Side or under water discharge?

[Peleka7]

I currently have underwater discharge but want to minimize the thru-hulls that can sink me. Another factor is that the port head discharge valve is in a difficult location and difficult to access.

I have seen some boats with the discharge a couple of inches above the water line.

Any thoughts about this?

 

[pdecat]

ugh, a good breeze or a little wave slap would make things most unpleasant.

depending on your tack wouldnt it be under water at times anyway?

 

[Vic Willman]

Pel, mechanically, it makes no difference. My personal preference is to have the discharge through-hull "just below" the waterline, maybe 2"-4". Mainly for aesthetic purposes. The possibility of staining the side of the hull notwithstanding, it isn't very pleasant (and it won't likely smell very good) to have the through hull above the waterline. However, in your particular case, I'd be inclined to have it above the waterline for the very reasons you stated (one less hole in the boat that is below the waterline, etc.). But your case is not the standard situation... So go with what you feel the most comfortable with.

 

[Peleka7]

Pde...It's a catamaran, doesn't heel over at all (unless something very bad is happening).

 

[rawidman]

quote:

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Originally posted by Peleka7

I currently have underwater discharge but want to minimize the thru-hulls that can sink me. Another factor is that the port head discharge valve is in a difficult location and difficult to access.

I have seen some boats with the discharge a couple of inches above the water line.

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This topic was discussed extensively here:

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=141776

Since you already have a below waterline thru hull, and eliminating it and properly repairing the hole would be pretty difficult, I would recommend leaving it just as is is