Drains in the the rear (battery) compartments?

Canty0013

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Mar 19, 2020
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Hello everyone. I just begin working on my 1st boat and found this forum. I have found so much information on here, its a great site!
I am curious about something though and I cannot find a definitive answer. I have a 1992 Wellcraft Excel 20SX. During the cleaning I noticed that water was pooling in the rear compartments, the one where the battery is stored. I am wondering why there is no drain in there. I also have a floor replacement coming up and if installing drains there would be a wise idea I will, but my biggest concern is making the section weaker. I would think that a drain in all compartments that could catch water would be a good idea. What do you all think? I know the boat wasn't designed with one there and there is probably a good reason for that. But would installing one be considered an upgrade or improvement?

Thanks again guys!
Canty
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 20, 2001
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16,548
Drains that go overboard are good.

Drains that dump into the bilge are not so go
 

kcassells

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Without some pics hard to answer your question correctly.
If you are able to redirect all the water to the bilge and introduce a bilge pump then that would be the way to go. The battery "box" should never hold water.At the bilge you would also want to have a bilge drain.
Looking forward to some pics and more questions.
 

AShipShow

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Jul 8, 2016
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I put a drain in my boat in every compartment that isn't sealed off... My anchor compartment and ski locker drain to the bilge... My fuel tank compartment doesn't have a drain to the bilge because thats not allowed by USCG... any seat box storage has a drain hole so water can flow from out to the deck and the deck can drain to the bilge...

Your batteries should be in a box tho and they shouldn't drain because if your battery leaks, you don't want the battery acid everywhere. You should also have a lid if they are vented batteries because charging batteries produces hydrogen gas which is explosive.
 

chevymaher

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Except for every single boat ever made with a skii locker it drains through the tank area to the bilge. Got to admit those boat manufacturers sure know how to scoff at the law.
 

AShipShow

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Except for every single boat ever made with a skii locker it drains through the tank area to the bilge. Got to admit those boat manufacturers sure know how to scoff at the law.

I wonder if that was a later addition to the USCG rules, cuz my Bayliner had a drain that went below a floor under the tank area, but I've seen lots like your saying that were older than mine...
 

chevymaher

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I would be interested in knowing. in 94 bajas went from the cuddy floor through the tank area and into the bilge like mine does. My buddies 96 bayliner does as well. skii locker to bilge. Through tank area. I can only go by what boat I have seen.
 

Canty0013

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Mar 19, 2020
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Here is the battery box. It is in the rear, right next to the motor. There are seats over the boxes (similar box on the other side of the boat too). But as you can see, no drains. When I replace the deck, should I put some in?
 

kcassells

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The area should be dry. Where will you be able to let the water drain to? Hopefully the bilge and also do you have a plug and pump?
 

Canty0013

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Mar 19, 2020
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Yes, I was thinking of creating a drain into the bilge under the motor. It would be the quickest and easiest way to drain. What do you mean a "plug and pump"? I do have a bildge pump, if that's what you mean.

Thanks for everyone's reply.
 

kcassells

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So the plug is at the bottom of the transom/hull. You leave it open when trailering etc. to let the bilge drain without a pump etc. Like if you had a bad rain, no boat cover on then gravity lets the water out. Good to have.
 

Canty0013

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Mar 19, 2020
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Oh yeah. I have the drain plug. I thought that may have been what you were talking about.
 
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