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What is the best location for drain holes in a ZIP? If I install a bilge pump, where is it best to have that discharge? Surely the transom well will need a drain also?

So many questions....

Yes the motor/splash well absolutely needs drain holes. I used these well drain holes in my ZIP as drain ports for my bilge pumps. you should be able to see the holes in the front end of the well that the bilge pumps discharge through to get into the well. I opted to NOT install any drain holes in the transom at the bottom of the boat.

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This is my first, last and only boat build.

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Drain holes on each side of the keel exiting the transom would be best so you can empty both sides of the keel. I never installed drains on mine though since I will never be on the water in inclimate weather and am just a fair-weather, outboard powered, trailer-boater. At the end of the day I can towel dry the bilge if it gets wet from swimmers. The most water I ever had in my boat was when towing on the highway for a couple hours in the rain. Got about a half gallon in the boat, not even enough for the bilge pump to work. If you ever really needed them though it would be a good idea to have a bilge pump at the transom and another up in front of frame 4 as well. Water can collect there too in my case mostly when on the trailer on flat ground. The pitch of my boat is so neutral on the trailer and hitched to the SUV that water wont run to the back on its own. I could see that happening at rest on the water too. Again though for a fair weather trailer boater how much does a person really need? In my view the more holes in a boat the more potential leaks. So I didnt drill any holes below the waterline and I have only had rain water enter my boat and it sure takes a lot of rain to even see a puddle in the bilge. I think I would have been ok with a sponge for normal use and a bucket for emergency use.

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My Zip build log...
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"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

I like the way you think Chris. I think I'll buy this $20 hand-powered bilge pump in the event I need to get water out of the boat and forget the added complication of drain holes. I'm all about keeping things simple.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... Bilge_Pump

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Andy Garrett

"When all else fails, follow the instructions." -Dad

And you can always add them later.

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
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"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

I'd add them anyway.....you don't want water weight if you get caught in the rain on a trip.....nor stopping to pump it out every few miles.

I have seen boats with trailer roller holes punched through the bottom from rain water in an open boat in an extreme storm

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Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

I had my new AL tank leak gas into the bilge on my Zip. I was really glad I had two drains in my transom so I could flush the fuel out with lots of water and soap.

Roberta

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"