Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge ??

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Notwithstanding the lack of nautical etiquette I will call them all bilges...:naughty:
We have the aft most and highest which is under the engine, then going forward and at the next lower level the shower (sump) bilge, and finally the main bilge, lowest point in the boat.
The previous owner had installed a new Yanmar 2GM20, and drilled a small hole forward in the engine sump (bilge), explaining that since the engine barely ever dripped a drop of anything, this hole would allow the rare drip to trickle down...and magically show up in the main bilge...
I didn't like it then, and now is the time to address it.
I am thinking of sealing this hole. Then making another hole, and adding a 1/2' tube (flexible) at the lowest and most forward point in the engine bilge, with a stopper at the top end, and leading into the main bilge.
However, to do so, it would have to go through 2 of the crosspieces that comprise the forward section of the engine bilge, and the other between the shower bilge and the main bilge, under the floorboards.
The wiring diagrams seem to indicate that a bunch of wiring goes through these spaces.
Has anyone done this?
Any ideas?
Many thanks and sorry for such a long description.
Bob
S/V Seanorita
Isla Mujeres

 

[sandpiper10471]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Remembering back a few years to my H33. First, it is a good idea to have an intact pan under the engine. Never know when you are going to spill oil, develop a leak etc. I would seal up that hole. Secondly, if the engine pan (sump, bilge) gets too full, it will spill over at the aft end by the stuffing box and drain into the main bilge forward of the engine.

I had thought at one time of running a hose under the sole between the engine and the main bilge. I did have occasion to cut the entire sole out of the area to reinforce and repair damage at the aft keel to hull joint. There is almost no room in there for a hose of any kind. A flat run of wires, yes, but no hose of any size. And here I go entirely on memory: perhaps an inch between the bottom of the sole and the hull at centreline, less outboard.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Engine pans are meant to "contain", not to "drain". Anything you find there should be absorbed and properly disposed of I think. If you have small drips that needs to be fixed. Meanwhile use an absorbent pad. And Bob, I know that you know this. What are you concerned about that might fill the pan and need drained? Most likely it is something you could be fined for when it went overboard.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Thanks for the thoughts Ed.
Yes, you are right, this is not the ecologically sound thing to do.
That's why I wanted a stopper in there.
The area under the engine in our boat is very difficult to access and/or clean.
Luckily this is a very clean engine (today). However, in the event of a sizeable leak, my intent was to have the abililty to drain the oil pan into a more accessible spot where I could then remove the contents with something like a small wet/dry vac -- where the contents could be contained until I reach somewhere I can dispose of them (hopefully not overboard!!).
Yes, I am a diver since several decades ago, so pumping overboard was not the purpose. I appreciate your concern.
Yet, I do need to have the ability to drain this space in case of a leak, since I will probably be sailing only at that point, and sloshing a bunch of engine related fluids in that space is also unnattractive, so it's back to the drawing board.
Many thanks
Bob

 

[Stephen Trapani]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

The rear most bilge, under the shaft, is already connected to the main bilge, aft of the engine pan. At least it is stock. Any leak, including overflowing the engine pan enough, will end up in the main bilge. If yours isn't, it's probably just plugged. Mine was plugged recently and I unplugged it with a long copper wire.

 

[ChuckThomas]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Bob, could you post some pictures please? Does anyone have a "dry" bilge on these boats. My shower actually goes to a pan in the main bilge close to the keel bolts. In it is a pump with its own discharge. I also have a pump in the main bilge with its own discharge. I always have water in the bilge. Between the few drops from rudder post, drips from packing gland, and water from ice box there is a constant flow. In heavy seas that water can sometime (heck all the time) get in pan under engine and splash all the way to engine cooling strainer. I have been contemplating how to remedy since I owned the boat. I would like to see how others have done it.

