SK14 in Katy, TX
Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
I had and issue with my scuppers scuppering when launching or if i had to go to the aft and the first mate was absent from the bow. I made some remote-control scupper flaps that are activated from the front wall of the cockpit. Sprung hinge, string and jam cleat. Has made a huge difference. May not work for you but though i'd mention it.
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
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Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
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Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
That's slick!
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before - Neil Gaiman
Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
I just let mine flood in some when I back down and then wash right out when it's level. I have the much bigger scupper as shown in the plans and like it. Once a big boat went across my bow, mushing along on half plane, and rolled a big wave over my bow which just rolled right on out the big scupper. I had water over my ankles but it was gone moments.
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Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Thank you for the input. This is a good idea, I like the idea of having the jam cleat to hold the door shut when I need to to be. I'll play around with the design, but I think it will look very similar to what you have.
Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
So, bit of a story. Before I added the remote part, my scuppers could be closed by spinning the (then) round cover to tighten them, which worked great in some ways, but when on the boat, required me to lean over the back to close(if they were open) which would flood the boat some, trapping water. so i tended to just leave them open.
Bamaguy came down to Ozello to fish with me and he's a bigger dude than my first mate. while fishing, the scuppers were open(dumb) and we did some anchoring from the stern and we took on some more water and because he was on the bow, much of that water migrated forward, which normally does not happen. I didn't think much of it at the time, if at all. Next day, out with the wife, we were again anchoring from the stern with the scuppers open, not realizing there was already some water in the bow area, and a lot of water on the sole slowly migrating to the bilge, and after a while, I heard a gurgling sound, and sure enough, boat was sinking. I called the marina we were camping at, Ozello keys(absolutely amazing place for skiff-camping btw), asked them to put my trailer on the ramp and I blasted back, got the boat on the trailer and dried it out. Only scared the absolute complete shit out of me, otherwise not a big deal.
I suspect that if i cruised nose-up for a while, the water on the sole would have gone out the scuppers. But we did do a few miles back to the ramp and there was still a LOT of water in the boat. So maybe when the stern is already deep, the scuppers don't scup as well, not sure. That is something I need to do some testing with in a VERY controlled environment. I also want to add a pump on the sole as a backup to the scuppers in case they get clogged with leaves etc. Water will migrate to the bilge, where I have a pump, but very slowly.
If my motor had died, or not started, could been a bigger deal. not a huge safety issue at that moment as we were in pretty tight quarters and not very deep water.
But, bottom line, if you're gonna be anchored from the stern, which we do a lot of for a number of reasons, may be good to be able to close that scupper.
Bamaguy came down to Ozello to fish with me and he's a bigger dude than my first mate. while fishing, the scuppers were open(dumb) and we did some anchoring from the stern and we took on some more water and because he was on the bow, much of that water migrated forward, which normally does not happen. I didn't think much of it at the time, if at all. Next day, out with the wife, we were again anchoring from the stern with the scuppers open, not realizing there was already some water in the bow area, and a lot of water on the sole slowly migrating to the bilge, and after a while, I heard a gurgling sound, and sure enough, boat was sinking. I called the marina we were camping at, Ozello keys(absolutely amazing place for skiff-camping btw), asked them to put my trailer on the ramp and I blasted back, got the boat on the trailer and dried it out. Only scared the absolute complete shit out of me, otherwise not a big deal.
I suspect that if i cruised nose-up for a while, the water on the sole would have gone out the scuppers. But we did do a few miles back to the ramp and there was still a LOT of water in the boat. So maybe when the stern is already deep, the scuppers don't scup as well, not sure. That is something I need to do some testing with in a VERY controlled environment. I also want to add a pump on the sole as a backup to the scuppers in case they get clogged with leaves etc. Water will migrate to the bilge, where I have a pump, but very slowly.
If my motor had died, or not started, could been a bigger deal. not a huge safety issue at that moment as we were in pretty tight quarters and not very deep water.
