bilge pump question

[matt194]

I bought a used boat and the guy I bought it from put the hole where the bilge pump pumps out the water too low so it sits under the water. Will this cause water to come into the boat? If so is there any kind of valve that will let water out but not in?

 

[JCF350]

Re: bilge pump question

You sure it is not some kind of "live well" setup?

Best thing to do would be to cap the existing hole then put a hole and fitting in a better location.

 

[matt194]

Re: bilge pump question

No it is definitely the bilge pump. The setup is a pump that sits in the back and bottom of the hull with a hose attached to it that leads to the place where the water pumps out. There is no compartment to store water and hold fish.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: bilge pump question

A simple one way valve put inline will solve the problem. I like the swinging gate style as they have less restriction. There are four in my steamboat as the Coast Guard does not allow you to put hot water overboard above the waterline. (Something about getting your neighbors steamed up!)

Place the valve where it is easy to get to and clear any trapped debris from. I have never had this happen, but I'm ready if it does. A Crescent wrench will be needed onboard at all times though.

 

[5150abf]

Re: bilge pump question

Another note ,use a good quality rubber hose not that cheap accordion looking hose, it will separate eventually and you will have a leak where the good rubber one won't.
Worth the extra couple bucks.

 

[JCF350]

Re: bilge pump question

No it is definitely the bilge pump. The setup is a pump that sits in the back and bottom of the hull with a hose attached to it that leads to the place where the water pumps out. There is no compartment to store water and hold fish.

Plug and move the pump outlet. Check valves have a tendency to turn into automatic boat sinking devices.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: bilge pump question

I can't imagine someone doing something so stupid as to put the bilge outlet below waterline, how far below is it? maybe your boat is setting lower in the water than it used to due to weight load of gear passengers ect. (waterlogged) ?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: bilge pump question

Another thing you could do is put about a 6 inch loop in the hose above the thru hull, this way the pump can still push the water out through the loop but any water coming won't have enough pressure behind it to go up the loop.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: bilge pump question

Now thats an excellent idea!

 

[Nandy]

Re: bilge pump question

BoatingBob Idea sounds great. I never done such a thing but it sounds doable. However, rather than that or valves, I would only have piece of mind if I fix that hole and make a newer hole as far as possible from the water line. Of course, if it were me....

 

[Dakota47]

Re: bilge pump question

Fix hole and make new one higher. best way to do it..

 

[JCF350]

Re: bilge pump question

Another thing you could do is put about a 6 inch loop in the hose above the thru hull, this way the pump can still push the water out through the loop but any water coming won't have enough pressure behind it to go up the loop.

Till you slow down and your stern has settled and the wake catches up.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: bilge pump question

Till you slow down and your stern has settled and the wake catches up.

True enough but I was thinking that the discharge was on the side rather than thru the tansom. Anyway for the record I agree with everyone that thinks the thru hull should be moved up higher of course but the loop was just meant as a temp suggestion so that he could at least use the boat for a while until he decides what the permanent fix will be.

 

[JCF350]

Re: bilge pump question

Proper seamanship= temp fixes are for getting back in. Not going out.

No if's ands or buts about it.

 

[Coors]

Re: bilge pump question

Another thing you could do is put about a 6 inch loop in the hose above the thru hull, this way the pump can still push the water out through the loop but any water coming won't have enough pressure behind it to go up the loop.

Agreed. I was going to hook up the redundant bilge pump, in the same line, using a check valve.
Upon further reading, a check valve really works a bilge pump too hard.

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: bilge pump question

Another thing you could do is put about a 6 inch loop in the hose above the thru hull, this way the pump can still push the water out through the loop but any water coming won't have enough pressure behind it to go up the loop.

Thats what I would do too until I could move it up. Make a P trap or more like an O trap or drip loop.

Of course I'm not a seaman, I'm just a boater, I defiantly don't make any money at this, it's just a hobby. So If I get stranded out in the middle of the lake for a few hours.... Darn the luck.... better than being on land though..... LOL

 

[matt194]

Re: bilge pump question

I am just going to move the hole above the water line. No the boat doesn't sit too low. Yes the guy I bought the boat from wasn't a big boater so he didn't know what he was doing. This is my first boat so I didn't know what to look for when buying a boat. Its a simple fix though.

 

[steelespike]

Re: bilge pump question

Just for future reference the loop won't work.If the end in the boat is lower than the hole it can siphon in.Imagine draining a 55 gal drum even if water only a few inches deep if you can get the drain end below that level it will siphon.On the old inboards with suction bailers they could siphon water into the boat under just the right conditions so they put a small hole in the top of the loop.Some had a little float valve to close the drain off.
If you were foolish enough to load something heavy into the boat it would force water into the boat.I once bought an old Garwood sedan that had sunk when they put an old generator lighting plant into the boat and left it overnight.