 

[Stephen Trapani]

Bob, could you post some pictures please? Does anyone have a "dry" bilge on these boats. My shower actually goes to a pan in the main bilge close to the keel bolts. In it is a pump with its own discharge. I also have a pump in the main bilge with its own discharge. I always have water in the bilge. Between the few drops from rudder post, drips from packing gland, and water from ice box there is a constant flow. In heavy seas that water can sometime (heck all the time) get in pan under engine and splash all the way to engine cooling strainer. I have been contemplating how to remedy since I owned the boat. I would like to see how others have done it.

My engine pan stays dry. The aft bilge water passes under it. My shower sump has it's own dedicated pan and through hull. This is all stock, I think. I'm guessing you guys are both plugged up under the engine pan. Get something long and jab from both ends.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Engine Pan picture & dry bilge questions

I think the dry bilge was one of the selling points at the time.
We saw and continue to see almost nothing coming from the engine. Normal drips when running the engine coming from prop.shaft stuffing box, and nothing from the rudder post stuffing box. Main bilge stays dry for long periods of time...we are often able to sail out and back in -- engine gets little use. We don't shower inside the head...too cramped and hot...shower sump rarely ever gets wet. Most showers on deck. Cold water and breeze = welcome coolness when it is often in the very high 80's low 90's for most of the day. When at the marina, showers ashore.
Attached is a picture of the current very shallow hole in the engine pan that drains to the main bilge. We are going to plug this hole up tonight, as soon as I find my dremel.
cheers
Bob

 

[Ed Schenck]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Did you see in "Owner's Mods" that Paul F. put two batteries in his shower sump? I saw that when looking for pictures trying to follow what you guys were writing about. Totally different from the H37C bilge.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Hey Ed...that sounds interesting...could you possibly supply a link? many thanks
Bob

 

[Ed Schenck]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Here's the link to all the H33 mods. Just to remind everyone that there is a lot to draw from in "Hunter Owner's Modifications". Including a post of your own. Just scroll down to "Batteries. . ." by Paul F.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=28&page=model&mn=33_77-83

 

[Stephen Trapani]

I have two banks ABOVE my shower sump

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

any possibility of a picture / drawing? I pulled my 2 engine batts from a step I had made above the shower sump today, removed the inlet pipe, removed the bilge pump, and the hose, and wire. Took the hose way above the waterline and plugged. Will take the 2 Trojan t-105's from under the head sink and move into the sump space. The Engine batts will be above them.
I'd love to see how you did yours?
many thanks
Bob

 

[Stephen Trapani]

I can take one this Saturday, the next time I'll be on the boat. Don't know if that will be soon enough. Basically I have two 6V sitting fore to aft in battery boxes right on the sump cover and then built a shelf about three inches above the top of the 6Vs and have the biggest CCA starting battery I could find at Costco sitting in a battery boxes aligned port to starboard. The shelf I put in lifts off and the upper battery tie down is attached to the fore side of the engine box. The only thing I don't like about the setup is the hassle involved in cleaning the sump pump. It does cause me to inspect my batteries more often though!

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

Yes, I know what you mean. I had built a 10" step above it, with a shelf for my 2 huge 12V CCA engine batts, so that I could access the sump bilge and clean out the sump (since even when it is bilged pumped out, it always leaves about a 1/2" of smelly water to air dry...I hated that and the smell). After 4 years of never having showered in the head or used the sump for the designed purpose, today I cut out the pipe from head to sump, glassed it on the sump side, and retired the shower sump. Pulled the pump out, pulled the hose out, corked it, and wound it up by the lazarette. I will place my 2 trojan T-105's that are under the head sink, into the sump, make them secure to the hull, then rebuild the shelf above them for the engine batts. I need to give it enough room so as to inspect the water levels in the trojans with a mirror, without having to touch the engine batts.
thanks for the ideas
Bob

 

[redhead78]

Re: Connecting Engine Bilge to Main Bilge thru Shower Bilge

hey all, my engine bilge is clean, only water in there comes from stuffing box, and when high enough pumps out, this is clean sea water.......Red