85' 22 modifications

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sep 3, 2013
146
Hunter 22 Lake Eufaula
Here we go, at the end of this month, I plan to bring my boat home for the winter, not because it's too cold... :) just so I can work on it and make some modifications... 1st on the list I would like to install a bilge pump... I've seen other mention the cut out right in front of the battery compartment. how long does the hose need to be? I'm sure I can figure out where it needs to exit the boat, but advise is always appreciated! 2nd I was thinking of putting in a small pump, on my sink so I don't have to do the manual pump to get water into the sink... not that it's hard, just love gadgets! I was thinking a bilge pump would work for that too? need to stay cheap! even if it doesn't last long... ok go! :)
 
Jun 16, 2010
495
In search of my next boat Palm Harbor, FL
Installing a bilge pump in front of the battery compartment is the only place on an H22 to easily install one. There are two problems 1) in front of the battery is not the lowest point of the bilge. The pump will run dry and there will still be almost 10 gallons of water left. Trust me ;) You can rig some tubing that runs down toward the keel trunk then you will get most of it, but it may not be automatic at that point. 2) Even a small pump will stick up through the bilge access where your talking about, making the storage under the companion way less usable. Give and take.

I don't think you want to use the same pump for both the bilge and sink, as one is fresh water, and the other is... well... bilge water.

The nice thing about the H22 is that its simple. Don't over complicate it. My H22 sits in the water 24/7/365 except one week every couple years for on the hard maintenance. My bilge is dry, and has been for years. (knock on wood) I have an electric bilge pump on board, but not mounted to anything. It has an 8ft discharge hose connected to it, but its just stored in the starboard locker. Its from when I first got her and she may as well have been a strainer sitting in the water. I replaced the sink thru hull and replaced the keel bolts and that took care of it.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,163
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
I had a Spirit 23 for 12 years without a permanently mounted bilge pump. The boat stayed in the water all year long. I used a manual one with a 6' intake and enough discharge to get to the sink drain. You should not have water in the bilge; if you do, you have a leak which as inarathree says should be corrected.
 

SeaTR

.
Jan 24, 2009
408
Hunter 22 Groton
Chasemixon,
I agree with inarathree, you don't want (try) to use a bilge pump for PW application.

I have two bilge pumps on my (salvage) boat, mostly because I'm slow to getting around to 'everything' for repair/replace efforts. One pump is in the starboard bilge next to the sink seacock/overboard line. The second pump is in the location you describe under the companionway ladder, and yes, one does lose some storage when installing at this location.

This second pump is installed because I always get some leakage from my keel bolts. I guess I still have not found the proper materials, torque, or configuration for a good seal on my keel bolts to have what inarathree has..."DRY AS A BONE" conditions (and for years !). Yes, I'm jealous of inarathree not only for that reason, but also the 'year-round' sailing available to him. :)

In other words, I guess I'm somewhat mechanically 'encumbered'. :-{
I got an idea over the summer from Isaksp00 to use Butyl rubber tape under the keel bolts ...and will use that prior to 2014 spring launch. BUT, I first have to fix my trailer's broken axle (of course, the boat is ON it !). ..that's another story over in the Trailer Sailors forum..

If it has not already been done, might I suggest directing your efforts to moving the factory installed fuse panel up and out of the "bilge and foot traffic area" on the starboard side to somewhere 'higher'?
 
Jun 16, 2010
495
In search of my next boat Palm Harbor, FL
Moving the fuse panel is a good idea. I can tell you that the H22 will still float with enough water in it to cover the panel :/ I kind of wish now when I rebuild/replace/rewired everything that i had moved it. But its not going to happen now. If its something you do decide to do, I have my wiring drawings, and a copy of the original wiring drawings that come in the manual.

I would suggest adding a permanent VHF and running an antenna to the top of the mast. I only take the mast down once every couple years. So that project had to wait till this past summer.

SeaTR - I plan on being out on the water this weekend. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=fhpf1
 

SeaTR

.
Jan 24, 2009
408
Hunter 22 Groton
Ya, Ya, Ya, go ahead and rub it in inarathree ! :}
I just can't wait until the snow starts flying up here in New England...it'll be just THAT much closer to launch time again...You do know what "snow" is inarathree ?? You guys had some in the winter of 1977 ..that included the Bahamas (I was living in Orlando at the time).

