A boat question, can anyone help?

Question

Does anyone know if an American Skiff is self bailing?

Answer 1

i recomment installin a bilge alarm... and this link will help you if you see water in the bilge then something is wrong..could be anything or any reason.. http://www.nauticexpo.com/boat-manufactu...

get a alarm a new pump and then you have peace of mind and no surprises ok.. good luck.

Answer 2

Skiffs by design are shallow water boats... In fact, they probably run in shallower water than any other boat.  Today, boats (by law) have enough floation in them - they will not sink.  Also by design, the American skiff is high on the water, and has deep sides.  

So, design wise, they could very well be totally "self bailing", but still... that leaves the answer to your question of "Are American Skiffs self bailing?"

     I think the answer is, well... "Yes and No". It depends on who is defining "self bailing". To me, self bailing is a boat that under all conditions, regardless of load or engine size, (up to the rated load capacity) keeps the floor (and your feet) dry, at dock or with crew while under way.

Back in the 60's Boston Whaler stated their boats were self bailing. In those days very few small craft would self bail. The Whaler would sit at the dock (not sink) but have enough  water on the floor to soak your feet. When you got underway and the boat on plane, the water would all drain out - thus, to a degree - the boat was "self bailing".  

American Skiff states their boats self bail correctly when moored to the dock, with the recommended horsepower engine and with proper weight distribution. That doesn't tell you that you wont get your feet wet.

So, if I were you... I would ask American Skiff for an on the water test ride.  When you take the ride, take the drain plug out.  If indeed it is truly - totally self bailing... you will not get your feet wet.

And as you probably already know... these newer skiffs don't really provide a proper area - much less an unobtrusive area to install a bilge pump. So anyone that recommends one - obviously isn't familiar at all with that boat.

Answer 3

wow... Im stumped.... i dont have an answer to that sorry...

Answer 4

Hi Sunny

The American Skiffs we've seen in our travels offer a bilge pump as standard equipment and are not self-bailing.

Here's a link to the manufacturer's website.

http://www.americanskiff.com/index.html

Hope this helps.

(EDIT- Sorry Capt. John, while I generally agree with your answers, I think you "missed the boat" on this one. The American Skiff 19CC even has an automatic bilge pump as standard equipment.)