Making sure everything is dry

[sqbtr]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

That piece of canvass may not have been in the engine compartment before the flood. That cap is vented and the oil would have come out weather the cap was on or not.

There are those that have left the plug out and those that will.
I belong in the first group and it did cost me a starter about a month down the road.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Can anyone recommend a good bilge water alarm? The boat only has a manual bilge pump so I figured it would be a good idea to put one in. They range anywhere from $30-$100. Not sure what's good and what's not. Was looking at these:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=sporting&field-keywords=bilge+alarm&x=0&y=0

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Rule makes automatic bilge pumps now. get a big one. spend the money once and have peace of mind forever. never have to check or turn it on, it runs by itself. you would notice if it was pumping water out and could recognize a problem right away. I had a manual one like yours, but put in an automatic. I think i got a 800gph one.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

When you say a manual pump, do you mean you have to work the switch? Ir is it something you have to actually pump manually?

If it is electric already then just add a float switch and wire it so you leave the switch on the dash on all the time, then when the water is high enough the float switch lets the power thru. Or replace the entire pump with an automatic sensing pump, no need to rewire and mount the float switch.

The automatic sensing ones do take a little bit of power all the time, something to consider.

The best setup is an electric pump with 750 or higher GPH designed to be used with a float switch. The power is live to the float switch all the time right from the battery. Then there is also a wire that bypasses the float switch that can be connected to the manual switch so you can force it to run at any time.


Be sure the outlet hosing is up to par. Make sure it rises gradually to the fitting on the hull, never rises higher than the fitting.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

I meant to preface my post with "Rather than spend time, money and effort on an alarm apply it towards a bilge pump upgrade." I think putting in an alarm is good too, but in my opinion you really need to come at this from the automatic pump angle.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

I meant to preface my post with "Rather than spend time, money and effort on an alarm apply it towards a bilge pump upgrade." I think putting in an alarm is good too, but in my opinion you really need to come at this from the automatic pump angle.

yep exactly. Eliminate the float switch, eliminate 1 more potential item to malfunction/get stuck up or down. my automatic one turns on every minute for about 1/2 second to see if theres water in there. very, very minimal draw on the battery.
But i know now theres a few different automatic styles.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Sounds like good advice to me. Was looking at an 800 GPH Rule. How does this look?

http://www.amazon.com/Rule-20RS-Aut...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1312206277&sr=1-5

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

If you want an alarm also it is really simple.... pick up a 12 volt buzzer, horn, or siren and a (second) float switch.... mount the float switch a couple inches above the bottom of the bilge.... In the event that the pump can't or doesn't keep the water out the water will rise enough to set off your alarm giving you a heads up before the water reaches your feet

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Just wondering about the absolute NEED to replace the starter after a soaking.... I would be tempted to run it.. Or maybe take it off , use compressed air and maybe some electrical contact cleaner to freshen it up.. I know a marine starter is designed to be spark proof as opposed to an automobile starter, and maybe that makes succumb to water intrusion easier, but heck, I put my pick-up truck thru severe water intrusion,...IE....Ice fishin'- driving across a lake at 20mph with a foot of standing water on the ice , crossing streams deer hunting, pulling snowmobiles thru 2 - 3 ft of slush, power washing the engine... Ya know what I am saying??? I soak dat sucker over and over, and it keeps on going..........so......just wondering............

Get yourself a wet dry vac and go to town in addition to the fans...etc

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Sounds like good advice to me. Was looking at an 800 GPH Rule. How does this look?

http://www.amazon.com/Rule-20RS-Aut...=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1312206277&sr=1-5

Thats the same one i got. I called iboats and they were on sale but it wasnt advertised so you might wannna check there first. I paid around $50 for mine a while back. I kept my old pump and wired alligator clips to it for an emergency pump. I can hook it up directly to the battery and throw it in the bilge in a hurry if i do have any other problems.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Ended up getting this one. Will leave the other one in there to help with emergencies of course. Two pumps seems to make better sense than one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Q8KQFY

 

[Boobie Trap]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

As the saying goes: "There are those that have, and those that will."

Welcome to the boating world!! Bet you won't do it again!!!

 

[LeeCeeB]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

We pick up our new boat from the dealer on Friday. this is our first boat. You can BET I will be triple checking the drain plug and every inch of her before leaving. Thank you for posting your experience and giving another newbie a chance not to make the same mistakes. All the best.

 

[Pete1burn]

Re: Making sure everything is dry

Hey, if my experience helps you out, glad to be of service. Good luck on the water.