Screens on the scupper thru hull

T

Toot541

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2017
Messages
41
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Vessel Name
Tooter's Tug
The scupper screens are plugged. Should they be removed and how do you remove them? The boat is in the water and in Florida we get lots of rain. Thanks Barbara
 
Barbara, remove the scupper covers immediately. By r-25 flooded the engine in a rain when the covers were covered with a leaf. Many others reported rather same.


If your boat is not covered, the scupper covers must go.




Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796
 
Stuart, thank you for the reply, by scupper covers do you mean the plastic grates on the cockpit deck? Our R 29 also has screens on the thru hull at the water line where the water exits.. are you familiar with these screens, they are fine mesh not plastic grates. Our grates are clear but the drain does not drain due to the screens at the end. Has anyone removed those screens?
 
Sorry, I was confused. The plastic inlet screens must go. I don't know about outlet screens. Keep the roaches out? Previous owner?


Maybe Andrew can tell you what Fluid Motion intended. He is very helpful.


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796
 
Thanks, I will ask Andrew we discovered the problem yesterday when it rained. We tried to flush the line but it was plugged at the water line and discovered there was a screen over the thru hull. Maybe someone else has had this problem.
 
Seems odd that there would be outlet screens. It wouldn't take much for them to clog and not allow scupper water to exit the boat.
 
I got into the water to back flush it and there was a screen there. The boat is new to us so we are learning but when it rains its backing up into the bilge area. Thanks for the reply.
 
Don't know why you would have screens on the outlet end. If you purchased the boat used in Florida, some people have an aversion to possible rodent infestation or bugs and the former owner may have installed them. I would definitely get rid of them. They may be just forced in place. See if you can get a hook into them and pull them out. even if you damage the screen somewhat and are not successful a large hole in the screen is better. Was the boat from the Keys originally?
 
Thanks for the reply I am going to try and remove the screen. I am not sure where the original owner had the boat but its been in Florida and still is. Thanks
 
Anything that obstructs free flow through the scuppers is a bad idea. Screens on the deck end are a bad idea. Screens on the outlet are even a worse idea as it is impossible to clean them.
 
Problem solved at least for now, there was a scubber drain valve on the thru hull that was not opening..we think they had painted it.. we pried them open and water flowed freely. THe next question are valves necessary in this location? Were these originally installed or did someone add them? We either will replace or eliminate. Thanks to everyone we are newbies.
 
Whether the flappers/valves are needed is always a controversial topic. It feels good to a lot of people. The only practical purpose they serve is to prevent water entering via the through hull if the hose comes off. Of course the use of double hose clamps is intended to reduce the risk of the hose coming off. In the end it boils down to a risk decision. IMO the higher risk(as you've discovered) is that the flappers become obstructed (either internally or externally) and prevent free flow from the scuppers.

There are some who will argue that without the flappers water will come up through the scuppers when you back/reverse the boat. That assertion is theoretically possible but you have to be traveling awfully fast in reverse. For each one knot of speed enough pressure is produced to raise water slightly over half an inch up a tube. So if you're in the habit of traveling twelve knots or so in reverse then you probably shouldn't remove the flappers 😀
 
Thanks Dan, I believe we are going to go without.. since the boat is new to us this problem has been going on for some time. Your comments were very helpful. I am assuming the boat had these since new and they quit functioning properly.
 
I make it a regular check item to get a bent paper clip under the flap and pull it out to clear debris. I am able to stick my hand between the swim platform and stern to reach them.
 
I couldn't agree more that the scupper screens (at the cockpit side) should be immediately removed. The smallest amount of debris, dog hair etc.. can plug and make a mess out of the boat. I tell others to remove and frequently take a hose and flush them out. There should never be a screen on the outlet side. There should be a rubber flapper on the outlet side and that is it.

Thank you!
 
Andrew Custis":11x1p9o8 said:
I couldn't agree more that the scupper screens (at the cockpit side) should be immediately removed. The smallest amount of debris, dog hair etc.. can plug and make a mess out of the boat. I tell others to remove and frequently take a hose and flush them out. There should never be a screen on the outlet side. There should be a rubber flapper on the outlet side and that is it.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Hi Andrew! I'm trying to understand what the scupper "screen" is. Are the screens, white and round that look like a shower drain when you lift open the hatches? We've been having problems with our scuppers and draining. We were in some rough seas with major splashes onto the cockpit and the scuppers couldn't handle draining the seawater out which sadly resulted in a lot of corrosion in the engine compartment and failed alternator and starter due to sea water infiltration. I want to remove the "screen," but want to make sure I'm removing the right thing so this never happens to us again! Thank you in advance!!
 
Hello,

Yes, they are exactly what you describe. Pop them out with a small screwdriver. I usually plug one of them with a rag and force water through with a hose on each end. I see barnacles grow and clog these all the time. Keeping them clear will make drainage much better!

Best regards,
 
Andrew Custis":3kk7ss0l said:
Hello,

Yes, they are exactly what you describe. Pop them out with a small screwdriver. I usually plug one of them with a rag and force water through with a hose on each end. I see barnacles grow and clog these all the time. Keeping them clear will make drainage much better!

Best regards,
Click to expand...

Thank you for the quick response, much appreciated !!!! I will definitely pop them out !
 
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