Adding an Automatic Bilge Pump

[kpgraci]

Hey All,

Got an '73 ODay 22, now in a marina (!) so I want (need) to install an automatic bilge pump.

The Oday 22 has only a small round hole to fit a manual pump or other tube in, so a submersible design will not work.

I've already figured out how I think I want to hook it up:

Using PVC build a 90 degree pipe to go down into the hole, directed back under the cockpit to a pump. I'm going to remove the sink as part of an overall interior redesign, so I'll take over the sink thru-hill drain for the outlet. I'll build a small step to cover the pipe plus aid in stepping down into the cabin.

I've located what I believe to be a suitable pump:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=59440&googleaffiliate=

Looking for feedback from other Oday 22 owners that already have a bilge pump - how is yours hooked up? See any problems with my plans?

Thanks!

 

[HukilauMike]

Why do you need an automatic bilge pump? IIRC, the Oday 22 has no below the waterline inlets. All of the water that I get in the bilge of my Oday 23 is from rainwater that leaks in from various places. Easily handled with the manual pump on an ongoing basis whenever I am at the boat. Do you have some below the waterline inlets (speedo?) that are of concern?

 

[kpgraci]

Why do you need an automatic bilge pump? IIRC, the Oday 22 has no below the waterline inlets. All of the water that I get in the bilge of my Oday 23 is from rainwater that leaks in from various places. Easily handled with the manual pump on an ongoing basis whenever I am at the boat. Do you have some below the waterline inlets (speedo?) that are of concern?

No, there are no below waterline fittings. Rain leaking in is a potential issue (I just patched a big rain leak a few days ago), we can get a lot of rain here in a weeks time...but mainly I guess I'm just paranoid about it sitting in the water unattended for a month.

 

[HukilauMike]

If you have concerns about leaving the boat for a month at a time without a pump (and it sounds like you will enjoy the project anyway), then go for it. I don't think you will ever have to worry about rainwater leaking into the boat being anything more than an annoyance (the boat seems to have survived this long without an automatic pump), but its never a bad idea to have an automatic bilge pump. The expense and work (an extra battery? rewire the electric panel for a new fuse?) just never added up for me.

 

[kpgraci]

The expense and work (an extra battery? rewire the electric panel for a new fuse?) just never added up for me.

I just finished adding a 6-switch fuse panel to replace the rat's nest of wires the PO left. The boat came with 2 batteries, one is past its prime but still pulls a load. I suppose the pump does not need to be automatic, as the only way to get water in (while docked) is rain (preventable) or damage - and if its damage a pump will not prevent sinking for very long.

One thing I just thought about that I need to allow for in my design is a way to easily remove the PVC pipe so I can use a manual pump in case the batteries die or the pump fails.

Good thing I like projects :dance:

 

[Jfelkins]

How are you going to run the "exhaust" from the pump? I have a little manual pump but have to throw the hose over the side (and run it through the cockpit). I wish I could just flip a switch and have the pump start pushing water out somewhere out of the way. Can you tie the pump into the hose that drains the cockpit?

 

[RichBone]

This is where the discharge is on the 25. In the sheer stripe just aft of the strap. It's accessible from inside the cockpit locker.

Rich

 

[kpgraci]

How are you going to run the "exhaust" from the pump? I have a little manual pump but have to throw the hose over the side (and run it through the cockpit). I wish I could just flip a switch and have the pump start pushing water out somewhere out of the way. Can you tie the pump into the hose that drains the cockpit?

For the manual pump I just pump into the cockpit and let the cockpit drain handle it. For the electric pump I plan on taking over the sink thru-hull drain. I don't use the sink anyway and I plan on using the sink area for a bigger chart table.