Bilge pump

[noah4009]

I have a 1977 Starcraft, 15ft. Open bow, The deck is solid, no openings. Can I install a bilge pump? Is it even practical? I guess I would have to make a hole in deck, correct? Or am I just wasting my time and its a stupid idea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bilge pump

I have 2 bilge pumps on my boat, a 500gph and an 1100 gph.

The hardest part is getting under the deck to install it, it needs to go in the very back of the boat in front of the transom and you will need a hole through the transom for the drain hose and thru hull fitting.

You can get an automatic one with a float switch and wire it to a dash switch so you can work it manually or the float will turn it on as needed.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Bilge pump

What our "Irish" friend said, but make sure you can actually access below the deck. If you cut a hole in the cockpit sole and see the hull bottom 3" from the cutout, you're left with a hole in the sole and nothing else...

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Bilge pump

Does it have portable fuel tanks or a built in fuel tank? If built in there has to be some way to access down in there I would think. Also if built in you will need to know where it is before you do anything. Some one may have replaced the deck and gone over everything(bad idea) Is this an outboard boat(Im guessing). Maybe you could shine a light up through the drain plug in the back and see whats in there. Installing a bilge pump is NEVER a "stupid idea" Do some investigating there is probably some where you could install even an access hatch so you could install a pump. You could be taking on water and not even know it with your current setup, which is kind of scarey.