Does cutout on transome of this "cruser/racer" make sense or no?

[Squidly-Diddly]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/3867073107.html


I'm thinking it would just allow waves to wash up and maybe unsecured crew and items to wash out.


I could see maybe a hinged door which could be opened when stopped, but still keep out waves and keep things in the cockpit.

 

[jehardiman]

Open transoms were originaly to save weight and help freeing, but seeing where that rudderpost is, I'm not so sure about this DIY. Looks like at least winch handles are at risk....Thunk...skitter...splash...followed quickly by "Damne!"...

Here is an unmodded Serendipity 43

 

[rwatson]

It makes entry to the water a bit easier, you could launch and retrieve two kayaks very easily.

If the purpose is to make getting huge bow waves out of the cockpit quickly, it needs to have some sort of 'strainer' to separate bodies and gear from the seawater before it goes overboard. Maybe there is a net thing on the boat for this purpose.

 

[messabout]

That is not an unusual feature on sailing dinghys. The little boats usually have a gasketed door that hinges in such a way as to drain the innards of the boat while underway. The door is usually held shut by a cleated line or sometimes a bungee. The door is allowed to open as necessary but is otherwise kept closed. The doors are often made of Lexan or Plexi so that the skipper can see the condition of water exit at the transom/waterline intersection.

That is a useful feature on a dinghy. On this boat, the door would be pretty big and the swim ladder would interfere. All out racer boats with open transoms are apt to get the crew wet but the water will exit as soon as it comes aboard (along with winch handles and sandwich containers of course)