The first article in our Boats and Boat Parts series is all about scuppers. As penned by Robbie Bevan of BG Boat Parts.
A scupper is an opening in the side of a boat to aid in the draining of water. The scupper is constructed of three main parts. The first is a plastic injection moulded housing that will make up the main body of the scupper. The remaining two parts comprise a rubber seal with a hole in it and a plastic ball. When they’re combined, the ball is placed in the main body and the rubber seal is then placed over the large opening.
The scupper is used normally on the transom. A transom is the surface that forms the stern – back of a vessel. This is mounted above the water line of the vessel as this will allow the water to drain off the deck while under way as well as when moored. The scupper is used whenever the vessel is on the water. As such it’s maintenance is imperative to your boat.
A drain hole is inserted into the transom of the vessel. The scupper is mounted over the hole to prevent the water from flooding the deck. To prevent the deck from flooding the plastic ball is forced up by the water and is seated into the hole in the rubber seal of the scupper.
To see the range of scuppers we stock, check this out: Range of Scuppers, Bungs and Thru-Hull connectors
