Why Do Kayak Have Holes?

You’re out on an enchanting lake, gliding peacefully in your kayak. Everything seems to be perfect — just like a dream come true! 

And all of a sudden, you notice water splashing onto the deck. You start to panic about it and wonder, “Why are there holes at your kayak’s bottom?” 

Although the situation might feel intense, there’s nothing to worry about. In fact, these specific scupper holes are there for a good reason. 

Most sit-on-tops (SOTS) contain scupper holes in order to drain water that enters the tank or cockpit because of the waves lapping over the paddle drip, capsizing in rough waters, or heavy rain. 

In such scenarios, these holes drain excessive water, keeping your kayak stable and light. 

So, while they may seem alarming initially, these holds are important to ensure your kayaking experience remains enjoyable and safe.  

Eager to explore more about “Why do kayak have holes?” Keep reading! 

What Are Scupper Holes? 

While noticing scupper holes, it’s not surprising that you will think that your kayak is going to sink because of them. But that’s obviously not true! 

They’re built into the kayak to give it a nice structural integrity. Without these holes, you would lose balance whenever you stand up on the kayak or even put some weight there. 

That said, there’s stability between the bottom of the boat and the top deck because of the presence of holes that keep up the balance it needs all the way. 

Why Do You Need Scupper Holes? 

Scupper holes are super essential to keep your kayak functional. Suppose you’re kayaking on the river calmly and hit some long waves, and water comes in. 

Or even worse, what would you do if you got stuck on the rock and water splashed on your boat? 

Without these holds, it is evident that your kayak will fill up with water quickly, and you’ll find yourself in a never-ending battle when it comes to paddling. 

But fortunately, scupper holes take away all the worries and will drain out the water in no time. And this will surely prevent causing capsize and keep your boat stable. 

Why Do Ocean Kayaks Have Holes In Them? 

Kayaks, especially the ones that are used in the oceans, tend to have holes in them, and it is, of course, for some good purposes. Here’s why ocean kayaks contain holes: 

Water Drainage 

The holes in the seat are specially designed to drain out water, preventing you from sitting in water during your entire journey. It becomes even more crucial in ocean conditions where water can splash into your kayak. 

Weight Capacity 

Water can be collected in the seat or footwells if you accidentally exceed your kayak’s weight capacity. So, the holes keep your boat from sinking into the ocean due to this overweight scenario.  

Design for Wet Conditions 

Some kayaks, such as Drifter, were initially designed for surf conditions and ocean fishing. These were not intended to keep you dry at all, as it’s impossible to avoid getting wet there. Hence, the main goal of these holds is to fulfil that purpose and drain the water as quickly as possible. 

Scupper Plugs for Calm Waters 

You can use scupper plugs in water to keep water out conveniently. Anyhow, if water gets inside the kayak while the plugs are still in, it’ll stay there unless you remove them. 

All in all, the functionality of scupper holes in ocean kayaks cannot be ignored when managing water, drainage, and balancing stability on the go! 

Scupper Functions 

Manufacturers build scupper holes on kayaks for several reasons. If you’re curious to discover why these holes are present inside, look at the incredible functions they have to offer: 

• If you’re in a tough condition and your weight capacity is below a set limit, you can ride easily with the scuppers out. 

• Scuppers efficiently drain water from the inside area of the kayak — making them ideal for ample drainage.  

• When you leave your boat in the water, you should remove the scuppers to drain any standing rain water present inside. 

• If the water is calm & you wish to stay dry, it’s fine to keep those scuppers plugged in. It’ll help increase the overall weight capacity of the kayak. 

When To Plug Scupper Holes?

Do you want to maximize the limit of your kayak? If so, you should definitely plug all the scupper holes to make your journey adventurous. 

A scupper plug is basically meant to seal the holes to restrain water from coming upside holes. 

And let me tell you that when you plug them, it also prevents air from getting inside the holes. Not only this, but it keeps the water from coming up, and your boat will work fine without sinking. 

Overall, your kayak will rise up & offer you a little more speed to assist you in easy padding. Doesn’t it sound good? 

Where The Scupper Holes Are Located? 

Scuppers typically drain all the water off the deck, and they can be out the transom or the sides. Remember that they drain water overboard & not really into the bilge. 

You’ll possibly find these holes under the seat, in the footwells, and sometimes even at the back and front of the kayak.  

Plus, these are cut through the specific hull sides, just above the sole and near the transom.  

It is also important to note that they contain a one-way valve and enable your boat to be self-bailing. And yes, the hole should always be above the waterline to function correctly. 

Do Scupper Holes Need To Be Plugged? 

Well, scupper holes don’t always have to be plugged. Many people, in fact, only plug the scuppers that permit water to enter the kayak, especially while encountering rough waves. 

In these conditions, the bow of the kayak can significantly bow up and down — causing water to flow up through the holes. 

Simply put, some may plug the two front scuppers while leaving the others open to let all the excess water drain out smoothly. Cool, isn’t it? 

If your kayak is the ideal fit for you already, scupper plugs might not be mandatory until you get to face any rough conditions. Yes, you read that right! 

And if water comes up through those scuppers while paddling, it possibly indicates that your boat is too small or, else, doesn’t have enough capacity. 

In that case, plugging the scuppers can address the symptom. However, it won’t fix the root cause, which is the extra weight in your kayak, so consider these factors as well. 

Moreover, choosing the right kayak can also help you avoid these problems. So yes, scupper plugs are important, but other considerations shouldn’t be ignored. 

