Help with a drainage problem

[Emerger]

Hi everybody. Recently bought a 1986 Starcraft ss180. So far I've gutted it and am in the process of rebuilding it. I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the progress (or lack thereof) if anyone's interested.

The question I have is about drainage in the very bottom of the hull. At the lowest point of the ribs there are narrow gaps between the rib and hull to allow water to fully drain. The problem is they are so flat and narrow any little thing at all will clog them. Anyone ever open those up in any way? I'm hesitant to do anything at all with them for fear of damaging either the hull or the ribs.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Hi everybody. Recently bought a 1986 Starcraft ss180. So far I've gutted it and am in the process of rebuilding it. I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the progress (or lack thereof) if anyone's interested.

The question I have is about drainage in the very bottom of the hull. At the lowest point of the ribs there are narrow gaps between the rib and hull to allow water to fully drain. The problem is they are so flat and narrow any little thing at all will clog them. Anyone ever open those up in any way? I'm hesitant to do anything at all with them for fear of damaging either the hull or the ribs.

Any help is much appreciated.

It’s not a great design is it?. Add a few rebuilds and you know there’s rivet tails in there adding to the trouble. Without fully removing the ribs, adding a drainage channel in each, I doubt there’s anything that really make them better.

 

[SHSU]

Second what @ShoestringMariner said. I did remove mine, but made no improvement to the "channel". With how I laid the flooring, it prevents anything from falling below. Otherwise, I just try and keep the bilge as clean as possible. If I ever redo or someone does, I will ask them what they find. lol

SHSU

 

[classiccat]

I added clean-out ports to my 18' SS that allows me to access every single limber hole with a butter knife. It took a bit of planning with regard to the deck cutting, structural supports and foam but I'm glad that I did it.

 

[Emerger]

I added clean-out ports to my 18' SS that allows me to access every single limber hole with a butter knife. It took a bit of planning with regard to the deck cutting, structural supports and foam but I'm glad that I did it.

I never thought about that. It's a good idea. Funny you mention a butter knife. I cut a piece of 3/4" aluminum bar and used it to clean them out. I rounded off the end of it to make it go in easier. It looks just like the blade of a butter knife.

 

[classiccat]

I never thought about that. It's a good idea. Funny you mention a butter knife. I cut a piece of 3/4" aluminum bar and used it to clean them out. I rounded off the end of it to make it go in easier. It looks just like the blade of a butter knife.

here they are in action: link.

 

[Emerger]

here they are in action: link.

I like the access holes. My boat already had two in it to access the fuel fill and fuel gauge sending unit of the under deck fuel tank. The original tank had a hole in it so I removed it and I'm using an above deck tank instead. But re-cutting the access holes will be easy enough.

Thanks for solving my problem!!