom's 20-something Ranger would fit inside my 21' Parker, and, except
for the center console, would disappear.


Would it be the Size (volume) or height of the drywell that was most
important, I'd expect height to be most important. If ones boat is
filled by a following sea, will it drain fast enough to keep the next
one out?