One way valve vs. bilge

[dbredleader]

I see so many members advising scuppers & one way valves, discouraging bilge pumps. I may be missing something, but why? One way/scuppers empty faster, but can leak, bilge pumps are slower, but other than that, why the preference for for the one way valves. Aesthetics?:thinking:

 

[Laserman]

You got the answer right - SPEED . Scuppers empty FAST.

Why wait for yor ski to "take a leak" in-between each sub attempt?

Of course, there is no reason not to employ BOTH systems.

I see a lot of people taking out the stock bilge when installing an electric one - I kept mine in there.

On My Ultra150, I have the stock bilge, I have an electric one, and I also have VERSIPLUGS (another option!)

I could still make it back to the ramp with a good sized hole in my hull!

 

[Matt_E]

Just my personal experience, but I've come to hate scuppers/one way valves.
They can leak water into the hull and into the foam. They can sink the boat when it's upside down.
I recently blocked my one way tube front and back with rubber freeze plugs.
When I get another hull, I will not put another scupper/one way in.
Two good bilge pumps and stock siphon is enough. (FOR ME, MY OPINION ONLY!)
I don't do 10 subs in a row.

 

[seatsR4toilets]

I've went so back-and-forth on this, but I've finally decided on my new Blaster that I'm just going to add one more 800gpm Rule bilge pump. That should be fine. The one I have now is slow, but my feeling on "scupper only" is that if the ski fills up to the flame arrestor, or if it just won't start and it's got alot of water in it, the scupper is useless IMO. My last scupper wouldn't drain all the water out unless there was significant pressure on the valve itself (which is how it should operate). My Rule 800gpm bilge could care less how much water is in the hull, and it could care less if the ski starts or not.

IMHO, dual Rule bilges. 500gpm or larger.

 

[dbredleader]

Speed

So we are talking about gaining 25-45 seconds at the risk of not being able to dry out the boat if it stalls? I know weight can't be a factor because a bilge would prolly be lighter than the other options. Don't get me wrong, my boats are reliable, but as with any machine anything is possible at any time. Lots of members with great skill/experience advise one ways/scuppers. Maybe 45 seconds is worth the extra work/risk. My old a$$ needs that time to breathe before the next set anyway.

 

[Matt_E]

Lots of members with great skill/experience advise one ways/scuppers.

I think it's more of a band-wagon mod. Everybody's doing it, it must be good.
I'm not saying it's not appropriate for some situations - just that I really dislike it for reasons stated. I think dual bilge pumps and a stock siphon do the job well enough with less problems, for a majority of riders.

If you have water intrusion problems that require a scupper, you should probably look at your hoodseal. :biggrin:

I am also guessing that a large number of members have never tried to run without the scupper. Kinda makes it hard to compare whether you NEED it or not.

 

[chriselmore_1]

this is like arguing religon..... no right answer... i run 2 500gph pumps, no stock siphon and no problems. i ride surf when i get a chance too, still, with no problems. i use the walmart 17$ attwood bilge pumps because the mounting baskets are alot stronger than the rule baskets.

 

[Big Kahuna]

They are nice to have but can cause problems. If you are competing (Freeride or Freestyle you have to be able to get the water out of the hull quick. Otherwise your hull is weighted down with water and you run the risk of sloshing water into your intakes.

If you are just ripping up the lake, Bilge Pumps are good to have. The versa plug is a good idea as well. But you run the risk of water leaking into your hull (Foam)

 

[dbredleader]

I think it's more of a band-wagon mod. Everybody's doing it, it must be good.
I'm not saying it's not appropriate for some situations - just that I really dislike it for reasons stated. I think dual bilge pumps and a stock siphon do the job well enough with less problems, for a majority of riders.

If you have water intrusion problems that require a scupper, you should probably look at your hoodseal. :biggrin:

No intrusion probs here, my boat stays super dry!! I think pros use them for rapid fire freestyle tricks, don't have time for bilges in their timed routines? That's all I can think of as far as advantages go. The disadvantage list seems much longer.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I am pretty much retired from competitions. But I am spoiled with getting the water out really quick. If/when I get a new hull, it will still have scuppers installed in it as well. But that is my riding style. If not ripping up the lake I like to do alot of flat water freestyle. I need one of the automatic soap dispensors, I would never have to clean my engine bay out...

 

[dbredleader]

Bilge/scuppers

Thanks Matt/Seats/Laserman/BK for the quick replies. I feel like I'm on team bilge for the right reason. I will look into attwood pumps, I have seen the crappy baskets from rule break alot.

 

[Matt_E]

Thanks Matt/Seats/Laserman/BK for the quick replies. I feel like I'm on team bilge for the right reason. I will look into attwood pumps, I have seen those break those crappy baskets from rule.

I've been using the same two Attwood pumps for two years now in salt and fresh water.
They are still going strong.

 

[dbredleader]

If your hull stays super-dry now, why add a scupper? :dunno:

No plans to... just wondering why the fascination with them, wondering if there are advantages I didn't know about.

 

[Mark44]

No more scuppers for me and no more front exhaust.

Mark44

 

[WaveDemon]

if you're boat is upside down with a scupper you better swim your ass of to get to the ski.

bilge pumps aren't great either but they are the safer method of the two.

 

[Matt_E]

No more scuppers for me and no more front exhaust.

Mark44

if you're boat is upside down with a scupper you better swim your ass of to get to the ski.

bilge pumps aren't great either but they are the safer method of the two.

Bingo.

And front exhausts are the devil.

 

[SJBrit]

I am also guessing that a large number of members have never tried to run without the scupper. Kinda makes it hard to compare whether you NEED it or not.

Agreed.

I like to have two ways to get the water out so I have backup systems. That means either pump and siphon or pump and one-way/scupper.

I run a one-way and two 500gph Attwoods and they empty the hull pretty damn fast. Don't waste your money on Rules, BTW - they get airlocked way too often. However, I have never run without the one-way, so I don't know how much difference it's making.

I will say that my cheap Home Depot one-way valved doesn't let in any water, upside-down or no. I went to the length of making sure I could close up the outlet since my ski floats all day, but I never use the plug because it doesn't leak. It must be at least four years old now.

So, I say stay clear of Rule pumps and scuppers, and go with dual 500gph Attwoods and either the stock siphon or a one-way. I really don't have any comparison between the efficiency of the siphon and the one-way, but it's easier to fit in two pumps without the siphon filter in the way.

 

[dbredleader]

if you're boat is upside down with a scupper you better swim your ass of to get to the ski.

bilge pumps aren't great either but they are the safer method of the two.

Team bilge alliance confirmed.

 

[Proformance1]

Scuppers suck if you lose the ski upside down, but on the upside I never have water coming out of my bilges or take water into my carbs anymore. It's a love/hate for me. If you never let go, or just ride flatwater, they are a must. IMO!!!

 

[seatsR4toilets]

Funny side note about the mentioning of the Attwood pumps.
I bought a ski with one, and thought it was a POS compared to the Rule. More than anything, it was because I'd never seen one before, and then I did I think at, of all places, Wal-Mart.
But when I pulled the motor, and tried to get the freaking bracket out, and had to literally break it to get it out, I thougt maybe I should try those on my next ski.
And I will.
Rule is pretty, but as far as the stupid mount basket deal, I can't even count how many times I broke the stupid tabs off trying to pull the pump with the motor in the ski blind, etc etc.

Next ski, it's cheapo Attwoods for me. No scupper. No one-way.