Stern Wet Well

I am restoring a Bolger Black Skimmer at the moment. His original design calls for a deeply chopped out transom (for motor mount) and a wet well forward for about 18 inches. The builder of this one, I believe very sensibly, elected to make the transom full. (I just don't get this fashion for nearly non existent transoms. Have they ever taken a following sea on board?)

So now I am wondering just what is the point of leaving this compartment flooding capable?

 

Are you ever going to fit a motor? Normally the height of the transom in way of the motor is only dependent on the anticipated motor leg length. The wet well is for the power head when the motor is kicked up and should be self draining. Often on down east Carolina boats, there is a full height transom to prevent boarding sea on the bars and the motor is totally enclosed in a wet well so you can use less expensive short leg motors.

 

I should have mentioned that my son is bringing over an electric outboard for it on Friday. This model has a length adjustable leg, just another advantage to them. (If I never had to deal with another small gas engine in my lifetime I would be grateful.) The previous owner had installed a transom outboard mounting, which does looks like the north end of a south bound cow, but I presume is functional. He fitted it because he didn't want to compromise the otherwise 9.5" draft.

 

If the electric OB lives on a transom mounted OB bracket, the whole question is moot. Do what ever you want with the wet well.

 

I agree with you. But I just didn't understand why a great designer like Bolger would put one in. Was it in case his chopped down transom got swamped? Seems to me the tiny drains provided wouldn't have helped much, particularly if the water got into the 10 foot long cockpit just ahead. But then as I said, the whole idea of chopping down a transom mystifies me. All this to save a few bucks on an outboard? I guess it does look sexier than a transom mount. This is not a reason to do it as far as I am concerned.

 

The Skimmer had holes in the bottom of the well for good reason. That boat is from way back in time, perhaps before outboards used fuel injection. When tipped up the carburetors were prone to dribble a few drops of oily fuel. The flooded compartment did help remove most of the drip and thus eliminate or at least mitigate the smell of the dripped fuel. Some of we rag boaters are offended by smelly mechanical things.

The holes in the bottom of the forepeak were also of good advantage. The flooded compartment would do a good job of washing a muddy anchor. It would also provide an ideal place to shower when naked in a crowded mooring. The shower water came from a sun heated bag hung from the mast, or wherever. Some of Old Phil's ideas seemed outrageous until you tried them, then pretty clever in fact.

 

So old I'll bet the transom was sized for Seagull.

 

I never thought of that! Of course that would be a problem, and still could be. We don't call them "stink pots" for nothing!

I had a delightful afternoon with The Nomad Boatbuilder, and among many other great suggestions he convinced me to let the wet well stay. I wanted to use it for batteries, but making some hatches in the seats on either side of the next compartment forward, now dead space, would accommodate them and much else besides. The drains do provide a convenient way to clear the whole cockpit area.