Storage area/bilge pump question

[Speedwagon]

So, my recently aquired boat has a storage compartment under the main floor, with a lift off wood top. It gets water in it from time to time, but there is no way for the bilge pump to get the water out. It is a seperate area from the engine bilge pump.<br /><br />Does one just have to bucket the water out all the time? It got quite a few gallons of water in there from the downpours the other night, despite a mooring cover(wasn't tight enough, and collected the water).<br /><br />Is there a way to rig it up so the bilge pump can take care of this?

 

[nitedmn]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

The boat I'm looking at buying as a similar setup. In the bottom of the storage area there is a small hole that will allow the water to drain to the back of the boat where the bilge pump can get rid of it.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

Generally you can drill an appropriate hole to guide the water back into the bilge where the pump will get it. Does the storage compartment have a flat bottom? If yes, and it's a v-hull, that means there's space below it and you can likely just drill a hole straight down to let the water drain deeper. But don't drill unless you know what you're drilling into (gas tank....or out the bottom of the boat for instance?! Both would be bad.)<br /><br />Might help to be more specific if we knew what kind of boat you're working on.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

Probably wouldn't be hard to put a $20 bilge pump in there where ever the water likes to collect...

 

[MFG197]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

Most boats have limber holes that allow water to drain back to the main bilge. apparantly yours does not or it is clogged, be careful that you know what is behind the brace you plan on drilling thru, may be your gas tank or you may not want the water to collect in the next compt back, if you do decide to drill make sure to seal the hole up well as there will probably be exposed ply wood and you will invite rot BTW if the floor of compt is flat there may be foam below and you don't want water going there.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

Originally posted by WWYC na7:<br /> Most boats have limber holes that allow water to drain back to the main bilge. apparantly yours does not or it is clogged, be careful that you know what is behind the brace you plan on drilling thru, may be your gas tank or you may not want the water to collect in the next compt back, if you do decide to drill make sure to seal the hole up well as there will probably be exposed ply wood and you will invite rot BTW if the floor of compt is flat there may be foam below and you don't want water going there.

Good advice. <br />Look for a limber hole and if you find one and the water isn't draining through it, try to clear the clog with a piece of coat hanger wire or such.<br /><br />

Probably wouldn't be hard to put a $20 bilge pump in there where ever the water likes to collect...

An automatic bilge pump typically activates when the water level reaches about two and one half inches and deactivates when the water level is down to three fourths of an inch. Even with a manual switch, it will only bring the water down to three fourths of an inch. I doubt a bilge pump would be a satisfactory solution for this situation.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Storage area/bilge pump question

Originally posted by rwidman:<br /> An automatic bilge pump typically activates when the water level reaches about two and one half inches and deactivates when the water level is down to three fourths of an inch. Even with a manual switch, it will only bring the water down to three fourths of an inch. I doubt a bilge pump would be a satisfactory solution for this situation.

I have a Rule 360 GPH pump that I use for odd jobs around the house. I've never measured how low it will suck the water, but it's definately much less than 3/4". More like 1/8". Maybe not the best solution, but a good one if he doesn't want to drill any holes in his boat. (or can't for whatever reason)