Bilge water

[Chuck Fort]

Last fall I bought a 1983 Hunter 27 that was missing a bolt from the strut,which allowed a little water to come in. This kept some water in the bilgeat all times, and when the boat was heeled, the water went up into thestorage under the settees. I have hopefully fixed the leak by replacing thebolt, and sealing all areas where wires run near the bilge. My question is:What can I do to improve the bilge pickup with such a wide shallow bilge?Can I safely grind a deeper depression into the bilge for the pump to sitin? Any other suggestions?

 

[TOM MANALILI]

NO WAY CHUCK,

Your bilge is shallow, and will only accept a small rule with a min. height, What I did, on my 82, I had to replace my floor bilge boards, making them out of 3/4" thk dbl finished sides ply, then glassed and painted, with a 8" dia. locking access hatchesm my boards are sealed with silicon along the edges, and screwed down in place, the bilge pump hose going into the strbrd settee, was sealed with 5200 around the orifice to manitain the water, I also shot plumber's foam on the inside inbrd edge of the settee, for any other possible leaks, I added a flush mtd removable handle man. bilge pump to the head, below the sink, and aft of the linnen closet, that ties into the head sink, and with a 8 ft. hose, can reach both floor board access hatches, if the little rule pump don't work.