bilge pumps

[David Cooper]

I am in the process of installing two new bilge pumps in my O'Day 25. What I am trying to figure out, and hoping someone can help, is what is the best way to install the discharge hose? Do I need to put in another through hull fitting or can I tap into one of the existing drains without any drilling.

 

[Ed Garcia]

My two cents worth

I would recommend an above the waterline separate discharge so that you can monitor the pumps and avoid any backflow/siphoning issues. My 25 has a separate discharge located on the transom about a foot away from the cockpit drain/discharge. This makes it easy to check on bilge pump functioning for me. If you try to use an existing fitting you will need to install some check valves to ensure the water goes in the right direction. Good Luck.

 

[Brian]

Seperate discharge

I would opt for a seperate thru hull for the bilge. To share a thru hull would be asking for issues like the drain backfilling into the bilge, not a design I would like. Even with check valves this can happen by the valve getting stuck open with trash from the bilge. You could install manual valves, but that opens another can of worms. Just my two cents