Bilge Pump Location Question

[Jon_Glastron]

I have a 1985 Glastron Conroy which I just purchased at the end of this past season.

I am going through the boat getting it ready for the up coming season and have a question about the bildge pump.

This is a picture of the pump, is this the correct location? It appears to be a 500gph pump, is this large enough?

Thanks
Jon

 

[DJ]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

The bilge pump should be in the lowest and most aft possible part of the bilge. I can't tell that form the pic's.

500 GPH is a bare minimum. It will NOT save your boat should you "hole it". A 1000 or better is much preffered.

Also, get rid of that corrugated hose. That hose severely inhibits pump performance. A smooth wall (inside) hose will allow water to pass through much easier.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

And I will put a clamp on the new hose. If the house come off you are pumping the water nowhere. A back up pump would not hurt either.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

who was the genius that cut the hole in the floor exposing the wood core???

 

[oops!]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

uh.....capjason has a real good point there jon.

better add that to your list of things to do......glass up that exposed wood,

or.......come join us in the rebuliding section!!!!

cheers
oops

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

An auto switch would not hurt either.
Get a 1000 GPH or more like DJ said.
Maybe 2, 1 as a manual one and 1 as a automatic one.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Looks like the black hose (to the left in 1st pic) needs to be replaced also.

 

[Jon_Glastron]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

who was the genius that cut the hole in the floor exposing the wood core???

It was like that when I bought it. How would I go about fixing it now?

Should I get a new pump (1000gph), hook the new and old up then seal them in the hole and just have the hoses come through the floor?

 

[Jon_Glastron]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

uh.....capjason has a real good point there jon.

better add that to your list of things to do......glass up that exposed wood,

or.......come join us in the rebuliding section!!!!

cheers
oops

oh boy... should I glass up just the exposed floor or the floor and the stringer?

 

[Jon_Glastron]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Looks like the black hose (to the left in 1st pic) needs to be replaced also.

what am I missing on the black hose? Does it look dry rotted?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Looks like a 5/8 hose on a 3/4 barb, or 3/4 on a 1/2, 1/2 on a 3/8 is that the fuel hose?

 

[Jon_Glastron]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Looks like a 5/8 hose on a 3/4 barb, or 3/4 on a 1/2, is that the fuel hose?

It is the vent hose as far as i can tell. I'll go take a look and let you know.

Thanks for your help

Jon

edit.. It is a vent hose from the tank to the top of the boat in the back. It does look like it not the correct size, although it looks new. Should I change it?

 

[JCF350]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

It is the vent hose as far as i can tell. I'll go take a look and let you know.

Thanks for your help

Jon

edit.. It is a vent hose from the tank to the top of the boat in the back. It does look like it not the correct size, although it looks new. Should I change it?

Looks to me like the hose is to big for the fitting (might could be an optical contusion). If the hose is squeezed down to the fitting size the clamp will eventually cut through the hose. Yes it does need to be dealt with.

Has far as the floor issue goes, you need to seal the exposed wood and leave the pump accessible. Plus not only does the corrugated hose restrict flow they also don't last very long (compared to others). I use a clear single braided hose that you can find at a boat parts place.

 

[DJ]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

You can leave the hole there, just glass/seal the exposed wood edges.

You can buy a float switch for your existing 500 GPH and hook it up to a three function switch or directly to the battery. I would then add a 1000 GPH, or better, on a manual switch.

If your boat is moored I would do the opposite.

As mentioned, get rid of that corrugated hose.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Jon, In the picture that black hose looks cracked. Maybe is just the picture. I would replace it if it is cracked. Those type hoses are not too expensive.
If you could take a few more pictures of your boat. A few shoots of the hull, either side and transom, then some inside showing the bilge. I cant tell very well but it looks like the pump is not where it should be. But I might have the wrong hull in mind. As a general rule in small boats you should have access to the bilge and your bilge pump. In some hulls the secondary pump is installed a bit higher and outside of reach unless you make a hole in the deck. I get the impression that is how that pump has been located. I would not want my "only" pump to be out of reach for regular maintenance and inspection. For what is worth, I want access to that second pump as well. A pump jammed by debris is useless.

 

[Jon_Glastron]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Nandy, I finally got around to taking a few of more pictures. Let me know if you need another angle.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

jon, looking at those pictures it seems the bilge pump is above the floor level by about 6-8" water can't drain uphill, the fuel tank being right where it is makes it pretty hard to locate the bilge where it should be. Unless that bilge you have there has a foot on it that reaches way down to the bottom of the hull it seems pretty worthless in that location.

 

[hdradaza]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

I would go with 2 bilge pumps... After having several problems (including a bilge pump failure!) with pumps I have gone to two and no prob now.

I have one - 1,200 gallons per hour with an automatic float switch and a back up located about 5" higher ( because it wont fit ) with a manual switch.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

jon, looking at those pictures it seems the bilge pump is above the floor level by about 6-8" water can't drain uphill, the fuel tank being right where it is makes it pretty hard to locate the bilge where it should be. Unless that bilge you have there has a foot on it that reaches way down to the bottom of the hull it seems pretty worthless in that location.

Jon, i have to agree with eliminator. If you look inside your hull (if that gas tank allows you) and see the transom drain hole, you want your pump at that level. Your actual pump is located where a secondary pump should go. You will have a lot of water in the boat before that pump is of any use and you will still have a lot of water in the boat once it stops pumping water out.
Change that white hose for a one without the grooves or whatever you call them. If you end up using 2 pumps do not use the same outlet for the water output and make sure the pumps are wired separately, separate cables, fuses, switch and in an ideal world, separate battery. A second pump is very useful and a life saver when the primarily pump fails. Pumps do fail, believe me, usually when you really need it.

I would also run those cables and hose differently but that is just me.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bilge Pump Location Question

Jon, i have to agree with eliminator. If you look inside your hull (if that gas tank allows you) and see the transom drain hole, you want your pump at that level. Your actual pump is located where a secondary pump should go. You will have a lot of water in the boat before that pump is of any use and you will still have a lot of water in the boat once it stops pumping water out.

Ayuh,...... I Agree.......
By the time any water gets up to the point where that pump can pump it,......
The boat will be on it's way Down.........