Annually, dozens of kayaks of various types and sizes experience sinking incidents, with a majority of these occurrences taking place at the dock. If a kayak sinks, the consequences can be substantial. Furthermore, these consequences include potential loss of personal belongings and equipment, damage to the kayak, and even the peril of loss of life. To mitigate this risk, kayaks are typically crafted with specialized openings known as scuppers or scupper holes.
What are scupper holes?
Scuppers or scupper holes function as openings situated on the side walls of kayaks or any open-air boat structure. Further to facilitate the efficient drainage of water. Typically, these openings are positioned at or near ground level. Consequently, these scupper holes effectively allow water or liquids to flow away to the kayak’s side. Moreover, this design prevents any accumulation within the craft’s side walls. Notably, kayak scupper holes are commonly found at the footwells, within the cockpit, or at the tank well. These intentionally designed openings serve as self-bailing mechanisms, ensuring the automatic drainage of any incoming water or water flowing over the deck.
Standard scupper design on kayaks
For all safe kayaks, the standard number of scuppers is four holes. The holes are designed to ensure that water drains off the deck every time the kayak is at a standstill. Furthermore, many kayaks are crafted with innovative hulls. This is to ensure that safe bailing can happen without the need for forward movement. However, some kayaks can self-bail within 60 seconds of sitting static.
Scupper plugs
To ensure that kayak users remain dry throughout their journeys, scupper holes are typically equipped with scupper plugs. These scupper plugs, typically crafted from compressible materials, fit securely into the holes, effectively preventing water from entering the cockpit. Additionally, some scupper holes are deliberately designed and enlarged to accommodate transducers.
Scupper plugs, also referred to as stoppers, are available in various sizes to match the corresponding holes. Furthermore, these openings may feature valves. This serves to regulate the volume of water that enters a kayak through the hole. Additionally, this also drains any water that comes over the kayak’s side during paddling excursions.
For more details about renting kayaks featuring appropriately designed scupper holes, plugs, and valves, please visit the “Captain Mike’s Kayak Academy” website.
- Austin Kayak. (2010). The Truth About Scupper Plugs. Retrieved from https://www.austinkayak.com/blog/2010/11/the-truth-about-scupper-plugs/
