Freeboard at Splashwell

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My current design for the boat extension project includes a storage locker that is at the height of the sheerline forward of the splashwell. I think I may be missing the reason that all C-Dorys have a cutout at the front edge of the splashwell. Certainly, that makes it easier to see the engine, but apparently at the expense of higher freeboard.

My dumb question of the moment is: "Why the front edge of the splashwell is cut so low?". I've seen several C-Brats' pictures where they have added material in one manner or another to thwart following waves. Is raising the freeboard to the gunwale a bad idea?

Tom
 
I asked the same question when I purchased our boat from the Factory and was told that if you ever took a large wave into the cockpit the cutout would allow a lot of the water to exit. Hopefully this would prevent a bad swapping problem. An additional comment would be that we have never taken any water in over the back as the C-dorys float like a cork on top of the water. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I know a lot of people talk about the possibility of water entering the cockpit through the trasom cut out, and a lot of owners have taken steps to fill that notch with something, but has anybody ever had water actually enter the boat through this cut out?
 
Matt,

I think I presented the issue bassakwards. Since C-Dorys sport the lower height on the front end of the splashwell since its first models and there are still lots of C-Brats it probably isn't a big danger. What I'm really wondering is if there's a functional reason not to close in the back of the cockpit to the sheerline. I've heard about better access to the engine and to remove the cover when it's tilted forward, but that's the only reason I've heard or run across for a lower-than-sheerline splashwell.

I'm planning on a one-foot-wide. gunwale to gunwale storage locker just forward of the splashwell in my redo. The full height would provide lots of room that I'd like to keep in the finished boat unless there's a compelling reason to lower it.

T
 
Matt Gurnsey":1fpgzkzw said:
I know a lot of people talk about the possibility of water entering the cockpit through the trasom cut out, and a lot of owners have taken steps to fill that notch with something, but has anybody ever had water actually enter the boat through this cut out?
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I have - but not much. In my mind, it's only really an issue under certain circumstances - like backing down on a fish, backing to reduce drift when you have 300' of line out for halibut or while pulling a crab or shrimp pot (backing into ocean swells). Of course, backing into ocean swells is not the wisest thing to do but it does get done every now and then by fishermen.

IMHO, if enough water comes over that it can flow back out the cutout, you may be screwed already. So I don't see a particular benefit to the cutout and I have a piece of starboard across mine. If a big wave were to come across the back, I have no doubt it would blow my flimsy starboard right out but it does prevent the occasional splash from coming in while I'm backing down on a fish.
 
A CD 25 with twin honda 90s was swamped and lost out of Homer Alaska several years ago- three huge waves over the stern, with the third or fourth rolling the boat over. Overloaded? - maybe. Not paying attention?- maybe. Too rough for fishing anyway- probably. Where in the hell do three or four extra large waves develop from- I don't know. I Have more knowledge of the incident but this should do. Any questions ask. I will agree that C Dorys ride like a cork. The floatation in the boat worked, so the boat was salvaged the next day. I would trust a Cdory over most boats. There has been many discussions on trim, boat loading with proper weight distribution. My two cents worth is load a boat like you would a canoe- even trim at rest. Don't rely on trim tabs to do extra work to correct a lousy balance job. This requires forward speed that you don't have when trolling. Roger
 
Well, yes, I've had water come over the splashwell, even with the extension that I've put in. Actually, when it has happened, is when I am drifting offshore for halibut. I want the large wave action, and allow the downrigger balls to bounce off the bottom for halibut. When the wind and drift is right, the bouncing is good, but the waves will come in through the transom and splash in hard enough to get some spray over the board I've put in to bring the level up to that of the gunnels. I don't think that this would happen under power, but with drifting in the right conditions it does happen. I wouldn't feel safe fishing in this manner without the board in place. Many of offshore boat models I've seen have the motor well front at gunnel height. Ron
IMG_0519.jpg
 
Had many discussions with Mark Toland (mid 90's) about various C dory issues and this was one of them. The inner spashwell is cut lower to let the water out should you take a big wave (not to see the motor better although thats a benift). Partial self bailing and he recommended not to alter it. I think he said (it's been awhile) you could still make way in this situation (cock pit half full of water) although I hope I never have to test it. Never have taken water in the cock pit even though have been through some extreme conditions. Incidently Mark was not concerned with typical following seas (this was my concern) he said the Cdory will just scoot foreward in front of them.
 
Too bad they can't make the baffle a one-way door, like a scupper, that would keep water out from astern, but let it out once it was in (if it came over the baffle).

But looking at the track record of how well scuppers work at the water level, one wonders how well it might work (!?!)

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
RogerJuntunen":3okij4ht said:
. . . My two cents worth is load a boat like you would a canoe- even trim at rest. Don't rely on trim tabs to do extra work to correct a lousy balance job. This requires forward speed that you don't have when trolling. Roger
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Amen.
 
RogerJuntunen":1p50lpye said:
A CD 25 with twin honda 90s was swamped and lost out of Homer Alaska several years ago- three huge waves over the stern, with the third or fourth rolling the boat over. Overloaded? - maybe. Not paying attention?- maybe. Roger
Click to expand...

Roger, I'm not certain, but as I remember the story regarding the above incident, the vessel's anchor rode became entangled in his engine and turned the vessel stern ways into the waves.
 
I looked at the cockpit of my 22' last night. If you took the big one over the stern to the extent that you were depending on that notch to let the water out, it is over. There would vitually be no way to regain control of the situation. There would be just too much water back there. As long as the boat wasn't tethered to something or backing into waves too fast I can't see how you could get much water over the stern. Their buoyancy would prevent most of that. I had a boston whaler that got swamped at the dock by a wakeboard boat one time. Totally swamped. Water right to the top. The power head remained out of water so I started it and cast off. The only water I could get out left by way of the drain hole. The weight of all that water prevents you from attaining much forward momentum. So even if you are under full power you aren't going to be making much headway. No acceleration, no water going out through that notch.
 
Water over the stern? Some can come over, but not much. I have boating and fished the open Gulf of Alaska for many years and never even had anything more than a little splash here and there come over the back. Now don't get me wrong, I don't go out when it is questionable, I go out when it is safe (hence why I can still post). It has never been an issue, and it is rarely even enough to get anything really wet. My feeling is that if you are out and taking water over the back (a substantial amount), it is past time that you should be going in and now time to panic......

As far as the CD 25 sinking in Homer, I can see any boat sinking over there once you round the Southern point out of the bay and into Cook Inlet (Flat Island and beyond to fish) on a bad tide and wind day. The waves can show up in nearly an instant, are very steep, and are often confused. The 30 foot tides Cook Inlet gets can be serious business with the wrong ocean topography and wind conditions. It is something I try avoid when fishing Homer. I am sure that Jack will chime in and explain how bad they suck at some point.....
 
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