But, bottom line, if you're gonna be anchored from the stern, which we do a lot of for a number of reasons, may be good to be able to close that scupper.
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
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Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Not apples to apples but I live in an area with fast flowing rivers and huge tides offshore so things are a little different for me. Being anchored off the stern for many is a death sentence. I know of times where pulling the anchor with a buoy they let the line get hung in the prop and the current sucked the stern under. It can happen to even larger boats. I watched an ocean going 85 foot tug setting huge anchors pre-rigged with line and buoys. They would drop the anchor and let the line and buoy fall off the stern. For some reason a buoy got hung up and when the anchor set it pulled stern under. In less than a minute the tug was gone.
Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Indeed Fuzz, the trouble-potential is real! I picked up the habit in my driftboat, which is quite common, though no less treacherous. I am committed to it on my skiff. Spent some time getting the driftboat-style-anchor system working smoothly, works great. In mangroves, as an example, we like to "hang" on the "upstream" side of a point/bank (the Lee Shore!) and pepper it, gradually let out more line to swing around a little and really cover the bank . We anchor from the back because when you are anchored from the bow, you either need to cast over the boat, or else try to fish either from the top of the poling platform or with the poling platform in your face. possible, but far less ideal, esp with a flyrod.Fuzz wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 3:31 pm Not apples to apples but I live in an area with fast flowing rivers and huge tides offshore so things are a little different for me. Being anchored off the stern for many is a death sentence. I know of times where pulling the anchor with a buoy they let the line get hung in the prop and the current sucked the stern under. It can happen to even larger boats. I watched an ocean going 85 foot tug setting huge anchors pre-rigged with line and buoys. They would drop the anchor and let the line and buoy fall off the stern. For some reason a buoy got hung up and when the anchor set it pulled stern under. In less than a minute the tug was gone.
When we are underway, that anchor arm swings forward and the anchor sits in a bucket in the cockpit. The anchor line goes forward to a jam cleat so Elaine can just reach down to let out more or less line. It is a poor-mans Talon. I do use my pole for the same purpose sometimes but that has it's own difficulties.
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
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Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Great discussion above, I've taken some of the points and tried to work solutions into my build. The marine mat arrives today, which I'm excited to get installed.
Project update:
Project update:
- I've cleaned up my shifter linkage and replaced the hardware with Al shoulder bolts, and low-friction washers.
- The Helmsmate tiller extension that I had was flimsy. I called the guys over at Carbon Marine in search for a blem, and ended up buying a refurbished extension that someone had traded in for a very very reasonable price. This this is solid, light, and super stiff. I still need to figure out the radiator hose extension at the end to allow me to make tighter right turns while adjusting the throttle.
- I made a scupper flap that is mounted to the transom board. Since the transom is canted back, I'm just letting it passively open. The flap open limit is constrained my the lower unit of the outboard. I plan on using the cord and jam cleat to hold it closed during launch and when I'm at the back in calm water. Thanks for that idea, I like it. I'm using the same gasket tape that I used for my hatch up front, it's very compliant and should be easy to seat with a yank on the cord. I'm waiting for the epoxy to off-gas, and I'll prime and paint this flap to match the rest of the hull.
- I made some mounts for the anchor/push pole and paddle to get those items off the deck. I epoxied some 316 bolts into the rub rail, and used 316 threaded inserts into the dowel, The outside is reinforced with some safety wire clamps.
- I've also made a 5 of these removable tethers for the anchor pole; one for each pole mount, and one for the cleat up front. They should make it a little easier to anchor in the flats, without having to have a line tied to the grab bar.
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Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Well the decking arrived and I'm delighted with the results. Going to take it out this weekend for it's second voyage.
Re: SK14 in Katy, TX
Looks incredible, very well done!!!
There are only two seasons in Vermont: boating season, and boat-building season.
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
Completed Paul Butler 14' Clark Fork Drifter
Completed Jacques Mertens FS14LS + 10%, Build Thread
Started Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie
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