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

wrote in message
oups.com...
I would like to know how a 18-ft center console to be able to
self-bailing.

This is the self-bailing aspect of your boat.

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.

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.

This is not considered self bailing, and is the reason you have the bilge
pump.


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

wrote in message
oups.com...
I would like to know how a 18-ft center console to be able to
self-bailing.

Self bailing is a feature which some of us wish the current president would
adopt.

Sorry. I just couldn't help it.

I would like to know how a 18-ft center console to be able to
self-bailing.

This is the self-bailing aspect of your boat.

I don't understand this. Am I missing something?

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.

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.

This is not considered self bailing, and is the reason you have the bilge
pump.

If neither of these considered as part of "self bailing", then, what
may contribute to the "self bailing" feature in the boat?

Jay Chan

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.

In that case, the very low freeboard in the stern and those two one-way
valves in the stern should be a part of the self-bailing feature in my
boat assuming that the boat is balancing properly (and it is). Thanks.

Some older Makos had a deck flush with the cut out of the transom
opening. Any water that came aboard will whoosh right out.

No, my boat is not like that.

Most boats nowadays that are self-bailing have round or
rectangular transom openings to allow water out. Do not
block these in any way.

My boat has two round openings at the transom flush with the deck to
allow water on the deck to drain out. And No I will not block it. I
will clean them and remove any fallen leaves in that area.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Jay Chan

Jay,
Any combination of low freeboard or scuppers that do not require any
mechanical device to remove the water, is self bailing.


wrote in message
ups.com...
I would like to know how a 18-ft center console to be able to
self-bailing.

This is the self-bailing aspect of your boat.

I don't understand this. Am I missing something?

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.

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.

This is not considered self bailing, and is the reason you have the bilge
pump.

If neither of these considered as part of "self bailing", then, what
may contribute to the "self bailing" feature in the boat?

Jay Chan

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.

Any combination of low freeboard or scuppers that do not require any
mechanical device to remove the water, is self bailing.

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

Just remember that if you load the boat to the point that the
scuppers go under it is self sinking.

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

wrote in message
oups.com...
Any combination of low freeboard or scuppers that do not require any
mechanical device to remove the water, is self bailing.

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


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. :-)