The water drain holes I don't understand

[vicrider]

I've been around boats all my life, 78 years of them. I've had boats from 8' to 28' of many kinds but nothing big recently. Now I've kind of gotten hooked on watching Youtube channels on Haulover Inlet and similar. Here's what's new to me and I can't understand. Down where the bow rake starts to taper into the bottom planing surface there are many boats with what looks like two holes that spew water every time the bow dips and lifts in the inlet waves. I don't understand this and would like to have someone explain to an oldtimer what gives with the holes draining water. Are they completely through the hull?

 

[Chris1956]

A lot of boats have bow thrusters built into that area. They are open to both sides of the boat, but sealed to the hull, otherwise.

 

[racerone]

Agreed-----Bow thrusters.

 

[Beagleville]

Correct. There's a small "tunnel" that goes through the front from port to starboard; contains a propeller which can spin in either direction helping to maneuver when docking. Pretty handy. I too enjoy those Haulover videos, and have vowed to never own a bow rider where it's very choppy.

 

[vicrider]

Okay guys, I used to work on the docks or Reserve Mining and shipped Iron Ore from northern MN. I'm familiar with bow thrusters on the big ships but just never thought of them on smaller boats. Yachts yes but boats in the size I had no. I did have a couple of twin engine boats and they really can be maneauvered well if you're good on the throttles. Thank you.

On Haulover, agreed on open bow and I just get sick when I see kids riding in the bow section with no life jackets and getting tossed around and swamped, especially if I see a "captain" who really should stick to ponds.

 

[flashback]

Might be anchor locker drains........

 

[racerone]

Bow thrusters.

 

[Scott Danforth]

small holes would be anchor locker drains
3" or 4" holes would be small bow thruster
5" or 6" holes would be large bow thruster

 

[Chris1956]

Haulover inlet is real challenging. I saw a 30 footer stuff it's bow and crack the bow fiberglass well above the bow eye.

Also, larger boats take water over the bow. Narration says to go faster to keep bow up. Has no one ever thought to trim motor up?

 

[racerone]

Some of these operators are very experienced and do well.-----The novices are the ones who provide the entertainment.

 

[ejnichol]

Haulover inlet is real challenging. I saw a 30 footer stuff it's bow and crack the bow fiberglass well above the bow eye.

Also, larger boats take water over the bow. Narration says to go faster to keep bow up. Has no one ever thought to trim motor up?

A lot of the ones that stuff the bow run slow and engine all the way in/bow down.

Boats that have a drop nose also make bow stuffing more likely. Some boats are designed to look too cool at the expense of seaworthiness. Saw last week on YouTube a large slick looking Sea Ray cruiser with extreme amount downward bow deflection that just loved to stuff its bow. He was also running too slow and that made it worse.

 

[vicrider]

Years ago when I had my 24' old style flat front cruiser on Lake Superior I was entering Duluth Harbor with a strong NE wind fighting the out going current. It was true inlet conditions and I was working my way through when a really big one tried to turn me sideways in the trough. It took all the power of that 350 ci Chevy block to push me back straight over the crest and having been there I really appreciate the ones who handle Haulover and others well. Years on Lake Superior did a lot to teach boat handling and my CG license was well earned many times.

I had an open cockpit center console outboard years ago I agree with those who say "No bow riders on Haulover for me". I could keep it dry by lifting motor and raising bow in most chops on Superior but the Cat type hull could make for a good pounding.