Tomcat self bailing issues

Edward J · Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 11:15 pm Post subject: Tomcat self bailing issues

Hello all, i'm a new c-brat and new owner of a 2008 tomcat. I've been looking at tomcat's for few years and the tomcat fits my needs very well: camping and fishing and able to trailer. After shrimping yesterday in Hood Canal i was washing down the cockpit and i was surprised how long it took for water to drain. So my question is I have five batteries in the aft compartment, three house and two starter batteries, if i move the house batteries inside the pilot house will it improve the self bailing and is there a down side to having batteries in the pilot house. Thank you all very much for any advice.
Ed Jonson

ssobol · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Tomcat self bailing issues

thataway · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 12:11 pm Post subject:

If you have AGM or Li batteries, they can be placed in the pilot house. I had 4 AGM batteries in the pilot house on the Tom Cat 255. (That was in 2007) Today I would go with LI batteries for house bank. (but see precautions in other Li battery threads.

Was the issue that the scuppers were close to being under water? You want the cockpit water to drain aft. Also the "fish boxes" in the floor will fill with water from a wash down. I am not aware of anyone who has the seals to prevent leaking.

Although the 255 is a "big boat" for 25 feet--it is weight sensitive.

journey on · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 12:31 pm Post subject:

Journey On is a 25' CD. The cockpit drainage through the overboard drains is miserable, because the level of the cockpit floor is only inches above the waterline, hence no hydraulic head. In fact it we have over 2 people in the cockpit, the overboard drains are plugged so that water doesn't back drain. When we're in the water and I wash the cockpit, I ask Judy to set up front so that the drains drain.Sounds like the Tomcat has the same problems.

Also there are 2 hatches in the floor of the 25 CD. Water flowed freely through and around the seals giving a wet bilge. Dr. Bob found some hatches that would replace those and not leak. Installed 2 of them and now have a dry bilge. You could find hatches of the correct size and install them to keep the water out. Beats moving the batteries.

Boris

smckean (Tosca) · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 3:03 pm Post subject:

Boris,

I am confused by your statement that: "I ask Judy to set up front so that the drains drain." Did you mean that you have her sit far in the stern?

My CD25 2 cockpit drains out the far aft corners of the cockpit. If I have weight forward, true there more head height, but the water in the cockpit never gets to the drains because it just pools forward at the cabin bulkhead.

BTW, my solution while not moving, but on the water, is to stand as far back in the splashwell as I can on one side then the other. If moving (the best situation), I put the boat not quite on plane which tilts the stern strongly down allowing the water to drain easily.

On the trailer, obviously I just park on a modest hill.

journey on · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 4:00 pm Post subject:

Actually, when the boat is in the water and I'm washing out the cockpit, the weight balance is such that the scuppers are at or slightly under water. I can't plug them, since I need the water to drain, so Judy moves forward whilst I get the cockpit clean and somewhat drained and then comes back to help finish the cockpit drain.

And if you think that's convoluted, you should follow my thought whilst I'm washing the boat.

Boris

smckean (Tosca) · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 8:07 pm Post subject:

I see. Maybe my stern rides a little higher too. The bottom of the scuppers are maybe 1/2" above the water surface.

ChapaRRal Cock · Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 8:48 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem, take a look at my album. It fixed my scupper problem

Edward J · Posted: Sat May 28, 2022 8:44 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for info. Knotty Lady the work you have done looks impressive. Thanks for pics.

gulfcoast john · Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 10:18 am Post subject:

Hi Ed,

The aft scuppers are barely above the waterline as mentioned. Each has a fairly stiff one-way rubber flapper valve to prevent waves or wakes from injecting seawater into the cockpit. The downside of this design is that cockpit washdown water can only ‘dribble’ out the flapper while it’s only an inch or so higher than sea level.

The most significant factor on scupper height above the waterline on our boat is the gas load. Twin full 75g tanks carry 900 pounds of gas. A full freshwater tank adds another 230 pounds. Group 31 batteries may avg 70 pounds each. Consider those factors if you haven’t already before moving battery positions, which may produce wiring challenges and detract from inside storage.

Hope this is helpful,

John

C-Wolfe · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 4:00 pm Post subject:

I need to replace the rubber part of the scuppers that John mention on this last post. Anyone know where I could find those.

Captain Starbucks · Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:06 pm Post subject: