1987 170 Osprey water through the scuppers

[GradySailfish25]

Does everyone have problem with the the scuppers being under water most of the time and letting water into the back of the boat?  I have those ping pong ball scuppers, and they do a relatively good job, but if I am standing in the back of the boat their usually some water coming in.  My dad's 19 is the same way, he actually jams tennis balls in front of the scupper, which I don't think is a good idea considering how little freeboard there is around the motor.  I haven't had the 19 that I bought this winter out yet, but I assume it is going to have the same problem.
Rick

[JimCt]

I may have the same problem, don't know yet.

Just bought a '73 170 with a '03 Merc 75 but have not had it in the water yet.  Plate says the hull's rated for 85hp but that likely isn't any promise my feet will stay dry.

The ping pong solution may be the best.  Can you lighten the load aft or move weight fwd?

[Keith Knecht]

Hi Grady,

I think it's the nature of the beast.  My 250 Osprey has the same problem.  

Sharkark

[Wilson]

I think Keith is right.  It seems to be the norm with most of the older Aquasports.  The only fix seems to be rebuilding and raising the floor.

[scott_gunn]

My '87 200 does not have this problem.  I have a 150 Johnson hanging off the transom.

[RickK]

I don't have any scuppers and my main drains are underwater unless I'm on plane - so that means both are plugged while on the water.  For me, the good part of having scuppers would be if you leave the boat in the water and it rains, it doesn't sink.  The bad part is they can't be mounted too high (like above the water line on our boats) or the boat will have to have much more water in it to start bailing.  Can't win.
Bilge pumps - my AS, like most of yours has no bilge, so that means I have no place to put a pump in to help out automatically. A good rain while camping and I'm in deep doodoo.  I've made a portable bilge pump in a small bucket that I weigh down, has slots along the bottom so water can get in and be pumped over the back but it looks tacky and takes up valuable standing/storage room, which is already plentiful enough in a 170.
I've been in other boats with scuppers and they do let in water if you step near them and the scupper goes below the water.  I have a friend that has straight thru pipes out the sides of his Flats and Bays that let water in if you're on the side.  Looks like there is now way to get around this.
How about the ones with flaps in them?  Maybe they make combo ball and flap?

[GradySailfish25]

Rick,
If I understand what you are saying, the things you are calling main drains are actually scuppers, a scupper is a hole that lets water out of a boat.  You probably need some sort of scupper valve, the ones I have are available at West Marine or Boaters world

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/ ... tId=712181

Cut and paste the link above you should see them, sorry I don't know how to post a link.  Anyway, the are sort of a check valve that is supposed to let water out but not in.  They work pretty good.
Rick

[RickK]

If I understand what you are saying, the things you are calling main drains are actually scuppers, a scupper is a hole that lets water out of a boat.  You probably need some sort of scupper valve, the ones I have are available at West Marine or Boaters world

Ahh, I thought that scuppers were the "valve" additions or a hole drilled thru the hull/transom that had flaps built in.  The "main drains" I'm talking about are the size of drain plugs (3/4"?), metal, beneath the motor mount, are straight thru and are under water, at rest, on my boat.

[snapper whipper]

my 86 170 has same problem I just keep em plugged,however I do have bilge access and a pump with a float switch below the deck and I installed a small bilge pump in that little drain area by the transom above the deck,works good.

[jack1747]

On my 80's 170 the drains are above the water line when she is in the slip. I leave them unplugged and rain water drains quite well.  When I am out fishing and or crabbing the plugs go in.  If not my feet are wet all the time.