Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Ribside outside of DC

Posted by Finnegan on 05/22/17 - 11:08 PM
#4

As an Owner of one of these Ribside boats, there is one bad design detail that I have discovered, and although mine does not have any problems with it, I can see the potential for problems in freezing climates.

Whaler installed a bow locker drain pipe in the hull, which can hold water, freeze during winter storage, rupture the pipe and then continuously let water into the surrounding foam, maybe causing the problem Weatherly is referring to, at least on the starboard side.

The drain goes straight down vertically in the locker, about 2", then has a 90 degree elbow going into the long run (about 15') of copper tubing imbedded in the hull, running down the starboard side, and re appearing in the sump at the stern, also by turning straight up 2" again with another 90 degree elbow. The idea is to drain any water out of the bow locker, but water can also enter at this sump location, and sit in the tube which it would completely fill up. With freezing, the pipe could split, and I'm sure some have.

I keep this drain pipe plugged at both ends in mine (uses standard 1" twist plugs), but i'm sure many have not over the years. i think it's a really bad design idea, with no self draining. The only way water can get out of this tube is by bubbling up under pressure from excess water coming into it.