25.5 Bilge & Fresh Water System Issues

[TyThurman]

Recently purchased an '84 25.5, and am slowly resolving issues. Topside she's in pretty good shape, and I've already had her out several times. Most of her problems are below deck. If any of you have dealt with these, I'd love some advice:

There appears to be no electric bilge pump. The wires that run through the bilge are for the mast lighting, I believe. (Electrics are a whole other topic.) Was this model sold with a portable manual bilge pump only? I'm thinking of buying a small one and just keeping a short hose on board for outflow. It appears I could also run to the sink in v-berth, as it flows to a through-hull just below.

There is a white hose leading into the bilge. Is this for a pump located elsewhere? Or is this a drain from somewhere else?

Where does the cool box in galley drain to? My cool box is terribly molded/mildewed and at some point I want to address that.

All of the bilge questions are being driven by a near serious water issue I had a few days ago. PO told me he had never used fresh water tank. Hoses were disconnected at sinks, so I assumed someone had winterized at some point. I hooked them up and started filling the tank, only to discover that someone had removed the T fitting to the two water lines at the bottom of the tank. All 20 gallons or so went straight to the bilge! (Actually I hope that's where it all went. Concerned that some may have gone other routes.) After spending a couple of hours pumping out the bilge by hand, I think I'd like a little help next time. LOL

Thanks for any help,
Ty Thurman
Nashville

PS: Future questions will deal with replacement of cabin wood that has been damaged over the years by slow leaks. I think my bulkheads are still serviceable, but perhaps not. I realize there is considerable stress from chainplates. I'm staying out of heavier wind for now, until boat and my sailing skills are more proven. Sole is bad around bilge access. May eventually replace it entirely. Also, looking to retrofit for shore power.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I have the same year and model.
My electric bilge pump is located in the forward space under the smaller of the two removable bilge floor boards. I am not sure if all boats had a split bilge board. The white corrugated hose goes from the pump forward through the reinforced beam into the v Berth cabin, bears starboard up and out through the through hole under the sink. There is a second through hole for the sink about 6-8 inches away.
Wires for the pump come from the battery located under the bench seat adjacent to the bulkhead. ( I have two batteries, the second being under the other bench seat.) On the bench wall close to the floor is a manual override switch for the bilge pump.

I have yet to use the ice box. According to the handbook there is a corrugated drain hose from the box to the sump. Although not in bad shape, there is a little debris and staining in the bottom. This will be a summer job when they switch the water back on at the docks.

As for the potable water. I have a working pump, however the pressure lines all need to be replaced, along with a fresh filter. Another summer project. I was recently reading an article in BoatWorks, Summer 2007 edition, where they describe how to do it using Whale's Quick Connect hose and couplings. My guess it is the same as Pex, but of Marine grade.

Pardon the pun, but we are in the same boat on a lot of the issues you have, so feel free to private message me through the Forum tools. One other thing. I really don't know the nautical terms for everything, so sometimes it's "Make a right" and other times it's called "Starboard"

 

[JoeWhite]

Ty - I had a 1984 Hunter 25.5 for about 6 years. I have provided a lot of improvements. No there was not bilge pump in it and I added it. I have many photos if you would like an idea of how to do that. I ran new wires from the circuit breaker panel that is just below the companionway to the bilge. You drop the wire down directly through the cabinet below and go all the way down to the hull. From the opposite side you can actually fish a wire through the existing holes along with the remaining wires. To do this cut one of the wires and tie a long wire about 10 feet to it then pull this wire out from the bilge side then add a black and a red wire from the bilge side and pull all the wires back and reconnect the cut wires. As far as the pump drain - it must have a drain without any valve on it. I took a 5/8" hose and placed it from the under the floor board and came in up to the storage on the port forward seat then into the closet behind the Porto-potty and made a hole about a 12" below the gunwale and added a drain plug. When the pump drains the water and stops some of the water drains back into the bilge. This is OK but you must make sure that the rise of this water does not turn on the pump again otherwise it will cycle many times and drain the battery. You should not place any switch on it so that it is on all the time. I had also added a second battery with a switch under the aft seat of the table.
The ice box drains into the bile. You should see a hose that ends on the upper end of the bilge. I proved this by pouring about a cup of water into the icebox and watch it come out into the bilge.
Let me know if I can help. I also designed a mast rasing equipment that makes it somuch easier that I can do this prcatically all by myself!
haro_b@att.net
Be sure to seal the chain plates with caulking and keep the water out.

 

[twistedline]

I also have a 1984 25.5. Here are some pictures from before I got it.

You can see the pump to the right of the picture. As twodzusfittings I also have a second battery under the bench and its connected directly to that. The pumps outlet goes to the head's through hull.

Not sure if you are interested but while I am posting pictures....I have a freshwater pump mounted under the stern berth, you can see it here:

I have been looking everywhere for the "Manual" for this boat, do any of you happen to have a pdf version of it?

