Ballad Exchange

Hi Peter,
If you're talking about the hoses that drain the scuppers, I think the explanation for the design is that, in practice, there's really no high or low side to the scuppers: the boat's motion cancels out what would, on solid ground, be an obvious drainage problem. Really, the hoses only serve to drain the tiny bit of water that doesn't drain via the moulded scupper around the lid. In my opinion, they're unnecessary altogether. Still, I have not removed mine. The only reasons I can see for the current design are a) that the starboard drainage hose could become fouled in the gear shifter/throttle assembly if moved aft, and b) aesthetically, if one is lying on one's back in the quarterberth (I think you have this interior configuration, if I remember correctly), one would see the drainage hose above one's head if the port side drain were moved forward. I see no problem with moving the starboard side hose aft if you really want to do that. Nor do I see a problem eliminating it completely. God luck!
Joe

I´ve often wondered. Gravity is best working downwards. Which way is the slope when the boat is heeled somewhat?. Heeled to starboard the starboard scupper slopes downward forward. Heeled to port, however….
A drain at both ends would then be best.
Some form of drain is necessary in wet and windy weather on a long sailing leg. Sitting in an ever-deepening puddle is not recommended.
My port quarter berth is now a permanent locker. Bulkhead between it and the forward end which is now the "office", so a mirror-image of the stbd side would not be a problem
Keep Ballad-smiling
JosinJohn