Should I plug the scupper holes in my kayak?
We do not recommend sealing your scupper holes completely. In fact it could cause your kayak to actually flood and become too heavy to paddle. A better option is a good fitting scupper plug that is easy to install and remove as needed and as conditions change.
What size are kayak scupper holes?
The average kayak has 6-8 scupper holes in various sections of the boat. Gene likes to keep the rear holes plugged because that’s where most of the weight is carried. Plugging them helps give the boat a bit of lift out of the water. It also keeps that area drier.
Should scupper holes be open or closed?
Just pop them in the holes to keep the cold water out. You might want to keep one or two scupper holes open to provide the perfect balance of drainage and a dry deck or you can remove one as needed, use a few scupper valves, use a bilge pump, or a sponge to get rid of excess water.
Why do sit-on-top kayaks have holes in them?
The holes are designed to ensure that water drains off the deck every time the kayak is at a standstill. Many kayaks are crafted with innovative hulls to ensure that safe-bailing can happen without the need for forward movement. Some kayaks can self-bail within 60 seconds of sitting static.
How do kayak scupper plugs work?
They are a safety feature of sit-on-top kayaks, but their purpose is to plug up the scupper drain hole. Designed only to fit the scupper holes, the plugs fill those openings to keep water from getting into the kayak during those times that your boat takes on extra water.
Can a sit-on-top kayak sink?
Sit-on-top yaks will generally not sink. This is because they are usually designed with scupper holes to make them self bailing if they take on water. They will also tend to have molded, sealed hulls which can act in the same way as a bulkhead, by trapping air within the hull providing buoyancy.
Are scupper plugs universal?
Their cone-like shape allows them to fit into scupper holes ranging from a fit of ¾ of an inch to 1½ inch. The Best Universal Kayak Scupper Plug Kit is ideal if you have lost your scupper plugs but have no real idea what size the scupper holes are, as they are a universal fit.
Are sit-on-top kayaks more stable?
If all other dimensions are equal, a sit-inside (open-cockpit) kayak is more stable than a sit-on-top kayak. In an open-cockpit kayak you’re sitting lower in the boat. Your center of gravity (aka rear-end) is at or near the level of the water.
Will a kayak float without scupper plugs?
No, you won’t sink without kayak scupper plugs. If the kayak plugs are not in the holes, water that enters the kayak will drain out. These self-bailing holes are designed to let water out so your kayak doesn’t fill up with water.
