[Blue_Runner]

Eric, until I got my V-21 I had a 17fter with a low transom. *Never had a drop come over and went out in some pretty good chop (not intentionally 8)). *Now, my V-21 has a 25" transom but has a splashwell with a piece of starboard guarding the cockpit.

I have to say I disagree with you on the air bubble concept.

Put several hundred gallons on the deck at 8.33 lbs per gallon and it don't matter if you've got self bailing holes the size of bowling balls. *That air pocket you are talking about will end up on top and the boat will roll. *Its the weeble effect. *The heaviest part ends up on the bottom. *Almost every capsized boat you see due to rough water is upside down still floating. *That's because she rolled over due to the weight on the deck and heavy power head above the center line. *The lighter part (gigantic air bubble) wants to be on top.

Bottom line is the full transom boats are safer. *They will keep more water out.

Does a full transom guarantee anything? *Absolutely not - go check out the COMBAT striper fishing post I made today in the fishing section. *Which brings me to my next point - if you get out in that $hit it ain't gonna matter if you have a full transom, double transom, self-bailer, 100,000gph bilge pump - if you are in a small boat and get hit by a roller like that you are history!

Low transoms are ok, you just have to be slightly more careful than if a you have a full transom IMO.