We are working on fixing up our 1981 hunter 22 and have discovered an issue with the bilge. The boat has been out of the water with its bow up since November. I emptied the bilge the best I could then. I covered with tarps for a long Colorado winter. Now I am thinking sailing and I noticed the bilge is full again. I found a leak in the bow hatch and fixed it. My question is how do I empty the bilge completely? Is there a compartment that I am missing? The compartment under the sink is sooooo small and I know there is more water below this area. How do I pump out the water below the table/swing keel? I feel good that the water in the bilge is not coming through hull now I need to figure out how to get it out.
1981 hunter 22 bilge
- Thread starter Flakeypuff
- Start date
You likely have water trapped between the stringers below the sole. It is a common occurrence and a hard one to correct. The largest problem is that the water will spoil and stink. I'm not a fan of drilling holes to get at the water as what usually comes up is the smell. One thing I do know is that when you go sailing as the boat heels, pitches and rolls some of the water will get dislodged and flow into the bilge where it can be pumped out. It can be a long process to try and get all the water out but it can only be successful if you first locate and fix the sources of the water intrusion. Rain leaks are usually the biggest offenders followed by leaky hoses.
I have a H22 also. A previous owner said to check the plates where the stays attach... especially the side stays. He said he had to pay attention to them as water from weather can seep into them, if not caulked/sealed properly, and somehow find its way into the bilge.
Hopefully the sun will come out and things will melt so I can try to work on fixing leaks. We already planned on sealing the stays. We also found that one of the screws for sliding hatch to the cabin had pulled out with a huge hole. We are trying to find a tube/ bilge to feed into the lower areas of the hull. Love the boat and love having a project to work on. Furling jib next.
Did you ever find a bilge pump with a hose to install. I have the same problem that I can`t even find a bilge pump low enough to permanently mount in the spot under the sink unless I drill into the wood cover. But even then the water seems to be lower by the keel bolts under the table. Did you try sticking a hose down there or are there stringers blocking it?
Open to suggestions from anyone I guess. Didn`t want to start a need Thread, would that be the proper way to go on here?
Thanks,
Thanks,
First look under boat information for the older 22 to see if there is any discussion and then check the archives first.