When To Unplug Scupper Holes?

Your boat can sink in the water when you pull the scupper plugs. It’s possible that you want to do that, particularly on windy days.  

So what actually happens is that the more boat you’ve out of the water on the upside, the more convenient it is for the wind to smoothly whip you around. 

Unplug your scupper plugs; this way, it sinks down only a bit — making it easier for you to hold still even in the wind. 

How To Plug And Unplug Scupper Holes? 

Wondering how to plug scupper holes? Well, it’s quite simple and requires only two basic steps: 

1. Insert the Scupper Plugs: In this step, you need to place the plugs into the specific scupper holes in order to seal them. 

2. Keep Dry on Calm Days: If you prefer to stay super dry even on calm days, just use these plugs to prevent water from entering your kayak. 

Now that you know how to plug them, it is normal to think about knowing the method to unplug them when in need. 

Follow these steps if you wish to unplug scupper holes: 

3. Remove the Scupper Plugs: Just pull out the plugs from their holes whenever you want to drain water. 

4. Water Drainage: When you get it removed, water will automatically flow out of your kayak, ultimately reducing the water levels. As it drains, the kayak will rise soon. 

Pros of Scupper Holes 

There are several prominent advantages of scupper holes for kayaks that we all must know. Read on to explore some of them: 

1. Efficient Drainage: Water enters the cockpit due to scupper holes draining out in no time, reducing the requirement for inverting the boat or manual bailing. 

2. Self-Rescue: Scupper holes help with self-saving by stopping the cockpit from packing with water in sit-on-top [SOT], making it more accessible to revisit the kayaks. 

3. Stability: They take part in balancing your kayak by enabling water to draw off, which can be useful for managing balance in bad conditions. 

4. Easy Entry and Exit: These holes in SOT kayaks typically make entry and exit easy, making them more effective for newcomers and those with mobility problems.  

5. Low Maintenance: Scupper holes reduce the need for bailing water out manually, which means that it is a super convenient feature for kayakers who prefer a low-maintenance ride. 

Cons of Scupper Holes 

While scupper holes come up with so many benefits, their negative aspects should be kept in mind, too. Here are a few downsides you should acknowledge: 

1. Water Entry: The water is inside the kayaks due to scupper holes, mainly when waves hit the kayak or in rough conditions, which might irritate a few paddlers.  

2. Gear and Wildlife Issues: Small wildlife or items like critters or shrimp can sometimes get napped in the scupper holes, which increases the complications or inconvenience during activities such as fishing. 

3. Reduced Dryness: Scupper holes enable water to come into the cockpit in warm conditions or with paddlers in the cold — leading to an uncomfortable journey even when plugs are used. 

4. Maintenance: While scupper holes are effective, they may need a plug or maintenance in order to keep the kayas’s cockpit dry in certain circumstances. 

5. Potential Plugging Issues: Plugging scupper holes to stop water from entering can also stop the leakage when necessary, requiring proper consideration of using plugs. 

Also Read: Best Places to kayak in North Georgia

Conclusion 

In a nutshell, scupper holes in the kayak are a good thing, but they are not something you should be worried about. Just because your boat has them doesn’t indicate it’ll sink at all—it’s pretty normal. 

No matter if you plug them or not, your kayak will work fine either way without any hassle. 

In winter, if your seat is quite low on the deck or you are not using any waterproof boots, it’s better to plug the holes so you don’t get wet. 

On the other hand, you may not have to plug them in certain situations when it’s not necessary. Ultimately, the choice is always yours about how dry you want to stay during kayaking! 

Hope you find this guide on kayak holes enlightening! 

Also Read: Kayak Hull Types – A Complete Guide

FAQs 

Q1. How to repair a small hole in a kayak? 

You can use the below methods to repair a small hole in your kayak effectively: 

• Moldable Thermoplastic: It comes in the bead form and can be easily softened when placed in boiling water. When it becomes pliable, just shape it according to the hole – so that it fits well. Also, you can add color dyes to it to match the color of your kayak. 

• Plastic Welding: In this technique, you can utilize HDPE plastic, such as from the milk jug, or simply purchase a plastic welder from any store. The good news is that a lot of kayak brands also offer matching plastic sticks, which makes it even easier to repair those tiny holes. 

• Gorilla Tape: Lastly, we have the Gorilla tape method that is perfect for a quick fix. Apply this tape inside your kayak. It’s undeniably durable enough to last through a whole season of use, though you may have to replace it if it begins wearing out. 

Q2. What is the reason behind the scuppers letting water into the kayak? 

The scuppers are built to let water out — not really in. You might have a little water come in from a specific scupper, depending on your weight, but if the cockpit’s leg area is filled with a few inches of unnecessary water, it means that you need a bigger yak. In addition, you can also examine if the water was coming in the hull, if you have a little crack, or if the plug was loose. 

Q3. Why does my lifetime kayak have holes in the bottom? 

All lifetime kayaks contain scupper holes in the bottom. These holes are self-draining openings that keep the kayak buoyant and allow water to drain from the deck. On top of that, they are placed strategically — two in the front, two in the back, and the remaining two under the seat. 

Q4. Why does my pelican kayak have holes in the bottom? 

Pelican kayaks are designed to remove water efficiently whenever you get in and out. Basically, your tennis shoes also let so much water inside, but this kayak is specially designed to drain it from underneath when you move. Generally, they make plugs for drains because you may want to plug them up later in the colder seasons or when you don’t like water coming through.