1981 22-2... recessed drainage question... self-bailing

[fishgutts]

I have the original floor... still solid... in my 1981 22-2.  It has the recessed floor in the back that was probably self bailing prior to all of the stuff added to the boat.  

Question:  Is it possible to fill in the original drain holes... raise this recessed floor to the level of the rest of the floor and punch new holes to make her self bailing?

Has anyone else done this?  The new holes would be about an inch and a half higher... and should match up closely with the waterline.

[Capt. Bob]

Why not?

Two things to think about (literally).

Drilling new holes for the drains.
Patching the old.

Can't say I recall someone doing this exact same thing but many members have of course replaced transoms/floors and installed new brass thru transom drain tubes.

I relocated one on my 84 CCP after mounting the full bracket. No big deal.

Filling in the depression, you find plenty of "how to" and what to use here.

Good luck.

[Georgie]

Just a quick clarification, but if the boat still floats without water flooding your deck through your existing drains, then it currently DOES self bail.  Raising the holes won't change a thing as far as hydrostatic pressures are concerned.  The drain trench at the transom just fills to the level where it is above waterline, and then the pressures (water levels) equalize by sending any more water, that you might put on the deck, out through the existing drains.  If you currently are so waterlogged or otherwise laden that the deck floods through those existing drains when at rest, then you have a much bigger problem that can't be solved by raising the drains and you will probably need to just put plugs in the existing drains until it's time to rebuild.

[RickK]

For 25 years I just stuck regular expansion drain plugs in those drain holes in the trough because mine were not helping the baling.  To drain any water I would get up on plane and pull one of the plugs.