Installing a bilge pump

[tek]

Personally, I would not rely on a hose into the sink. The sink drain is so small a large bug can cause a clog.

Very good point.

Anyone have thoughts for or against sharing the discharge thru-hull with two bilge pumps (primary and secondary)? I'm trying to decide best plans for drilling as few holes in the hull as possible to begin with.

[BOAT]

Or if your in Texas a small bug.

[Russ]

Having the thru-hull clogged and back up into the sink is a scenario I hadn't thought of, which is exactly why I had posed the question.

As for using the sink drain for discharge when not clogged, I would've thought it would be little different than pouring the water into the sink, and I've never seen water back up at the galley sink. Also keeping in mind I'm considering this primarily for the purpose of dewatering the low spot in the boat.

You are probably right. Worst case, you'd see water backing up in the sink. The sink would fill a bit but hopefully never overflow before you noticed it.

Which begs the question, with the factory design (no loop/vent) what keeps us from the possibility of taking on water through the galley sink to begin with?

As mentioned above. The sink is well above the waterline and when heeled it is raised up. The motor well drain is also slightly above water line and overflows overboard as a safety.

I think with a proper loop and vent you could do this with a manual switch. You would see a backup if it occurred before the sink overflowed.

In my experience with bilge pumps, the hose to the loop fills will water while pumping. The pump runs dry. Turn the switch off and water runs back down the looped hose. Not worth it for me. If you get LOTS of water in there, it may be for you.

When tying into the existing line, use good clamps and fittings.

--Russ

[tek]

Having the thru-hull clogged and back up into the sink is a scenario I hadn't thought of, which is exactly why I had posed the question.

As for using the sink drain for discharge when not clogged, I would've thought it would be little different than pouring the water into the sink, and I've never seen water back up at the galley sink. Also keeping in mind I'm considering this primarily for the purpose of dewatering the low spot in the boat.

You are probably right. Worst case, you'd see water backing up in the sink. The sink would fill a bit but hopefully never overflow before you noticed it.

Which begs the question, with the factory design (no loop/vent) what keeps us from the possibility of taking on water through the galley sink to begin with?

As mentioned above. The sink is well above the waterline and when heeled it is raised up. The motor well drain is also slightly above water line and overflows overboard as a safety.

I think with a proper loop and vent you could do this with a manual switch. You would see a backup if it occurred before the sink overflowed.

In my experience with bilge pumps, the hose to the loop fills will water while pumping. The pump runs dry. Turn the switch off and water runs back down the looped hose. Not worth it for me. If you get LOTS of water in there, it may be for you.

When tying into the existing line, use good clamps and fittings.

--Russ

My thoughts on it would be more for the purpose of de-watering the bilge, there'd need to be some other sort of larger capacity system to handle a "flooding bilge" situation if that was its purpose.

I have been able to keep my boat bone dry while in storage by placing a desiccant in the sink and poking a hole in the bottom of it. (One of those little moisture catching buckets for closets), but it isn't a convenient method while underway.

[Waterrunner]

Old saying "Nothing beats a scared man and a bucket." Bleach jugs with the bottom cut out work fine.

[sailboatmike]

In Australia its law that all boats with a covered bilge have a bilge pump fitted, either manual or electric and have a bucket with a halyard attached, I have just bought my and Im surprised the previous owner didnt fit a bilge pump.

To me its just a normal safety device just like a life jacket, peace of mind also, I watched a boat sink the other day and it was frightening just how fast it went down, until the pump was turned on and stabilized the situation somewhat to give them time to get into shallower water and run it aground.

I do like the idea of having two, with one mounted slightly above the other, I will be putting check valves in the system to stop any back flow.

My already has two through hulls for the galley and toilet sinks so one more wont hurt

[dlandersson]

Anyone ever used something like this?

[rsvpasap]

I had one of the battery operated transfer pumps like the one you have in the photo. I used it to drain water from the dinghy, but found it ineffective and It permanently perished during the third use (yes, I changed the batteries). I bought a 110 volt sump pump instead. It runs off the inverter and works tremendously well. If you are using this to remove rainwater or cleaning up around your boats, I recommend a small wet-vac instead. I've been happy for many years with one in the attached photo. I don't use the paper filter except when the vacuum up fiberglass dust. (I also have two 12v bilge pumps.)

[OverEasy]

Hi Rsvpasap!

Saw yer problem, thar be a stowaway in yer dinghy thingy!

In general relation to this thread, old as it is…, this is my opinion/perspective:

I know this is an old thread but on a Mac26X there are three primary bilges.
#1> Port outside of the ballast transfer tube. Accessed from the battery compartment or from within the the galley. Nominal neutral low spot is roughly under the aft wall of the galley.
#2> Starboard outside of the ballast transfer tube. Accessed from the the aft dinette bench. Nominal neutral low spot is roughly under the the fwd wall of the head closet.
#3> Mid section between the transfer tubes. Accessed from the aft dinette bench. Nominal neutral low spot is along the aft/side wall of the interior of the aft dinette bench.

On Over Easy we have placed automatic/manual activation 12 VDC electrical bilge pumps in each of these three areas.

There are also two smaller sub-bilge areas in the rear stern berth in the back corner starboard and port areas past the aft berth access opening. We will eventually place a additional bilge pump in each of these two sub areas.

We also have an A/C unit with a dehumidifier function that drains the condensates into a separate mini bilge container with a small mini automatic bilge pump.

So at the present time we have a total of four operational bilge pumps with two more on the TBD list for the off season.

From a basic logic premise bilge pumps are utilized to mitigate a hull fracture/puncture so that one can work towards navigating/moving your vessel to a safer location while the bilge pump(s) do a much more efficient job of pumping out the incoming water that one could ever do manually. Similarly when one is manually attempting to pump out your vessel who is minding the helm?

Bilge pumps are not a panacea to ignore possible window or deck fitting leaks. These need to be resolved by inspection and proactive preventative maintenance.

That’s my two cents.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[dlandersson]

Ditto

Bilge pumps are not a panacea to ignore possible window or deck fitting leaks. These need to be resolved by inspection and proactive preventative maintenance.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

Anyone ever used something like this?

I have one for fuel transfer from a large container into an ATV. Works well for that. Slow and steady. However, I would imagine if it ingested any kind solid particle it would choke.