posted 07-08-2010 04:28 PM ET (US)            

Does it fill with water when you are stopped (at the dock) or when you are under way?

I think you need to find a second person to ride along and see if you can find the source of water coming aboard - it could be splash back over the transom, it could be spray if it's during rough conditions, etc.

Also, inspect very carefully around the drain tubes and scuppers for any voids or open cracks where sealant may have pulled away.

posted 07-08-2010 05:04 PM ET (US)            

Bilges are bilges - they almost always have some amount of water in them. Obviously, if it is FULL, that is a real problem.

I am not familiar with that hull to tell you where the "problem points" might be - but I stand by my assessment.

posted 07-08-2010 06:58 PM ET (US)            

This shows that year and model should have an insulated, in-deck storage or fishbox as standard equipment.

http://web.archive.org/web/20000304195358/www.whaler.com/Boats/ outrage17.html

posted 07-08-2010 07:36 PM ET (US)            

Part 72 is the: thru-hull, PVC Press fit and part 73 is the: nut PVC retaining Thru-hull and part 75 is the: clamshell. I know this happens occaisionally and sinks lesser boats, but I don’t know how likely it is. Maybe the clamshell was torn off and damaged part 72. If that is the case is the fix very difficult?

The only way to know for sure is to be inspecting that area as you put the boat in the water with the plug in.

posted 07-09-2010 10:31 AM ET (US)            

I agree with Super Dave Buckda, haul out and resemble trim as much as possible, let the trailer and hull drip dry until next morning. I mean, you probably need to haul out to patch it anyway. ADD a lot of water inside the boat, let set for a hour, look for a puddle of water on the ground, follow to the source, patch, splash and go.

posted 07-12-2010 08:53 PM ET (US)            

At the forward end of the stern cockpit locker at the center, in what is likely the lowest point, there is an additional sump molded into the locker. This is intended to collect water. In the sump there is a pump mounted. The pump is intended to expel water from the sump. Although not clearly shown in the exploded view diagram (linked above), we assume that the exhaust hose of the pump discharges overboard.

At the bottom of the sump there is a through hull drain that leads downward and through the hull bottom. If this drain is opened the aft cockpit locker will begin to fill with water. If the boat is underway, and the drain is opened, water will tend to drain from the sump due to the Venturi effect of the drain.

Other than the pump and the through-hull drain, the aft or stern cockpit locker appears to have no other methods for removing water.

Water can enter the aft cockpit locker by three methods:

posted 07-12-2010 11:02 PM ET (US)            

I had not seen the sketch before either - and it is good - though I did not see the pump discharge.

Grossjas - I have about the same boat (albeit mine is a '96).

Underway, the scupper flappers are controlled by the velocity pressure acting on the flappers. That is, with the boat underway, the flappers will be "open" sucking any water from the in-floor drainage ditches. When the boat is stationary, the water pressure acting on the flappers is intended to "close" the scuppers - but "things" do get stuck around the flapper, perventing it to completely seal.

My mode of operation - periodically when somewhat stationary, fishing, having lunch, et al. - I will turn the pump on - and when water stops coming out of the starboard discharge, I will turn the pump off. I always do this just before getting underway. I have thought about an automatic pump - but haven't gone that route yet.

I would not put anything on the outside of the boat covering the scuppers - as it would effectively block any obstruction (branches, leaves, twigs, et al.) from moving through the scuppers.

I have often thought that I need to invent something that works better than the rubber flapper - but, at this point, I don't have a better answer.

posted 07-20-2010 11:37 AM ET (US)            

As the legend implies, the boat didnt sink...
Water filled up to the spill dam, thats as far down as she would go. The raised/tilted engine did not get flooded. We thought about plugging the scuppers but figured it wasnt going to make any difference...in fact, any water that could not get OUT of the spill tray was going to add weight aft, which would lower the level of the spill dam.

Problem was resolved by moving gear fwd, reduce fuel tank level, turning the boat around at night and having crew keep and eye on it, pump as needed.

Side note. Dry, this is a pretty stable boat. Full of water, it wont sink but trust me, wouldnt take much to roll it.

Gross; full tank of fuel, 5 people and scuppers/spill tray are near flooding, with all respect, I wonder if you are not right on the edge of overloading this 17 ft boat that has a FAR above average deadrise (hull angle). This is a super strong unsinkable foam filled hull but has limitations. Other than below deck fuel tank that varies, does not have any ballast near the keel...the more weight added above deck = less stability.