Self-bailing splashwell drains, 69 222

[Joe Vinson]

I am rebuilding a 1969 Aquasport 222, can anyone tell me if the original splashwell drains are well above the waterline, having a 200 yamaha and a 9.9 kicker mounted on the transom.  They appear to be above the waterline, but I just want to make sure because since the holes are exsisting already I am going to use one for bilge pump drain and the other hole for a livewell drain. The livewell drain should be fine,I am more concerned about the bilge pump drain because I don't want water to backfill into my bilge.  
  I have removed all of the old decking and removed the old splashwell (The original splashwell for the selfbailing deck was very small) I have closed the transom off and will have a more efficiant self bailing deck but I am left with the two holes that are from the original splashwell, and are trying to utilize them if possible, The less holes drilled the better, at least in a boat.                                
    So if anyone can tell me from experience on the water if these 2 holes will be above the waterline, close to it, or below it which I doubt, It would be greatly appreciated.                 Thanks Joe

[John Jones]

Don't use them for drains if they are even close to the water line.  A friend of mine had his boat nearly sink several times before he figured out what was happening.  His bilge drains were just barely above the waterline.  Get a couple of guys fishing on the same corner of the stern and then a wave slap the side of the boat and the drain would start siphoning.  (Yes, he had pump issues also - like a seized Rulemate less than a month old.)  We plugged the low drains and installed new ones as high as we could get them.  No more siphoning.  We tried re-routing the hoses up in a high loop and such before moving them with no success.

[Joe Vinson]

John Jones
  Thank you for the reply, I am aware of what will happen if the drains are too close to the waterline, but I think that the drains are well above, I need someone that has a 69' 222 with the original self bailing drains to tell me how much higher they are. It would be ideal if someone with a 69 222 with a 200 2 -stroke could reply, thanks

                                                                        Joe

[Tailgunner]

I've got a '73 222 with a Merc 125 2-stroke. The holes are a "few inches" above waterline. I've never had a problem except at the boat ramp and then only when launching.

Not sure if that helped.

[g-man]

I have a '73 22-2 with twin Merc 115's. Since they were heavier than the factory recommended 70hp Johnrude twin setup, I filled the livewells with foam. They were a pain to use anyway. The drains are just above the waterline unless you are bottom fishing with folks toward the stern. I plugged the two outside drains with removable stoppers and use a ping pong ball drain on the center drain. Works beautifully.