Splash Well Drains

[floater]

I've read several posts about how the splash well drains should be above the water line. On my 1988 Revenge 20 W-T with a 200 Mercury two stroke the drains have never been above the water line. I always have water in the splash well even when under way. I have a 15 hp four stroke kicker on the transom as well. The batteries are mounted about two feet forward of transom out side of the splash well and the oil tank is the only thing in the well. Is this a problem? I've never had a problem with it and only use the boat on Lake Ontario for salmon fishing.

[jimh]

The 20-foot hull usually has the full-width splash well. I had a 1987 REVENGE 20 W-T with twin engines mounted on set back brackets. The engine splash well drains were slightly below the water line. I kept them plugged and installed a small pump to evacuate water that came over the transom. In all the years I ran that boat, I only recall the pump operating one time. That happened when we were transiting a very confused sea in a tidal rapids in the Pacific Northwest. I slowed the boat down very rapidly in the confused seas, and a wave came over the transom.

Drains are supposed to let water go out, not let water come in. If the drain outlet is below the water line and seawater flows into a sump area by backing up the drain passage, then the drain is no longer acting as a drain.

[Oldslowandugly]

I have a 15 footer with a 200lb motor and two six gallon fuel tanks, so the splash well is on the water line and takes on water, especially if I stand back there. I even put the battery in front of the console just to get some weight farther forward. I finally added some one inch Rabud scuppers on each drain. Now when I stand back there any water just dribbles in, if at all. Then it drains right out. Works great.