Chasemixon, if you DO plan on rewiring the boat / moving the fuse box, give me a shout. I did not make, nor save any wiring diagrams as it comes easy for me, but can walk you through whatever configurtion you have in mind. I spent 6 years as a US Navy Electrician (a long time ago), and the H22 doesn't have THAT many loads to wire up, so I never saw the need to draw anything up.
 
Sep 3, 2013
146
Hunter 22 Lake Eufaula
BOO!

Well you guys sure know how to take the wind out of someone sails... pun intended! :) and just for the sake of argument, I was going to use two different bilge pumps, one for the area down next to the keel and one for fresh water... ok so I'm an IT guy so I'm in to upgrades and like SeaTR, electrical stuff comes easy, besides moving the fuse panel, what else can I do? I really wanted pressurize water!
 

SeaTR

.
Jan 24, 2009
408
Hunter 22 Groton
What else to do?
Simply, It all depends upon your present configuration and what your highest priorities are.
 
Jun 5, 2004
23
Hunter 22 Acworth/Atlanta
I have a bilge pump on my H22 that I've never used. I have had some water in the bilge while sailing in 3 to 4 foot waves in the Pensacola area from the splash where the line runs over the block to the keel. I have sponged it out. I would also recommend a smaller pump for the galley because of the large water flow with a bilge pump. This is what I use on mine, and it comes with the faucet and switch. From West Marine. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...gclid=CJWqh_r707oCFWpk7Aodq3EA6A#.Unw1GOIzLfM
 
Sep 3, 2013
146
Hunter 22 Lake Eufaula
Well, as far as where she is, I think it is pretty stock, I did notice that one of the previous owners added another fuse panel to it. I have 2. but other than that, she looks like every picture I've seen from the '85 H22. what have, when I asked what should I do, I should have said, what are some things you guys have done? I was also thinking about some solar panels, but just don't have the money for those right now, well not to do them right. So what modifications have you guys done?
 
Jun 16, 2010
495
In search of my next boat Palm Harbor, FL
I am not a big fan of modifications. I like simple boats. Even simple bigger boats. In all systems, as complexity approaches infinity, the mean time between failure drops to zero. Same with "upgrades". Most of the work I have done on my boats has been undoing previous owners "upgrades" or modifications.

Having said that...

I have added a VHF and antenna at the top of the mast. Added cam cleats for the jib sheets. and thats about it.

The H22 is a nice day sailer, spend a night, maybe two on it, but I wouldn't try to turn it into a week long cruiser, by adding solar panels. There are better boats for that.
 
Sep 3, 2013
146
Hunter 22 Lake Eufaula
Ok thanks I'll resist the solar stuff, I still want to get a water pump for the sink, and a bilge pump. I'll also look into a VHF radio. Thanks for all you guys help!
 
Dec 8, 2011
172
Hunter 23.5 New Orleans
My $.02.

If your sailing area keeps you in sight of land, you may wish to consider avoiding the complication of a fixed VHF radio with a masthead antenna. Depending upon where you sail, you may be able to maintain the same communication capability using the cell phone you already own, supplemented with a hand held VHF radio. VHF range is essentially line of sight, that is just a bit past your visible horizon, say five miles with a hand held unit. Putting a VHF antenna at the masthead significantly extends the VHF range and makes sense if you intend to sail farther off shore.

The primary purpose of your VHF is safety, that is calling for help. In my sailing area, there is good cell phone coverage and I have entered into my phone the local Coast Guard as well as state and parish marine rescue phone numbers. The hand held VHF supplements that capacity while providing communication with friends on the water. So for my locale, I don't need the work of chasing an antenna wire down the inside of the mast, installing a deck plug and wiring up a fixed VHF unit...your sailing neighborhood may be similar.

Kind regards

Hugh
 

SeaTR

.
Jan 24, 2009
408
Hunter 22 Groton
Chase, Might I suggest the Whale model #UF0815 freshwater pump ? ...from www.Defender.com page 100 of their catalog, see attached. It is self-priming up to 10 ft, draws only 5 amps, can run dry..no problem, and is moderately priced.

And a Rule 'auto' pump, ...from www.Defender.com page 99 of their catalog...see attached also.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.