Happy Bilge Pump Monday--- on my New To Me -- 1984 Huinter 31'----,,, After Installing a NEW Bilge Pump and Float Switch,,, and CLEANED the Bilge, ughhh,, I discovered, or more aprroprialtey, FAILED to discover, a Manual Bilge site on deck or below,,,,, am I missing something here,,,, and if there Really is not one,,, is it neccessary, and YES, I realize ONLY if in an emergency,,,, Thanking you in advance,,
- Status
Manual Bilge
Yes you should have one. Somewhere int the cockpit you shoild see it - it should have a small hole to insert a pipe or bilge pump handle to pump out the bilge. Handle is probably located in the cockpit lazerette (or should be). You might also see an emergency steering pipe/handle. Your emergency steering should be a round plate directly above the rudder post. Unscrew this and insert the emergency steering handle. Using a P-Touch Label maker by Brother - I make identifying labels for the Bilge Pump, Emergency Steering. And label the lazerette on the outside with small labels what emergency things are inside (Fire Extinguisher, Bilge Pump Handle, Emergency Steering, Life Vests etc.) I point these things out when taking out a new crew for the first time.
Yes you should have one. Somewhere int the cockpit you shoild see it - it should have a small hole to insert a pipe or bilge pump handle to pump out the bilge. Handle is probably located in the cockpit lazerette (or should be). You might also see an emergency steering pipe/handle. Your emergency steering should be a round plate directly above the rudder post. Unscrew this and insert the emergency steering handle. Using a P-Touch Label maker by Brother - I make identifying labels for the Bilge Pump, Emergency Steering. And label the lazerette on the outside with small labels what emergency things are inside (Fire Extinguisher, Bilge Pump Handle, Emergency Steering, Life Vests etc.) I point these things out when taking out a new crew for the first time.
Aint got one
I have a 85 H34 and it does not have a manual pump. There was only one bilge pump installed and the PO put in a wimpy 500 GPH Rule. I have since replaced the 500 with a 1500 because of the pressure needed to open the check valve - Oh yes... another bad feature on the Hunter 31/34 models. That 12 ft of hose run that has to go up 5 ft requires a check valve so the bilge pump does not cycle. Thats allot of head pressure! A little pump will not be reliable to overcome that head pressure to open up a check valve. So, if you have a wimpy 500, I would recommend replacing it with at least a 1000 or 1500 to start. You should then look into installing a second high capacity pump with a switch above the primary bilge for an emergency.
I have a 85 H34 and it does not have a manual pump. There was only one bilge pump installed and the PO put in a wimpy 500 GPH Rule. I have since replaced the 500 with a 1500 because of the pressure needed to open the check valve - Oh yes... another bad feature on the Hunter 31/34 models. That 12 ft of hose run that has to go up 5 ft requires a check valve so the bilge pump does not cycle. Thats allot of head pressure! A little pump will not be reliable to overcome that head pressure to open up a check valve. So, if you have a wimpy 500, I would recommend replacing it with at least a 1000 or 1500 to start. You should then look into installing a second high capacity pump with a switch above the primary bilge for an emergency.
My
84 31' doesn't have a manual pump installed. For the time being I am using a portable pump with enough hose to reach over the side of the boat. Although not ideal it is legal (in Canada eh). I do plan to build in a pump which can be operated from the cockpit.
84 31' doesn't have a manual pump installed. For the time being I am using a portable pump with enough hose to reach over the side of the boat. Although not ideal it is legal (in Canada eh). I do plan to build in a pump which can be operated from the cockpit.
No manual pumps install in that time frame.
There were no manual bilge pumps installed on these boats during that era that I know about and have not heard about any of them either. I would never add a check valve in a bilge pump line. Most advise is to never try this to keep your bilge dry. It is better to have a little water in the bilge vs the chance of a check valve plugging up and preventing water from being pumped overboard.
There were no manual bilge pumps installed on these boats during that era that I know about and have not heard about any of them either. I would never add a check valve in a bilge pump line. Most advise is to never try this to keep your bilge dry. It is better to have a little water in the bilge vs the chance of a check valve plugging up and preventing water from being pumped overboard.
- Status