puddles on deck sides

  • October 02, 2011 1:33 PM
    Message # 713587
    Deleted user
    On my boat, I've noticed that water (from rain, washing or splashing) forms a long puddle forward of the side deck drains. In other words, the deck does not slope evenly down to the deck side deck drains, but forms a dip forward of the drain. 

    Do others experience this, and is there a way of getting that water to flow properly down the drains? Perhaps I have too much weight forward?
  • October 03, 2011 4:25 AM
    Reply # 713960 on 713587
    I have the same problem.  Bud told me it was too much weight forward.  However, no matter how much I move stuff aft, it persists.

    I'd love to hear a remedy.
  • October 03, 2011 7:15 AM
    Reply # 714043 on 713587
    Anonymous
    There is a remedy but not one you might want to undertake.  I know at least one W32 installed haws holes in the side decks amidships.  They were the big wide holes and dead level with the top of the interior deck.   The reason for that was to alleviate water being shipped over the bow in rough seas that was running down the length of the deck but some of the side benefits were drainage and also another place to attach lines at the dock. 


  • October 03, 2011 1:08 PM
    Reply # 714307 on 713587
    Deleted user
    Interesting, so according to Bud, I take it if weight is properly distributed, there should be no puddles. Maybe my anchors and chain are putting too much weight up front.
  • October 04, 2011 12:23 PM
    Reply # 715044 on 713587
    Deleted user
    I have exactly the same thing happening and my puddles are about a foot long forward of the scuppers - even when the boat is on the hard and level. I worry about it in the winter if water gets in under the cover and it freezes - does anyone think this would be an issue for the deck? 
  • October 15, 2011 12:38 PM
    Reply # 723578 on 713587
    I had the same problem. I have the scuppers that are essentially round hawse pipes. There should probably have been another set forward of the ones I have, but no doubt that was not done to save money. What I have done, which is probably not a good solution, particularly for cruising purposes, is remove one of my anchors and the chain from the bow rollers and put the chain in the lazarette. For me, that has solved the puddle problem, although I now have more weight distributed at the aft end of the boat. Ideally, I suppose, extra ballast could be added to the bilge, but then again, it would probably be easier to either install another set of scuppers or do what Norm did.
  • October 16, 2011 5:53 PM
    Reply # 724311 on 713587
    Another solution is to add a 1" to 2" diameter fibereglass tube through the bulwarks at the low spot.  You do have to drill the hole on the deck side low enough that the inside bottom of the tube is level with the deck, and the outside top of the tube is even with the underside of the rubrail.  Takes drilling a 1/4" hole at the proper locations on each side, and using a hole saw with a long 1/4" rod as a guide to get the two holes to line up properly.  Fit the tube and trim it smooth on both ends, leaving the bottom of the outside end slightly longer so you will not get drips down the hullside, then install the tube using white epoxy putty.  Touch up the fiberglass with some white paint to closely match the gelcoat color. 
  • October 16, 2011 5:58 PM
    Reply # 724313 on 724311
    Bud Taplin wrote:Another solution is to add a 1" to 2" diameter fibereglass tube through the bulwarks at the low spot.  You do have to drill the hole on the deck side low enough that the inside bottom of the tube is level with the deck, and the outside top of the tube is even with the underside of the rubrail.  Takes drilling a 1/4" hole at the proper locations on each side, and using a hole saw with a long 1/4" rod as a guide to get the two holes to line up properly.  Fit the tube and trim it smooth on both ends, leaving the bottom of the outside end slightly longer so you will not get drips down the hullside, then install the tube using white epoxy putty.  Touch up the fiberglass with some white paint to closely match the gelcoat color. 
    I forgot to note that when drilling with the hole saw, do not go through the fiberglass on each side before drilling from the other side, as you will not retain the 1/4" hole as the guide.  When both side are drilled almost through, you can then go ahead and finish drilling with the holesaw.  The fiberglass tube will then fit nicely into the hole.