Thanks,

Warren.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I have 14 loose leaf pages of what might be a owners handbook. It shows Specs, plumbing, electrical, construction detail, keel installation, Rigging tuning, etc. I would need to take it to work and scan the documents to share them on line. I don't see a copyright sign, so I suppose it is OK and as I am not gaining financially, it should be ok.

 

[TyThurman]

I would greatly appreciate any documentation. I contacted Hunter about manuals for the 25.5 and they have nothing. Anything we can all do to help keep these boats afloat is worthwhile. I see no legal issues here as the manufacturer is no longer supporting this model technically. I have found some info, but not a complete manual or handbook. Looking forward to seeing what you have. Thanks to all who have gotten back to me on my bilge questions.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Lets see if this works

 

[TyThurman]

Robert, thank you very much! I am finding that at almost 30 years of age, most of these boats have been modified quite a bit. For example, my battery is now located in the larger cockpit locker instead of the cabin. I've seen a few partial documents, but this is the first complete manual I've seen. I've saved it and will be printing it out to include in a maintenance binder I'm setting up. Bet others will appreciate this as well.

 

[TyThurman]

Thanks for the pics. I bet someone was preparing to install an electric pump on mine, but never finished the job. The sinks still have manual vacuum pumps, so I'd have a few things to buy beyind just the pump if I convert to electric.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Going down to the boat this Sunday. I will be taking pictures if you like. What is it you are mainly looking for?

 

[TyThurman]

Any pics of mods/upgrades to water and bilge systems would be appreciated. Also if your boat has been set up for shore power I'd love to see how it was done. I will post pics of my projects.

 

[twistedline]

Lets see if this works

Thank you!!!

 

[twistedline]

Thanks for the pics. I bet someone was preparing to install an electric pump on mine, but never finished the job. The sinks still have manual vacuum pumps, so I'd have a few things to buy beyind just the pump if I convert to electric.

Mine actually had a switch on near the fuse panel which would turn on the pump. I also had the original attwood faucets, I believe they will work with pressurized water, you just turn them instead of pumping them. I didn't like this setup so I replaced the faucet with one that had a little button next to it that turns on the pump. I wanted to get the ATTWOOD 61425 which will switch on the pump when you turn it but didn't want to drop $100.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Going down to the boat this Sunday. I will be taking pictures if you like. What is it you are mainly looking for?

Will upload pictures of shore power set up and water pump area/units.
I spent all day on the boat fixing this that and the other, finally remembered that I had said I would take pictures. Got home and promptly fell asleep. Will upload tonight to the forum.

I pulled the accumulator, the pump and the filter off and took them home. When I woke up, I went to the workshop to take a look. The mould build up in the filter was increadible. Luckily it is the type that has a washable stainless screen. Sorted it all out and left to dry. The accumulator had some of the same. I soaked that in citric acid overnight. Will rinse out today. The pump works, but a fitting is snapped off inside. Replacement is easy, but you have to make sure the check valve is in the correct direction for flow. Once I have time I will clean out the pump to avoid any mould sludge from entering the filter or lines.

I think with all of this effort, I will replace all lines with fresh, then flush and sanitize the tank.

As I said, pictures to follow tonight.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Electrical:

 

[twodzusfittings]

Water Pump for Fresh Water"

 

[Canonshooternb]

I have 1985 version of the 25.5 model in what appears to be the same shape and planning on doing the same repairs in a few weeks when it warms up (Atlantic Canada). It was purchased this past Sept and I did not get her in the water as she had some minor damage to take care of. The Mast base had to be trimmed and a spacer installed, The soul was water damaged and I am now replacing, and the interior fresh water and drain lines need replacing.
My Bilge pump is located in the same location and has a 3-way rocker switch mounted on the side of the seat with ON-Off-Auto which appears to work OK.
This thread was a treat to find to see what others are doing with the same boat. I hope to be able to contribute as well to the work in progress.

Cheers folks

 

[TyThurman]

These pics are great. Thanks so much! When I get started on my shore power retrofit I'll take pics too. I'm setting up a breaker box to be mounted on the wooden panel facing the galley in the larger cockpit locker. I think I'll put my connector socket on the angled back of the locker facing the transom vs. having it face the foot area. Only issue I could see is making sure there is room to get the cable in and connected.

 

[twodzusfittings]

"Only issue I could see is making sure there is room to get the cable in and connected."

Agreed. The Shore Power Cable is fat and should have room to bend. I have my fuel line from two 6 gallon tanks coming out through a covered vent hole in the area you are considering. My guess is as long as you can plug in and get your hands in to close the cap when not in use, it really doesn't matter.

The plan is to replace the existing hoses for the water with fresh hose. My idea to use the Whale system is a little pricey and I think the difference could be spent on other upgrades which I/We will benefit from.

 

[SVClover]

Just bought my 25.5 yesterday and am starting my 'list' - bilge pump is first on the priority list. Thanks for the info and I will try to add anything I can to the forum.

Mike