After a more than a year of sailing on my 1984 O'Day 25. I am ready to install a bilge pump(s). I am interested to know where every one has them installed. I considered under the floor insert just forward of the mast post, but I do not think there is enought room. I was trying to place it in the lowest part of the boat so I could drain it dry if any raim water comes in, which has not happened in a while. I have come to the realization that the bilge pump will not drain the bilge dry, but is an emergency item only. I have sealed all possible leak points above the water line, that I know of, and have had a dry bilge for the past year. I have also routed the ice chest drain to the gally sink drain. I have only one seacock below the water line and that is for the gally sink and want a safty in case the seacock fails. Looking for some suggestions to place the Bilges. Thanks EJ Tews O'Day 25 _/) Jennifer Lea
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Mike Whalen
manual pump in cockpit locker
EJ, I didn't put mine in but its mounted on the front edge of the cockpit locker as far tot he right (aft) as it could be and still be accessible. It is stricley manual. The hose runs under the sink and intot he bilge (unfortunately only to one side of the divided bilge and there is no pass through from one to the other. It passes through a through hull pretty high up on the transom about level with the cockpit bench seat. I had a little water (never more than 1-2 gallons)when I bought the boat but my natural healing powers seem to resolved the issue. Ahmen. The pump works well. I don't know the make but will look. In an emergency I guess I could pull the hose off the pump and attach it to the fresh water pump in the holding tank. Its thiinking like that that makes me keep a knife and duct tape ready. Later, Mike
EJ, I didn't put mine in but its mounted on the front edge of the cockpit locker as far tot he right (aft) as it could be and still be accessible. It is stricley manual. The hose runs under the sink and intot he bilge (unfortunately only to one side of the divided bilge and there is no pass through from one to the other. It passes through a through hull pretty high up on the transom about level with the cockpit bench seat. I had a little water (never more than 1-2 gallons)when I bought the boat but my natural healing powers seem to resolved the issue. Ahmen. The pump works well. I don't know the make but will look. In an emergency I guess I could pull the hose off the pump and attach it to the fresh water pump in the holding tank. Its thiinking like that that makes me keep a knife and duct tape ready. Later, Mike
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Geof Tillotson
Bilge pump location
I placed an automatic bilge pump on the starboard side of the divided bilge about 6 inches aft of the front of the bilge. It's a 750 GPH pump on a 3 way switch. I routed the discharge out through the cockpit and overboard through the starboard clamshell vent. I installed it because I'm away from the boat for extended periods and I didn't want rain water building up in the bilge. Realize though that the float switch needs about an inch and a half of water to work, so there is some buildup in the bilge. I get at that with the sponge whenever the spirit moves me. I don't think that the pump will keep up with a failed thru-hull for very long, it might fight the influx of water but I'm sure the boat will go to Davy Jones Locker if it becomes a battle between a 1.75 inch hole and a 750 GPH pump, even if the power source was perfect, in this case the batteries will die too. It's peace of mind, really, and now I sleep better at nite. BTW - I used a spot of 4200 to attach the pump to the hull. The instructions were to "screw it down" but I couldn't see drilling into the bottom of the boat - seemed counter productive. Also, regarding the divided bilge, I figured water entering the port side, which has always been dry, would just eventually cascade over the CB trunk and the pump would kick in. Let me know if you want pics - I'll be happy to take and send some next time I'm at the boat. I also have a manual Whale pump with a pickup hose in the same location as the automatic pump, routed to the hand pump on the forward bulkhead in the starboard cockpit locker, the discharge is also out the clamshell vent, starboard side. Geof
I placed an automatic bilge pump on the starboard side of the divided bilge about 6 inches aft of the front of the bilge. It's a 750 GPH pump on a 3 way switch. I routed the discharge out through the cockpit and overboard through the starboard clamshell vent. I installed it because I'm away from the boat for extended periods and I didn't want rain water building up in the bilge. Realize though that the float switch needs about an inch and a half of water to work, so there is some buildup in the bilge. I get at that with the sponge whenever the spirit moves me. I don't think that the pump will keep up with a failed thru-hull for very long, it might fight the influx of water but I'm sure the boat will go to Davy Jones Locker if it becomes a battle between a 1.75 inch hole and a 750 GPH pump, even if the power source was perfect, in this case the batteries will die too. It's peace of mind, really, and now I sleep better at nite. BTW - I used a spot of 4200 to attach the pump to the hull. The instructions were to "screw it down" but I couldn't see drilling into the bottom of the boat - seemed counter productive. Also, regarding the divided bilge, I figured water entering the port side, which has always been dry, would just eventually cascade over the CB trunk and the pump would kick in. Let me know if you want pics - I'll be happy to take and send some next time I'm at the boat. I also have a manual Whale pump with a pickup hose in the same location as the automatic pump, routed to the hand pump on the forward bulkhead in the starboard cockpit locker, the discharge is also out the clamshell vent, starboard side. Geof
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Don Evans
Bilge Pumps
As you mentioned the 25 has the bilge divided between the top of the CB housing, fore and aft. There is just enough width there (as far forward as possible) to put 2 small pumps in ( I have Rule 1200's). I have them both wired to their respective float switch independantly. If the port bilge water rises it kicks on and dumps the water into the right starboard bilge through a hose snaked around the compression post, just under the floor (lift is about 8"), and back into the starboard bilge. From there I dump it from the starboard sump off the aft above waterline through hull via another hose snaked under the floor. Others I know have dumped it to the head sink through hull. These small pumps have very little lift capability above 3 feet so you don't want to raise the water too high as they will poop out. Thats why I went aft (about 16" above waterline, mid transom). I also like redundancy, and Mikes' idea of a manual bilge pump aboard. Don
As you mentioned the 25 has the bilge divided between the top of the CB housing, fore and aft. There is just enough width there (as far forward as possible) to put 2 small pumps in ( I have Rule 1200's). I have them both wired to their respective float switch independantly. If the port bilge water rises it kicks on and dumps the water into the right starboard bilge through a hose snaked around the compression post, just under the floor (lift is about 8"), and back into the starboard bilge. From there I dump it from the starboard sump off the aft above waterline through hull via another hose snaked under the floor. Others I know have dumped it to the head sink through hull. These small pumps have very little lift capability above 3 feet so you don't want to raise the water too high as they will poop out. Thats why I went aft (about 16" above waterline, mid transom). I also like redundancy, and Mikes' idea of a manual bilge pump aboard. Don
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Bilge Pump
I would encourage you to consider the pumps that cycle periodically. Simplified wiring but more importantly one less component to fail. Also - remember that in an emergency the pump buys you time. It will not save your boat. Even a small through-hull will flow more water than even a large pump in this range can pump. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I would encourage you to consider the pumps that cycle periodically. Simplified wiring but more importantly one less component to fail. Also - remember that in an emergency the pump buys you time. It will not save your boat. Even a small through-hull will flow more water than even a large pump in this range can pump. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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EJ Tews
Bilge Pump Locations - Thanks
I thank everyone for the input, I usually have the seacock closed when not on board. I was looking under the floor boards of my O'Day where the trunk hump is and I do not see how you can put a pump, I only have 3 inches of room. I will probably put it under the floor by the vanity sink. Thank you all again. EJ Tews O'Day 25 _/) Jennifer Lea
I thank everyone for the input, I usually have the seacock closed when not on board. I was looking under the floor boards of my O'Day where the trunk hump is and I do not see how you can put a pump, I only have 3 inches of room. I will probably put it under the floor by the vanity sink. Thank you all again. EJ Tews O'Day 25 _/) Jennifer Lea
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