Scupper hoses

D

DA1977

New Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2018
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Model
Sailfish
First time GW owner.
Just purchased a 2005 282 Sailfish and the starboard scupper hoses are original and rotted. No evidence of leaking at this time. Planning to replace but won’t be able to until later this season. Would like to put some kind of temporary reinforcement/patch in the event of a failure when out on the water. Would give me some peace of mind. Funny thing is that the port scupper hoses were replaced. Maybe the prior owner didn’t want to cut the deck and install a plate to access and replace the starboard hoses.

Anyone ever use flexseal tape or liquid to temporarily reinforce their scupper hoses?

Any advice/recommendations appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
If the hose were to break, would water flood the bilge?
Probably not since the scuppers rely on gravity and a downward slope to drain. They are not normally under pressure. My point is that a leak in a hose probably would be a low threat event. Taping is a thought but if you can't reach the hose to replace, how would you wrap it with tape?
 
I'd be worried that they could leak/rupture unexpectedly and possibly sink your boat. Especially since it seems like the boat is in a slip where it may be unattended... and that's probably EXACTLY when the hoses will fail :rolleyes:

Now, only you know exactly how bad they really are. Yes, you could try to reinforce and MAYBE it will help? But that's a big if. Besides, reinforcing them is probably more of a hassle than replacing. If it was me, I wouldn't trust it.

The other side was replaced, assumingly, because they were bad and ready to go. Both sides age at the same rate.

Best course of action... pull the boat and get it done. The small inconvenience of pulling the boat and fixing it is not worth what could happen. And it's unlikely that your insurance would cover "lack of maintenance" for a claim.
 
if you are going to run the boat this season regardless, then yes, wrapping it with flex tape or something similar would help a bit. it may hold in a small leak and lessen the effects of a large failure.

replacing is obviously the best way, and yes it is a major pain to do
 
I'm thinking that since it wasn't replaced already, it's in an awkward spot (like most)... which means trying to get hands in there to wrap tape around it would be even more awkward... which means replacement is easier. In other words, if wrapping tape around it is doable, then it would be even easier to just replace it. Tape would have to be wrapped so tightly (and well) that I can't imagine it's even possible.

Well, that's my thinking process, anyways.
 
Key question is whether the scuppers are under the water or above the water line.
 
The scuppers are above the waterline. However, the waterline is exactly at the bottom of the scupper thru hull hole. My transom is also swollen and the aluminum bang plate is severely deteriorated. There is also brown rust stains dripping down from the transom motor mount bolts when you look in the bilge. Will a wet transom add enough weight to cause the stern and thru hulls to sit lower in the water? At some point, it seems like the transom will need some attention. Replacement of the aluminum bang plate with vinyl cap and possible re-glassing.
 
Have you checked the integirty of the transom and whether or not there is risk of the engines breaking off the transom? With the engines tilted up, you need to Jump/push HARD on the lower unit and watch the transom for flex.

Yes, water weight trapped somewhere will of course weigh down the back of the boat. But it's not going to add a tremendous amount of weight. That's not really the worry. The worry is that if a hose starts to leak that wave action/backing up will allow water to come, possibly, VERY quickly into the bilge... and that WILL weigh down the back of the boat more and more and more and then water will enter just sitting still. As more water enters the bilge, it will start to come in faster and faster. Quite possibly more than a normal bilge pump and even the emergency pump can handle.

Obviously you know the condition of that hose better than any of us - but so far it sounds like this is something that needs to be attended to right away or you risk losing the boat (at a bare minimum) and obviously the safety hazzards for you and your crew, as well.
 
If your thru-hull fittings are plastic and original, you greatest risk isn't your hoses suddenly failing but your thru-hull fitting snapping off. If that is the case make sure you replace the thru-hull fittings as well as the hoses.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.