Raising the Floor?

[mlofton8]

I'm redoing my deck on a '76SF, and I've seen a couple of comments about raising the floor about 2" to make it a true self bailer..what will this accomplish? What are the pros and cons of it??

Thanks in advance

[Mark]

The gunnels will be a bit lower on your legs.

The floor is right about at water level the way the 20's were originally made. Thus, raising the floor several inches will hopefully allow for the floor to be above the waterline enough to allow gravity to drain your floor out the scuppers while sitting still instead of needing to leave the plugs in and get the boat up on plane to empty the cockpit of water.

Just my thoughts......and hopes!!

[firetaz.Va]

Im sure most of you already know this but on my last boat which was a 23 s/c cc I had a hard time making the water leave the deck and I wasnt comfortable taking water over the bow <on a real nasty day>with the plugs in the floor, a buddy told me to use tiny screws with 5200 and glue stainless clamshell "wire covers" I guess you call them and mount them on the bottom of the hull just before the floor holes it creates like a venturi affect and pulls water off the deck very fast and effective maybe this will help someone I dont know anyway there are some really pretty boats on here.. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] kudos to all who have done so much hard work on them tight lines

[Mark]

My 20' has those little clam shell things just in front of the drain and they work great..... at 20 knots and above.

In order to work, those clam shells need forward motion. When drifting next to a baitball and fishing, it's back to putting the plugs in or wet toes.

[Serenity]

Hi gang,

[Serenity]

Hi again...hit the wrong key! I raised my floor for the following reasons: When fishing in heavy seas, too much water gets in and original drains too slow; cleaning up after a large catch becomes a chore to get underway to get another one before the "school" leaves the area; I just like the deck clean and slip free when fishing. My fishboxes drain straight down thru hull. No compartments drain into the bilge area. This keeps my engine area dry. We tried to totally seal off the deck (including fuel tanks)to keep moisture out. All underdeck wood used completely fiberglassed before installation (i.e. no wood exposed). I'm sure there are "cons" to this style but it seems to work here.

[jw]

I too had water problem form those damn cockpitdrains in the 20sf. I have cut the tubes loose, filled inthe holes thru the bottom and will just drain the cockpit to the bilge. Also adding a 1100gph auto bilge pump. Perko make a plastic fitting with a 90 hose barb, lookslike a kitchen sink strainer, that should fit right in the deck scupper, I plan on running the hose straight to the bilge.
JW

[timd]

Where did you find that Perko fitting? Got a picture?

[jw]

Timd,
Check out www.perko.com . look under deckfittings or scuppers. the plastic ones would work ok, however the plated brass ones are mor suitable for me, i just need one to figure out how to mount it.
JW