recently replaced sole of my cabin to find only 3" of room under it where do i put a bilge pump? i havent found one to fit in this small of space. what about remote location with a sensor? or do they make one low profile?
bilge pump ??? *O
- Thread starter sand sailor
- Start date
- Status
Try a manual Whale pump, also
I also have limited bilge on my Hunter 27. I used a "Rule" pump with a separate float switch, but also came with a manual handpump pickup which is only about an inch tall. I had to add some "flotation" to the float switch as is it did not respond soon enough with such a short bilge. Any water left in the bilge generally overflowed to the main salon sole when on a heel greater than about 20 degrees. (Really annoys the Admiral when that happens!) The "Whale" pump itself is mounted on the port side of the cockpit which is also a wall the pilot berth, and has a 1 inch flex tube leading down to the pump pickup in the forward part of the bilge. Although there are fiberglassed cross braces across the bilge, about 18 inches apart, there are also limber holes for the bilgewater to drain through. I don't recall the exact dimension of the Rule DC pump, but it must be about 3 inches. It drains to a separate through hull than the Whale manual handpump. Bob
I also have limited bilge on my Hunter 27. I used a "Rule" pump with a separate float switch, but also came with a manual handpump pickup which is only about an inch tall. I had to add some "flotation" to the float switch as is it did not respond soon enough with such a short bilge. Any water left in the bilge generally overflowed to the main salon sole when on a heel greater than about 20 degrees. (Really annoys the Admiral when that happens!) The "Whale" pump itself is mounted on the port side of the cockpit which is also a wall the pilot berth, and has a 1 inch flex tube leading down to the pump pickup in the forward part of the bilge. Although there are fiberglassed cross braces across the bilge, about 18 inches apart, there are also limber holes for the bilgewater to drain through. I don't recall the exact dimension of the Rule DC pump, but it must be about 3 inches. It drains to a separate through hull than the Whale manual handpump. Bob
Where was it before?
If it has done without one since 1968 I would not worry at this time; especially if the boat is trailered. I looked in some of the catalogues and could not find one either. The Rule 360 GPH is 3.5 inches high which is the same as the 500 GPH so I would rather use the larger one. The usual problem with shallow bilges is installing a floating foot switch as the clerance necessary for that foot to swing may exceeds the available clearance. For that reason I may choose an electric switch or a fully encapsulated one. An alternative, to accomodate a higher pump, is to cutout and raise a small area over the pump. You will need an inspection port or lid anyways so it would be easy just to build a raised lid. I would try to do it in the corner by the companionway and away from foot traffic if possible. A bump in the middle of the sole is not going to work. Good luck.
If it has done without one since 1968 I would not worry at this time; especially if the boat is trailered. I looked in some of the catalogues and could not find one either. The Rule 360 GPH is 3.5 inches high which is the same as the 500 GPH so I would rather use the larger one. The usual problem with shallow bilges is installing a floating foot switch as the clerance necessary for that foot to swing may exceeds the available clearance. For that reason I may choose an electric switch or a fully encapsulated one. An alternative, to accomodate a higher pump, is to cutout and raise a small area over the pump. You will need an inspection port or lid anyways so it would be easy just to build a raised lid. I would try to do it in the corner by the companionway and away from foot traffic if possible. A bump in the middle of the sole is not going to work. Good luck.
Bob, among our flotilla we also have an h27
Cherubini. We solved the shallow bilge/pump problem by utilizing an electronically controlled automatic bilge pump. It's a Rule 500GPH 4" high. It is controlled by a computer chip and turns itself on every 2.5 minutes and runs for 1 second scanning for water. If it feels enough water resistance in the impeller blades it will continue pumping until water is expelled and then shuts off. It's power consumption is almost nill at less than 1/2 amp per 24 hour period. Its light hum every 2.5 minutes also lets you know it's working. Since very little water remains standing on the bilge at any time no spill over during heeling is experienced and the water comes out in short spurts as opposed to a steady stream. Having a manual pump as a safety precaution is definitely a good measure in addition to a powered bilge pump to protect the boat when unattended.
Cherubini. We solved the shallow bilge/pump problem by utilizing an electronically controlled automatic bilge pump. It's a Rule 500GPH 4" high. It is controlled by a computer chip and turns itself on every 2.5 minutes and runs for 1 second scanning for water. If it feels enough water resistance in the impeller blades it will continue pumping until water is expelled and then shuts off. It's power consumption is almost nill at less than 1/2 amp per 24 hour period. Its light hum every 2.5 minutes also lets you know it's working. Since very little water remains standing on the bilge at any time no spill over during heeling is experienced and the water comes out in short spurts as opposed to a steady stream. Having a manual pump as a safety precaution is definitely a good measure in addition to a powered bilge pump to protect the boat when unattended.
Bilge Pump
You can use a diaphram pump, which is self priming, along with a good float switch. I have had a set up like this in my S2 for several years. The pump is mounted in a galley cabinet, with the pickup hose and electronic switch in the bilge. You can use a smaller Rule or whatever pump with a switch, but I would not recommend one of the pumps that has a sensor and comes on every so often, unless you are hooked up to shore power when not on the boat. These work fine, but can drain a battery over time, if not hooked up to shore power and a charger.
You can use a diaphram pump, which is self priming, along with a good float switch. I have had a set up like this in my S2 for several years. The pump is mounted in a galley cabinet, with the pickup hose and electronic switch in the bilge. You can use a smaller Rule or whatever pump with a switch, but I would not recommend one of the pumps that has a sensor and comes on every so often, unless you are hooked up to shore power when not on the boat. These work fine, but can drain a battery over time, if not hooked up to shore power and a charger.
- Status