bilge pump

[poohjmb]

we just bought this 1967 crestliner boat with an 85 hp merc outboard. we cannot find a bilge access. is it common to have a bilge pump for an 19 ft boat? if so, are they easy to install? or approx how much would it cost to get one professionally installed? we havent taken it out to even test the motor, a little concerned if we should get the bilge pump first or if it is needed. thanks in advance.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: bilge pump

you don't need a bilge pump to take the boat out. it's not going to save you if you are going down fast. i'd take it out and enjoy it when you want. but i wouldn't leave it unattended in the water without a pump.<br /><br />as for install, it's pretty easy. you need to get power to it, and you simply mount it in the bilge at the lowest place possible. your discharge line then runs to usually right under the gunwale, high enough to keep outside water from coming in, but not too high to allow the pump to struggle.

 

[KRS]

Re: bilge pump

If you can see the entire inside of the hull (metal boat without raised deck), take a method of bailing (bucket) and go.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: bilge pump

If you do go without a bilge pump, be extra sure not to forget the plug.

 

[jurgenscraft]

Re: bilge pump

I believe bilge pumps are very important in any boat that has a sealed deck, it is quite easy to fit a pump yourself.What I did was, cut a circular hole in the deck to suit a commercially available screw lid hatch, making sure you miss any timber under the deck, ( basic comon sense).<br />A small piece of penetrating epoxy treated marine ply was glued to the hull and the bilge pump was then screwed to the marine ply.The outlet pipe was run to a through hull outlet with reverse flow protection. wiring was pretty straight forward , float switch in the bilges and a fused on/off switch (overide)in the control console, some form of bilge ventalition would also be a good idea. Kind Regards William Wright.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: bilge pump

I have to totally disagree with the previous responses.I would recommend never leaving the dock without a bilge pump AND either a back up bilge pump or a hand held bilge pump.An automatic pump is a good idea if you are leaving the boat in the water.Cost on a pump can vary from $20-65 for a boat that size.Easy enough to do yopurself.Charlie

 

[rwidman]

Re: bilge pump

.....The outlet pipe was run to a through hull outlet with reverse flow protection. ....... [/QB]

If by "reverse flow protection" you mean a check valve, these can easily be blocked either open or closed by debris from the bilge. A bilge pump should pump directly overboard with minimum length and curvature of the discharge hose. Putting the through hull discharge fitting several inches above the waterline should prevent water from entering the bilge through the fitting and hose.

 

[poohjmb]

Re: bilge pump

hey all.. the good news is i got a hand pump for our test of the engine run this morning.... but, we soon discovered the bilge was the least or our worries....for one, dont trust anyone. the little sweet old man we bought the boat from LIED LIED LIED.. the whole prop shaft etc etc. was stripped. the propeller barely turned and reverse didnt work. thanks for all the advise.. but, guess we have a very nice 1700 dollar boat with no engine.

 

[rwidman]

Re: bilge pump

Is it possible that only the hub in the prop is "spun"? Many props are constructed with a rubber insert to absorb shock and they can come loose if the prop hits a rock or bottom. With the engine off, put it in gear and see if you can turn the prop by hand. See if the prop is turning and the engine shaft is not.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: bilge pump

Ron is correct,it may just be the hub on the prop.Also check the gear oil.If it is low it may prevent it from shifting into reverse.Do a little research before you give up.Charlie

 

[poohjmb]

Re: bilge pump

when in gear and engine off, the prop will turn...(in one direction) is that what you mean? What happened is he full trottled it and it just did almost nothing other than spin a little.. so if the prop spins in gear with motor off, what does that mean? thanks all for the great advise so far, we got this for our boys to take fishin in the wonderful oregon rivers.. you can hear it grinding against the gears but it is spinning..

 

[FastForward]

Re: bilge pump

Most props are of three piece construction. 1) The actual bladed prop, 2)a polyurethane (?) bushing, and 3) a hub that slips over the prop shaft. They're constructed that way as protection in case you stike something with your prop. That way the hub just breaks loose from the bushing instead of having all that force transfer over to the internals of you lower end and break something. It's possible that the hub has just broken loose and the prop is just spinning on that bushing. Any prop shop should be able to press a new hub on for under $50.<br /><br />To test this pull you prop off and make a mark on the backside of the prop with a sharpie from the outside of it to the inside where it slides over the shaft. Then take it out and run it wide open for a bit. Bring it back in and pull the prop off. If the mark is still together you've got lower end problems. If the mark is broken you've got a spun prop which is what I'd guess it is.<br /><br />I hope I've explained all this good enough. I'm relatively new to this myself. Hope that's all it is. Enjoy your boat

 

[Solittle]

Re: bilge pump

Get someone to check out your shift linkage. I don't like that - - "you can hear it grinding against the gears but it is spinning".<br /><br />There is a seperate section here on iboats for Merc engine problems. Yours may be a simple fix. If you post there make sure that you include the year of your engine and the model number. The advice above is solid on the prop.