I just bought a 1985 23 yesterday. Let me preface my question by saying I have never owned a boat and know nearly nothing about boat construction. I'm a quick study, eager learner and stubborn. That said, I can not find ANYTHING about whether a 1985 23 has or had a bilge pump. I've read old threads about the 23 that the lowest area is the keel bolt area. There is obviously no room for a bilge pump there. Does one put it in the lazarette? toward the cabin wall? TIA for any help!
23 bilge pump
- Thread starter peptobysmol
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I bought mine (as a first boat) ten years ago this year. The water in my bilge has been rainwater. I installed a 500gph (against lazaret bulkhead) with a thru-hull years ago and though useful at times, I weighed its advantages against risk. Statistically it is most likely a boat will sink as a result of a failed thru-hull, so last year I removed it and glassed over the hole, after repairing points of rainwater intrusion. Since I sail offshore and just think it prudent to still have an electric bilge pump I installed a 2000gph, purchasing that size following the logic I learned here- "the smaller the boat, the larger the bilge pump" for even a small hull breach will sink a small boat quickly. This one I have a hose attached to that I pull from the lazeret into the cockpit to drain. It is also removeable so that I can toss it over the side and pump water aboard for housekeeping. I considered if permanently installed I would put a thru-hull drain into the cockpit.
The boat wasn't equipped with a bilge pump because realistically, as it is designed to be used, it doesn't need one. Water aboard this boat, if properly maintained, can be removed with a hand pump and rags.
The sole pan of my boat was built with 1" holes drilled in the fore and aft vertical surfaces to allow flow. I replaced the forward v-berth bulkhead recently and found the forward hole glassed over during assembly, so drilled it out using a hole saw.
While on the subject of thru-hulls let me add I replaced my galley drain with a bronze one (with a ball valve). It became apparent its proximity put it at risk of getting banged and breaking off; this is the second plastic one installed in ten years and it became brittle (and snapped off when banged as I was removing my galley for reconditioning). My cockpit drain is next.
The boat wasn't equipped with a bilge pump because realistically, as it is designed to be used, it doesn't need one. Water aboard this boat, if properly maintained, can be removed with a hand pump and rags.
The sole pan of my boat was built with 1" holes drilled in the fore and aft vertical surfaces to allow flow. I replaced the forward v-berth bulkhead recently and found the forward hole glassed over during assembly, so drilled it out using a hole saw.
While on the subject of thru-hulls let me add I replaced my galley drain with a bronze one (with a ball valve). It became apparent its proximity put it at risk of getting banged and breaking off; this is the second plastic one installed in ten years and it became brittle (and snapped off when banged as I was removing my galley for reconditioning). My cockpit drain is next.
Thanks MM
My 1985 23 has a dual line/cleat mechanism for raising and lowering the swing keel. The lines attach to the keel with a tube going trough the lazarette to the cockpit drain. Is this an original manufacturing design or an post production add-on?
My 1985 23 has a dual line/cleat mechanism for raising and lowering the swing keel. The lines attach to the keel with a tube going trough the lazarette to the cockpit drain. Is this an original manufacturing design or an post production add-on?
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