While fishing during a cyclone this past November down in Australia, I noticed another cool tip on Allure that anyone with scuppers cut into their transom would appreciate. During one nasty day, I discovered that backing down in 10-foot seas fills a cockpit rather rapidly.
 
Since so much water comes in over the transom, it doesn't make much sense to let more in through the scuppers when backing down. To keep water out, some crews have the boatbuilder make a couple of scupper plugs that they can use to block the holes. Since these plugs keep water from coming in and let water out when you want them to, it's imperative that the plugs don't walk away from their home.

To keep their plugs handy and out of the way, the boys on Allure keep theirs securely attached to a length of rope run through a cam cleat mounted under the gunwale. This let the crew rest easy knowing that they won't have to run around searching for the plugs in the heat of battle.

Dave Ferrell
Orlando, Florida