Hi all, I am very new to boating so please excuse my level of knowledge, I am eager to learn! I am about to acquire this sailboat and then found some water by the auto bilge pump with some wiring that looks a bit corroded? I haven't been able to get much information from the current owner (who also doesn't know much about boats) and was hoping to learn a bit more about it. It honestly looks a bit sketchy and am trying to figure out how big of a problem it is/what the solution is for it. I've attached some photos as well. Thank you so much and let me know what other information I can provide!
Auto Bilge Pump Wiring/Water?
- Thread starter wren_pacificus
- Start date
Welcome to boat ownership! I see evidence of old abandoned wiring, questionable connections and corrosion.
Some water in the bilge is not unusual, depending on the level of the pump intake and the level of the switch. Is the pump working at all?
Some water in the bilge is not unusual, depending on the level of the pump intake and the level of the switch. Is the pump working at all?
Most bilge pumps can not completely dry out the bilge. It has to do with the type of pump typically used. So a little water is OK. Dry it out with a sponge.
If you were to buy this boat, cleaning the bilge and cleaning up the wiring would be on the to do list, but this is not a big deal. There are more important issues with older boats, such as the structural integrity of the boat.
If you were to buy this boat, cleaning the bilge and cleaning up the wiring would be on the to do list, but this is not a big deal. There are more important issues with older boats, such as the structural integrity of the boat.
The bilge pump and the switch is manufactured to be underwater, so if both are working, you should be fine as far as the equipment is concerned. Try to keep the wire connections out of the water as best you can. If the wiring looks really corroded at the ends, cut off as much as you need to get to better looking wire and make new crimp connections. Seal the connections with heat shrink. The best crimp connectors have heat shrink plastic on the connector. Heat the connectors and also put a heat shrink tube over the connector just for good measure. Then tuck the connected section somewhere it won't get wet, but you don't need to stress over it. If you really need to, replace the pump, the auto switch and even the wiring if it all makes you feel uncomfortably deteriorated. It's an easy project.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,749
Welcome to SBO. Yes the bilge looks like it needs maintenance work by an owner that cares about his boat.
The images do not look like they will sink the boat. If the boat in in a marina tied to a dock and floating you have evidence that while grody looking not a reason to run away.
Looking at a boat to purchase, I would take a picture and note my thoughts and move on to the rest of the boat looking in all the places most folks would not look. As @dlochner states “ structural issues “.
That said there have been and will be new owners who just buy a boat. Spend time and money fixing the boat. Some even untie the lines and go sailing. Most survive the experience. Have tales to tell their friends. Some realize a boat can be an expensive hobby to the uninformed or those who lack a DIY plan. This is not limited to boats.
Let us know what path you choose.
The images do not look like they will sink the boat. If the boat in in a marina tied to a dock and floating you have evidence that while grody looking not a reason to run away.
Looking at a boat to purchase, I would take a picture and note my thoughts and move on to the rest of the boat looking in all the places most folks would not look. As @dlochner states “ structural issues “.
- Is the deck solid or spongy?$$$
- Condition of rigging standing and running $$$
- Condition of sails $$$
- Do all the systems work $
- What systems need replacing $
- Is the seller ready to take the boat out on the water and show me what she can of or is the owner afraid to untie the lines
That said there have been and will be new owners who just buy a boat. Spend time and money fixing the boat. Some even untie the lines and go sailing. Most survive the experience. Have tales to tell their friends. Some realize a boat can be an expensive hobby to the uninformed or those who lack a DIY plan. This is not limited to boats.
Let us know what path you choose.
If you buy that boat you will most likely want to repair the wiring and if the bilge pump works now it will break eventually and probably sooner than you expect it to. Welcome to SBO there's lots of help on this website from personal experience to professional suggestions. It helps best to include a picture with your question as you have done and post what you decided to do.
Ok great, thank you! The rest of the boat is definitely structurally intact and solid, this was the only flag that came up for me.
Everything else on the boat seems fine, other than some cleaning that definitely needs to be done. The deck is definitely solid and it floats and sails! All systems look to work too. I really appreciate the list it helps me put everything into perspective on what's higher priority/cost. I'm lucking into this boat from someone who just cant take care of the slip costs anymore/does not have the time to take care of it, so I wonderfully don't need to think about that up front cost, although I know there's no such thing as a free boat so this helps trying to figure out what my actual cost will be! Thanks so much!!
Yes after everyone's responses that's definitely going on the top of my list of to do's! Thanks for the welcome!
