Hole through Transom

Davem3

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
542
Re: Hole through Transom

yes ......there is a problem.

The boat should in no way be that close to the water while drifting.......one good boat wave, and you are swimming.

If you look closely at the water line on the boat shown above that capsized......you can see the water line well above the chine of the boat.

In a factory boat.....the water line will be just a few inches above the chine.

The boat in the picture was overweight.....more than likely due to waterlogged foam.

Where is the water line on you boat?

Can you post pictures of the boat on a trailer.?

x2 .............
 

southkogs

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
14,991
Re: Hole through Transom

What kinda' boat you got there Hrokor? If I'm looking at it right, there's a drop from the gun wale down to the transom, and then your splash well drops even deeper! That scupper is kinda' close to the water by design ... don't think I've seen one that low before.

It is not like I have to bale the water out or anything, when I step to the back like to trim motor up and I see water seep through the hole. Lol, I read the first few comments and my mind was at ease now I am worried again.

I'm only concerned because it only takes you and another 100lbs to get water backing into that drain.

Making guesses from the photo - you've got about a 15' or 16' boat. She's probably rated for 5 or 6 people. With just you and another 100lbs, you're getting water backed up in your splash well. My thinking is if she's rated for 5 people, at least two of them (you and another 200lb buddy) should be able to stand in the back of that boat without taking water in. Really I think 3 people should be able to stand back there, but that transom is low. But from your description, if you and that 200lb buddy go for bait at the same time ... yer' swamped.

I may be completely wrong (don't want to freak you out over nuthin'), but something doesn't quite seem to add up.
 

Hrokor

Seaman
Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
58
Re: Hole through Transom

It's a 1975 15' Thunderbird. I can stand in the back with no problem if I am by myself and water doesn't "flood" in ever. It just kinda trickles in a bit. It has never even got over the drain hole really unless a swell hits me from the rear. Water has never gone over the transom either.
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: Hole through Transom

The guys are right, where is the water tank in the stern? On that small a boat, you should not be adding 100 pounds worth of water towards the stern. It would be better situated mid ship if possible. But like I sadi before, a little water coming through that hole will hurt nothing. Like all boaters with open transoms, you need to be aware of your surroundings. If you see a huge wake heading wowards the stern, get the bow into it.

Alot of boats sink by a wave coming over the stern and overwhelming the boat. To fast and not enough time to plane out of it before another comes crashing in. Just be careful especially when anchored..
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Hole through Transom

a side view would be better.......but guesstimating from the position of the garboard drain. (splash well) and the chine.....

the boat is sitting very very low on the water....

have you weighed this boat against manufacturers specs?

x2 means a poster agrees with a statment
 

Davem3

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
542
Re: Hole through Transom

no water mark at all, carp. Man, that has to be the lowest spashwell i have ever seen, and i have seen a few.

I have to agree with everyone else here, sounds like you close to max weight, and should either use a smaller cooler ( i did) or move it forward. Remember there is quite a bit in the back already when you count the motor, battery, gas, so forth and so on ............

P.S. the motor is a little close to the cement wall , there.
and one damn nice mercury...............

hey wait a minute, does anyone think that 50 HP is a little big for a 15 foot boat, remembering that a 4 stroke weighs more than the 2 stroke equivalent ??? just a thought, IMHO?

okay some numbers here: motor 250 pounds , gas we will say 54 pounds, battery guessing at 60 pounds if he got a good marine battery, totaling at about 365 in the back alone, with noting else on board ?????
 

Hrokor

Seaman
Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
58
Re: Hole through Transom

a side view would be better.......but guesstimating from the position of the garboard drain. (splash well) and the chine.....

the boat is sitting very very low on the water....

have you weighed this boat against manufacturers specs?

x2 means a poster agrees with a statment
I have looked for specs on a 1975 thunderbird tri hull to no avail. Any ideas?
 

MTboatguy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
8,988
Re: Hole through Transom

If your getting water in the splash well, you have to much weight in the rear creating a low in the water situation, I would suspect to much motor and with the additions, you have created a situation that allows water to come through the drain hole. You need to adjust and move some weight out of the rear, one good wave and your going under. You need to shift weight forward in your boat, there is no way water should be seeping through the drain hole while floating.
 

southkogs

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
14,991
Re: Hole through Transom

... garboard drain...
Thanks Ward! I've been callin' those "scuppers" for years; didn't know that was the correct term for 'em. Guess I just assumed cause they did the same thing ...


I have looked for specs on a 1975 thunderbird tri hull to no avail. Any ideas?

Might try contacting Formula boats, I think they own what was Thunderbird. I don't think you're overpowered with a 50, I would guess the boat is rated for 65hp. But at 15' you're probably just a little overweight in the back of the boat which is why you're seeing water creep in.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Hole through Transom

can you post a pic of the boat?

if its a tri hull.....the glastron t 156 was the most copied hull on the planet. if your hull is a copy......we have the stats.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Hole through Transom

hmmmm.....

Thunderbird tri hull.....

someone restored on of those here a few years back
 
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