[franzl]

I get a relatively small amount of bilge water when it rains - damned if I can figure it out after 12 years (1993 24' ProLine Walkaround Cuddy) Fish boxes, inspection plates all appear to seal well. Bow pulpit is caulked all around - rest of deck is one continous piece of glass with no seams or openings. No water in cabin (not a drop from windows) or helm area (bimini w/full curtains). Hoses for scuppers in good shape. Rod holders have rubber seals. Other fittings are all well caulked and tight (gas, water, oil, cleats, etc)<br /><br />Been this way since new. I stopped worrying about it a long time ago. here

[Anon136]

Re: drain plug/where does the water come from? [links]

[lexm]

Water can also get in if the deck is not sealed or sealed well where it joins the hull. Also never needed to tighten a plug more than hand tight if the plug rubber is still soft as when new and drain hole is clean. Could also have water intrusion from around drain hole as well as was happening on my boat till I got it repaired. No water at all in the bilge now after a day on the water unless of course it's water we brought in.<br /><br />DanMck, if you haven't already done so and if it is possible, you might want to loop the bilge pump hose as high above your through-hull fitting as possible. This will prevent water intrusion through the hose even when the fitting is underwater. Had to do the same on my boat.

[unavailable]

Re: drain plug/where does the water come from? more

[wikarus]

Re: drain plug/where does the water come from?

[ninaheadley]

If you prefer not to remove your scupper plugs to drain water in your kayak, simply use a sponge or bilge pump. It’s never a bad idea to carry one or both of those products with you for safety and convenience. The truth is, water will always find its way into your boat. It’s just a matter of personal choice. Most people don’t like to sit in a pool of water while others don’t mind getting a little wet. If you do have some water entering your boat but want the convenience of it draining back out, consider plugging your scuppers closest to your seat and leave the ones by your feet open. Another option is to find a “drier” kayak or one that is better suited for your weight.

[SkyN]

Customers always ask me about water coming in through their scupper plugs. Don’t be alarmed, the incoming water doesn’t mean your boat is going to sink. Regardless of your kayak’s capacity and scupper plug usage, it’s perfectly normal for water to enter the boat one way or another. However, excessive water – whether it’s from spray, paddle splash, waves, or entering and exiting your kayak – consistently in your boat can become bothersome. here

[Fog Fence]

Remember: A Little Water Is Normal more

[siuenhan88]

Bothered By Excessive Water? Carry A Sponge Or Bilge Pump

[laczoka]

Scupper holes, found in sit-on-top kayaks, are designed as a safety feature to drain water out of the kayak, from top to bottom, which keeps you from sitting in a puddle or even worse, making your kayak a bathtub full of water prone to capsizing. The intent of scupper plugs, designed to fit in these holes, is to keep water from coming in, which can happen in choppy water or when there is significant enough weight in the kayak to push the hull deep enough in the water to force water into the cockpit. more

[denaje]

Most people don’t like to sit in a pool of water while others don’t mind getting a little wet.

here

[brigitte2378sack]

If you are going to leave the boat on the trailer, upright and uncovered, be sure to prop up the tongue of the trailer. If it rains and fills up the cockpit, water will get into the hull through the breather hole.

[legion050]

So you can leave the transom bung in. here

[kenlefeb]

There should be a breather hole just under the forward end of hiking strap. Its purpose is to allow expanding, hot air to escape. more

[unavailable]

One thing I learned about the breather hole the hard way.

[dbwinbonuss]

What should I be doing? What do you all do? more

[DrakxQueen3iv]

It's a smart move to remove the rubber bung on the cockpit drain (leave the bailer closed though so the rubber o-rings are as relaxed as possible) - this will allow the cockpit to drain without putting the o-rings under max tension which really shortens their already short life span) here

[Aqualung]

There’s no kayak rule requiring any paddler to use scupper plugs, and whether or not they’re necessary depends on what’s going on with the water when you’re kayaking. Plugging those openings could mean less water inside the yak. Leaving them open could make it feel like there’s as much water inside the boat as outside, but that’s only when you’re taking on too much water. [links]

[torservers]

A few things to remember are that kayaking is a wet sport, you’re unlikely to stay dry all the time, and getting little water in the kayak is normal. Plus, when you have excess water and decide to use the scupper plugs, you could still get a little water in the kayak, but it doesn’t mean you’ll sink. Put the plugs in harder for a tighter fit, and that could minimize water getting through.

[Manjago]

Just like the scupper hole, a scupper plug is simple. They are a safety feature of sit-on-top kayaks, but their purpose is to plug up the scupper drain hole. Designed only to fit the scupper holes, the plugs fill those openings to keep water from getting into the kayak during those times that your boat takes on extra water. As mentioned before, this happens in rough water and when there’s extra weight onboard.

[Solego]

Kayaking offers fun and adventure, and it’s easy for beginners to get involved. That’s one of the reasons this sport is so popular! What may not be popular with newbies is being confused about how some kayak parts work or why they’re even part of the boat. For instance, scupper holes and scupper plugs might seem odd, especially to a novice who might wonder why even put these holes in the kayak if there’s a need to plug them once the kayak is in the water. Because of that type of thinking, some new kayakers think scuppers aren’t necessarily good for kayaking. The truth is that scupper holes and plugs are there to help you.

[williambruss112]

What is a scupper? It’s not an odd question for a novice kayaker because newbies usually aren’t familiar with all kayak parts or purposes. Scuppers are simply molded in-drain holes in sit-on-top kayaks. These vertical holes connect the boat deck to the water beneath it, and they may be in the cockpit, foot walls or tank well. There are typically between one and six scupper holes on a kayak.