Does water get trapped in step hulls?

BL6 · 03-27-2007, 06:17 PM

Having owned all straight (non-step) hulls, looking at step hulls. As water gets in the bildge from time to time and shifts around while underway, can it move forward and get trapped in to step portion of the hull? Can this cause any problems? I realize various manufactors have different types of steps, some have drain plugs some do not.

Also some boats I've owned bildge is always dry, on others water seeps in and I have pull the drain plug at ramp each time. Is water in bildge a threat to hull?
thnks!

dave911 · 03-27-2007, 06:37 PM

From what I've seen steps would not impede water from the bow toward the transom. Should not be a problem.
**EDIT...I'M WRONG ON THIS...READ OTHER RESPONSES**

Water is xxtra weight, and will likely find and exploit any imperfections in a boats finish, which will ultimately corrode something and lead to early hull / stringer failure.

Basically,
Water outside boat = good

Water inside boat = bad

bouyhunter · 03-27-2007, 06:42 PM

Good question to post.
I've owned three boats, and grew up on two of my father's.
All five boats were kept in the water, and there was always at least a little water in the bilge. Probably rain.
I've run on other guys boats that were strictly trailered, and when we pulled the boat out, there has always been some water in the bilge.
Maybe overspray from wave crushing, maybe otherwise, I don't know.

Donzi38ZXXX · 03-27-2007, 08:05 PM

I have separate bilge pumps in the step areas.

Sydwayz · 03-27-2007, 08:52 PM

AVH Active Thunders come with an automatic water sensing bilge pump at the base of the step. As an option at build time, you can have drain plugs installed in the aft portion of the step.

mmwalters · 03-27-2007, 10:51 PM

I know in a cat the answer is yes

2112 · 03-28-2007, 01:31 AM

So how do you get it out on boats where they are not accessible?

Tip the nose down low and vacuum it out up front?

bobkatz · 03-28-2007, 08:02 AM

We pull the plugs on the ramp, and tow it home with them out. The new boat has two little bilge pumps in the front steps to get any trapped water out.

Airpacker · 03-28-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2112

So how do you get it out on boats where they are not accessible?

Tip the nose down low and vacuum it out up front?

That is exactly what I do with my daytona. Good old shop vac.