Draining the bilge, just thinking out loud.

[Boris]

So here I am debating weather I should put in a one way valve or scupper.
I've read through countless threads and know that the scupper leaks and the one way valve is a pain if it fails.

So I was thinking,
Has anyone ever tried making a trap in the 2" pipe ?

I think a couple of 45* and a 90* tucked up the side of the tray would fit easy and might prevent water from flowing back into the bilge while the ski is stopped.
If the trap isn't too high water should flow right out once the ski picks up momentum.

Has anyone ever done this or thought about it ?
Am I just wasting time ?

 

[demolition_x]

im in the same boat...

i def want to get something mechanical to drain water out of my ski so i can add dual cooling.

the trap sounds like an idea. but when the ski is sitting in the water i would imagine that it would still leak water when water getts pushed up the back.

and if you made the trap so high water wouldn't be able to get out.

to me the scupper seems to be the best of every thing minus the cost of the scupper its self.

 

[Matt_E]

The more "piping" you install, the less flotation foam you will have.
Bad idea, IMHO.

 

[Boris]

The more "piping" you install, the less flotation foam you will have.
Bad idea, IMHO.

I understand your point but a few fittings would take up less space than a second drain pipe (for those who run dual scuppers).

The tap would only have to go just past the water line when the ski is at rest so I don't think there would be an issue with water flowing out.
Also, with air trapped in the pipe between the bilge and trap wouldn't that air help in keeping the ski a float ?

 

[demolition_x]

why arn't you just getting a one way valve frome the depot?

 

[Matt_E]

IMHO, good dual bilge pumps and a scupper/one way are enough.

 

[demolition_x]

yea from what i hear scuppers are pretty decent. they don't let in water that bad.

its just hard for me to justify spending almost 100 bucks on just a rubber and metal flap.

i would do a one way but im curious how they hold up in the surf. cause once it breaks you pretty much have a headache on your hands.

 

[Boris]

why arn't you just getting a one way valve frome the depot?

Because I wouldn't be able to stand the thought of having a valve that can brake that I can't get to.

The scupper sounds to me like a safer alternative except for the fact that they let water in while at rest.
I started thinking about a trap and was just wondering if anyone has ever done it.

I guess I'm just driving my self nuts and should leave the stock syphon and dual bilge pumps alone. Than again, since I have the rear cut up for footholds why not go all the way.

 

[demolition_x]

i hear ya. im thinking the same thing.

you could always run a pipe and put a cap on the inside, so you could run a scupper later.

 

[Superjet3]

Because I wouldn't be able to stand the thought of having a valve that can brake that I can't get to.

The scupper sounds to me like a safer alternative except for the fact that they let water in while at rest.
I started thinking about a trap and was just wondering if anyone has ever done it.

I guess I'm just driving my self nuts and should leave the stock syphon and dual bilge pumps alone. Than again, since I have the rear cut up for footholds why not go all the way.

A good scupper that is installed correctly will not leak much.. My 24-7 scupper barley leaks. It has gotten a bit worse because I bent it from surf riding but it still isnt that bad...

 

[jetskier79]

i would do a one way but im curious how they hold up in the surf. cause once it breaks you pretty much have a headache on your hands.

They hold up pretty well.....but you are right, if they break, you have a headache on your hands. It took about 15 seconds for Runaway's ski to sink when his blew out.

They do leak at rest, enough that without a bilge pump, I don't like to sit still for more than a short period. On the other hand, the one way valve is a ROYAL PITA when it fails.....beacuse it will.

 

[Matt_E]

You can either plan for that and make one end of the pipe threaded - so that you can just put a plug in it when it breaks.
Or install a scupper at that point.

There are drawbacks to every method. They key is installing multiple and redundant solutions.
Scuppers and vacuum bilges require movement to work.
Bilge pumps require electricity to work.

Most important is probably sealing the bilge well in the first place, so as not having to have to deal with a lot of water intrusion.

 

[demolition_x]

i was even thinking about cutting out the bulk head a little and making a cubby sort of thing and have the one way mounted in there. so if it did break i would be able to replace it from the bilge.

but then the bulk head is compromised and i prob would not be able clamp it down any ways.

the only logistical thing is a scupper. its just a shame they are so pricey.

 

[accbr]

You can either plan for that and make one end of the pipe threaded - so that you can just put a plug in it when it breaks.

I have a one way, scupper, and bilge pump. I put a threaded piece on the end in the hull, so I can plug it when I want to. Got it at home depot and 5200'd it on there. Some of the lakes around here are all cliffs around the shore, so you just have to tie up to somebody's boat while your sitting around. I just keep the plug in my fire ext. tube and screw it on when I need it. Doesn't hurt to pop the hood and look in there every once in awhile during the day anyway.

 

[TheSimpleManLance]

what about that guy that put the scupper exit in where the pump is. does anyone know if that helped out at all with water leaking back into the engine compartment.

 

[Matt_E]

It doesn't.

 

[TheSimpleManLance]

It doesn't.

k

 

[DAG]

solor pannel handpole and a 5,000GPM bilge

snd dont ride when its not sunny

 

[cookerq62]

I bought the home depot scupper because I thought it would not leak and it does. I also have 2 bilges on a float switch. I love it it comes on about every 5 min while sitting and is perfectly set up so that the pumps run dry for a few seconds then the switch turns off. The total setup was about $40 from wal-mart minus the bling parts, they cost more then the pumps. If I was doing it again I would go with a scupper that way you can see if its stuck open. Crap gets caught in the one way like sand and nuts I have dropped. The bilges can keep up with it but its scary being out in the water and your bilges aren't turning off.

 

[Boris]

I have a scupper on order and will be putting it in as soon as it arrives.
I was just trying to think of an idiot proof setup and thought that the trap might be it.:biggrin: