Bilge pump mounting

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Rick

Hello, I'm going to mount an electric Bilge pump w/ a automatic float switch in the bilge of my O'day 25' shallow draft w/ swing centerboard. Questions: 1. Does it matter which side of the centerboard trunk the pump & switch is located on? The starboard side would work for me because I plan on running the discharge hose out the head sink through-hull fitting. (the sink in our head area has been removed and turned into storage space). 2. Can I screw the pump & switch into the bottom (sole) of the bilge itself and if so, how thick is the fiberglass at this point. (I wouldn't sink the screws any deeper than 1/4" to 3/8"). Any feedback / photo's of your installation would of great help! Thank you in advance. Rick Leger , "Tiny Dancer" RLeger@gis.net
 
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web

Bilge Pump Thoughts

Rick - I would install the bilge pump a little differently if I were you. I'd clean the sole of the bilge really well with acetone, after making sure that there is no loose stuff. Then I'd epoxy or 5200 some Starboard or similar HDPE product to the bilge, and mount the bilge pump to that. That way you're not putting holes into an area of glass that may routinely have some water over it with the resulting risk of damage. Justin - O'dayy Owners' Web
 
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Paul Mieszczenski

Double your pleasure

Rick, I have two pumps on my O'D25, one on each side of the the centerboard trunk all the way at the forward end of the sump. I made a 1/2" PVC pipe frame/saddle that fits over the trunk and then runs aft 8" on the bottom of the bilge. the pumps are held to the verticals with a hose clamp and the float switches are screwed to the after piece just behind the pumps. The floor board keeps everything in place. The discharge hoses go to a "Y" fitting on the forward side of the port bulkhead in the hanging locker and then to the standard outlet fitting on the port side. I don't see anything wrong about using the sink outlet, just be sure to loop the hose at least a foot above the fitting to prevent water flowing into the bilge when heeled. Each pump is wired separatly to its own switch/fuse and battery. It might sound like over kill for what is normally a very dry boat, but you would be suprised at how much water comes in around a well sealed port with 60 knot wind driven rain. (read tropical storms Danny and Irene; yes on board for both in a very protected dock) Dry bilges, PM
 
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Don Evans

How I Did It

I have 2 pumps, and one float switch, one pump either side of the wall seperating the bilge area. One side (port) pumps the water to the other (starboard), by snaking a discharge hose around the bilge wall, up under the floor in the head area, then back into the starboard side bilge area. You can see this area is open under the floor pan. From there it pumps through a discharge hose back through the bilge area and eventually through a through-hull on the transom, above the waterline. Pumping to the head sink through-hull is a good plan. Make sure your pump can raise the water to this height. The bilge pump I have is wedged into this space very tightly and does not move, however I put a couple of small SS screws just into the resin. I believe the resin and fiberglass in this area is inches thick, as it is supporting the 1700 lbs of keel. Don
 
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