Adding a back-up bilge pump

[Gunni]

I've got a new-to-me 411 and getting it ready to head over the horizon. I'll need another electric bilge pump, probably two. I'm thinking that a second high water pump in the shallow bilge area is a minimum - +3,000 gph and there looks to be a good thru-hull at the galley sink drain. Knowing that she'll likely settle low in the stern if she takes on water, another pump in the engine thru-hull area probably makes sense as well. Anyone done the upgrade?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Maybe I read this wrong but are you thinking of routing a bilge pump to a thruhull below the waterline (sink drain)?

 

[Ron20324]

Maybe I read this wrong but are you thinking of routing a bilge pump to a thruhull below the waterline (sink drain)?

Ditto- not a good idea to exit underwater- nor even CLOSE to the waterline.

On the engine thru-hull, put a tee fitting and add a shutoff valve then another hose to an appropriate pickup area. Shut off the thruhull and open the new valve and you can use the engine as a pump. Also a good way to pump antifreeze into the engine.

 

[Gunni]

My sink thru-hull is above the water line, and I would add an anti-siphon loop to the bilge pump discharge.

The engine raw water intake is a seriously large diameter intake, under considerable constant head pressure (keel). Thanks, but I'm not inclined to add a tee, another seacock, some additional bandclamps and hose at this location. That hose needs to stay KISS.