Access to bilge pump

[fishingdan]

I am a little stumped. I need to gain access to the bilge pump in this 1978 Penn Yan Explorer. The only access is via the long, but short access door at the bottom of the splash well (see picture below). The pump is approximately 12" (?) below the level of the sole. I know this is similar to other boats. How does one get to the pump?

In front of the motorwell, is an access panel to for the fuel tanks. I imagine I could remove one of the fuel tanks and get access, but that sounds a little rediculous.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Access to bilge pump

Mabey you can install one or two round unscrewable flush mounted access deck plates on eirther side of the fuel tank compartment. They come in different diamiters and you would be able to reach in arms lenth to get hold, and work on, the pump

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Access to bilge pump

Mabey you can install one or two round unscrewable flush mounted access deck plates on eirther side of the fuel tank compartment. They come in different diamiters and you would be able to reach in arms lenth to get hold, and work on, the pump

 

[sdunt]

Re: Access to bilge pump

OK, my non boater response:

Move the pump. Get a self priming pump and put a suction hose down into the current bilge and mount the pump up where you can get to it.

and, yes I know, where does one get such a pump?

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006070609593091&item=2-1261&catname=water

$50 and self priming up to 9 feet.

 

[samsam]

Re: Access to bilge pump

I am a little stumped. I need to gain access to the bilge pump in this 1978 Penn Yan Explorer. The only access is via the long, but short access door at the bottom of the splash well (see picture below). The pump is approximately 12" (?) below the level of the sole. I know this is similar to other boats. How does one get to the pump?

In front of the motorwell, is an access panel to for the fuel tanks. I imagine I could remove one of the fuel tanks and get access, but that sounds a little rediculous.

If you have access through that wide ,short panel by the boy's knees, and the pump is only 12 " below the deck, you have it easier than a lot of boats! You can use a mirror and flashlight to see what you have to deal with, the pump probably snaps in place and should have enough wire and hose so you can pull it out to work on it. A lot of times you just have to work by feel. I doubt you could gain access to it coming from where the tank is or beside it, but an access hatch directly above it in the bottom of the motor well should work. Sam

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Access to bilge pump

Samsam, you are the man! That is the kind of practical answer I was looking for. I didn't think of using a mirror. Thanks.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Access to bilge pump

Reaching my arm into the area under the splashwell (Access door below my son's knees), I could barely touch the top of the bilge pump. The bilge is deeper than I thought.

Now what?? One thought I had was to install an access hatch in the splashwell (at least 6" from any corner of the splashwell). What do you think?

 

[samsam]

Re: Access to bilge pump

It is amazing how inconvienent they manage to make some things. Maybe you CAN access it from the tank hatch. Reach in the wide, short door and feel around if there is a "bulkhead' there (or use the mirror) or if you can reach forward under the deck. Or you can just take it off and look, it doesn't hurt to inspect your tank once in a while. It's a semi-permanent hatch so you'll have to re-caulk it when you're done. You don't want to remove the tank though. I suggested a hatch in the splashwell (sounds better than motorwell) but if you can barely reach the pump from the other door, it's possible you can't reach it from the splashwell without putting a real big hatch in there that you can sort of get your shoulder in, too. Measure the distance and then measure how far you can reach through a hole cut in cardboard the same size as a hatch you might install. You might try a Herculean effort again at the original wide short door, a lot of this kind of boat work entails extreme positions and actual pain while pushing the envelope of reach and patience. My arm almost feels all scraped up and the circulation cut off just thinking about it. Another option would be to have someone else do whatever you're trying to do, sometimes it's worth it just to throw money at the problem and not be bothered. Putting in a hatch will cost and take some time. Since your boat is almost 30 years old, someone must have gotten in there and replaced the pump a time or two. Sam

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Access to bilge pump

sam,

I couldn't agree with you more. Why do they install components that cannot be reached for servicing? I saves money when building it, but when that part fails, people want to strangle the engineers.

Interestingly, I had the fuel cell hatch open this weekend and replaced the fuel lines. I don't think there is a bulkhead there, but I would have to remove the port tank to access that area. Then I have another issue. The bilge will be too far back to reach without working on your head.

Like you said, someone must have been able to change that thing in the past. I'll do some more looking around with the mirror.

With regard to the splashwell hatch, you may be right. It may be too far down.

Thanks.