RSC
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2014
- Messages
- 83
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2134GH07
- Vessel Name
- MISCHIEVOUS
The recent hurricane in Florida pointed out to me the importance of keeping the bilge clean and debris from going down through the scupper plates into the bilge. Though my boat was on its lift high out of potential storm surge and there is a roof on the boat lift, lots of small debris from the storm found its way into the bilge through the scupper drain plates by the huge rain. The debris clogged the bilge pumps allowing the hull to fill with water far enough to cover the cabin floor.
This topic may have been discussed before and other solutions found. But it might be worth looking at my solution...
I have done what I believe will be a good fix to stop debris from finding its way through the scupper drain plates and into the bilge. I visited the Dollar Store and purchased deep stainless steel mesh sink drain traps and put them between the scupper drain plate and the hull floor. The large deep traps will allow the scupper to flow the necessary high volume of water even with some trapped debris. A flat screen could get easily clogged and not flow water.
It is a simple job to clean trapped debris by unscrewing the four scupper cover screws and emptying the screen. The Dollar Store I visited sold the drain traps in a two pack…one large dia and one small dia. I used the larger dia deep screen that was almost the dia of the deck hole. I trimmed the flat flange to the dia of the scupper drain plate. Sandwiching the screen between the deck and the scupper plate, I used the plate screws to fasten it all back down. Finally, I did a super clean on the bilge and was amazed at the crud and debris that was hidden there.
This topic may have been discussed before and other solutions found. But it might be worth looking at my solution...
I have done what I believe will be a good fix to stop debris from finding its way through the scupper drain plates and into the bilge. I visited the Dollar Store and purchased deep stainless steel mesh sink drain traps and put them between the scupper drain plate and the hull floor. The large deep traps will allow the scupper to flow the necessary high volume of water even with some trapped debris. A flat screen could get easily clogged and not flow water.
It is a simple job to clean trapped debris by unscrewing the four scupper cover screws and emptying the screen. The Dollar Store I visited sold the drain traps in a two pack…one large dia and one small dia. I used the larger dia deep screen that was almost the dia of the deck hole. I trimmed the flat flange to the dia of the scupper drain plate. Sandwiching the screen between the deck and the scupper plate, I used the plate screws to fasten it all back down. Finally, I did a super clean on the bilge and was amazed at the crud and debris that was hidden there.