Blocked Deck Scuppers

[britinusa]

We keep Eximius at a Dock in a residential area, there are trees on the property and they drop lots of 'Stuff' such as seeds, flowers and bits of hair like bark (they're varieties of palm trees) and this flotsam clogs the deck scupper, so we end up with dirty water laying on either side of the scuppers. After a heavy rain (and this is South Florida) it's even worse.

Even though we visit the boat several times a week, it only takes a day for grot to build up and we have to rinse / scrub the area near the scuppers.

Our boat is not the cleanest of boats top sides, we know it needs work, but the scuppers getting blocked every week is a pain. Yes we get the black marks on the sides below them.

I was thinking of expanding the scuppers, they look to be about 3/8" right now and wondered if it would be reasonable to drill them out and line the insides with GFP to water proof the toe rail.

There are several articles on putting tubes into the scuppers to move the pour point further from the boat, but our problem is water not being able to drain when the block.

Ideas?

Paul

[Dave Spencer]

Paul,
I had the same question although my scupper clogging issue doesn't sound as bad as yours.  See attached link. I was warned off expanding the holes.  The idea to add clear plastic tube doesn't help with the fact that the deck scupper holes are too small.  I've lived with it.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7327.msg49901.html#msg49901

[Ken Krawford]

I drilled mine out many years ago and it worked out great.  I used epoxy to seal the newly cut areas of the toe rail.

[britinusa]

Ken, do you have any pics?

Paul

[Stu Jackson]

Paul, IIRC Ken just made a bigger hole.  Have you considered putting some kind of screening over them? Kinda like over a downspout at the end of your roof gutters on your house?

[britinusa]

Stu, yes, I wondered how I might do that.
Haven't come up with a method or material yet.

The amount of vegetation that falls on the boat (that and Iguana Poop) is considerable and regularly blocks the scupper holes. That tends to leave a grotty black/brown residue and the scuppers full of debris & water.

Paul

[Jon W]

If there's considerable debris forming a grotty black/brown residue it doesn't sound like a bigger hole is going to solve the problem. Why not put a tarp/cover over the boom to or over the port and starboard lifelines? Something inexpensive at first to try it. If it does the job upgrade to something "shippy".

[Ron Hill]

Paul : Go to a bigger hole and be sure to seal the new hole cut with epoxy.  Then you can use a larger tube to get the water away from making a dirty mark down the side.

A thought

[Ken Krawford]

Paul, I don't have any pictures as I sold the boat a number of years ago.  As Ron said, just drill it and then coat the newly cut surface with epoxy.

[britinusa]

Thanks guys.
I was cleaning the hull today and noticed that the holes appear to have a tube stuck into them that is perhaps less than 3/8" diameter.

Going back to the boat in the morning and will see if they come out.

Paul

[KWKloeber]

Paul,

Obviously, the answer is......... be on the boat more often!   

k

[britinusa]

Agreed! We feel it when the boat is still tied to the slip with two week old knots.

Then again, we have been pretty busy on the boat, the hull cleaning is really the first chance I have had between house and boat and, most importantly, our 3yr old Granddaughter, in 2 years. But the hull is looking really good.

Off to do the other half today.


Paul

[seamarc]

A dock mate had the yard professionally sculpt the scuppers leaving a open shape. I drilled one out to see what was there and found the gunnel to be solid glass. Bored all 4 out to 1" and "painted" epoxy resin inside the hole. Works great!

[Noah]

What is your boat's year and hull number?

[britinusa]

What is your boat's year and hull number?

2nd that Q.

Not sure if our 87 would allow that, anyone got a pic of the deck/hull joint on a Mk 1 ?

Paul