Washdown Pump water intake idea

[JoeFromAkron]

I have an 16ft 1971 Lonestar Holiday. I am wanting to add a small washdown pump. I don't really want to add another hole in the hull if I can avoid it. I was considering using the drain plug hole as a water intake. The drain hole is on the bottom of the boat and the plug is threaded. I was planning on threading whatever fitting would work with a seacock between the pump and the intake to turn off the water when not in use. Is this a stupid idea?

 

[tpenfield]

Are we talking lake water or sea water . . . :noidea:

Either may not be the best thing to use as a washdown source.

 

[cptbill]

If you have another intake through that isn't used full time and a "Y" to it so you can use it when you need it

 

[GA_Boater]

How will you drain water out after pulling the boat out of the water?

Some states require the drain plug be removed during transport. You will be plugging the drain.

 

[JoeFromAkron]

I am talking fresh water. I don't have any other intakes. I was imagining using the same quick disconnects you would use on a garden hose, behind the seacock, to disconnect the contraption and remove it from the drain plug. This is probably all a bad idea though. Is there any reason I couldn't just try to run a clear tube off the transom when I wanted to use it, providing the pump can pull water far enough? Or just zip tie the tube to my transducer cable.

 

[dingbat]

Stupid idea.

Sea cocks don't have male threads. How do you thru bolt the sea **** in place.

Throwing a tube over the side is is a lot more practical

 

[oldboat1]

Check Harbor Freight for DC transfer pumps. About $30. Use the intake to pump it in from the lake, and out from the boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

get a fresh water tank, pump fresh water from the tank. no problem with spraying lake water, salt water, etc.

 

[JoeFromAkron]

I was envisioning this whole contraption involving having a small pipe specially threaded for the drain on one end and the seacock on the other but its just way too much crap. This is a smallish boat. Lots of space for a 16ft but not for a fresh water tank. There is no space under the floor or anything like that. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm only going to be using this in fresh water to clean off fish blood before it dries to cement on the floor and occasionally cleaning sand off the kid before he drags it in from swimming.

 

[JoeFromAkron]

Check Harbor Freight for DC transfer pumps. About $30. Use the intake to pump it in from the lake, and out from the boat.

That pump looks about perfect. Put a power switch on it and your done. Excellent reviews also. Thanks a bunch

 

[oldboat1]

Not sure what the pressure is, but probably listed in specs -- might come with a switch in the cord. Can't immerse it, although the one I have in my boat survived a couple of episodes.

I use one for a blige pump mounted in the bow of my cruiser -- hollow keel, so a hose gets out the bilge water.

Hope it works for you.