I'm not sure if this also applies to other Hunters but our 40.5 has a very deep bilge which presents a problem I'm not sure how best to deal with. Although it is almost dry all the time, the remaining inch or two which inevitably collects there has me worried that, over the long term, may contribute to corrosion of the SS keel bolts. I can live with that by periodically emptying the bilge with our wet-dry vacuum, however, therin lies the problem - the PO installed a one- way valve, commonly referred to as a back flow preventer, to prevent bilge water remaining in the hose from returning to the bilge after the pump shuts down. I am aware of the danger of having this valve in the bilge line but don't know what else to do to minimize the reverse flow and was wondering what others have done. Is it worth the potential trouble this valve may cause to leave it in line? Don S/V Illusion
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Two bilge pumps?
Don: Have you considered adding a second bilge pump. Mount the second pump a few inches higher than the primary one. If your primary pump ever plugs or fails the secondary higher pump SHOULD take over. As far as keeping the bilge dry, I suggest you keep doing what you are doing. The main things is to be sure that you do not seal the stainless steel bolts from coming in contact with air. This will cause the bolts to corrode before the sea water will. Where is your water coming from (stuffing box?)? If it is why don't you go to a shaft seal.
Don: Have you considered adding a second bilge pump. Mount the second pump a few inches higher than the primary one. If your primary pump ever plugs or fails the secondary higher pump SHOULD take over. As far as keeping the bilge dry, I suggest you keep doing what you are doing. The main things is to be sure that you do not seal the stainless steel bolts from coming in contact with air. This will cause the bolts to corrode before the sea water will. Where is your water coming from (stuffing box?)? If it is why don't you go to a shaft seal.
Beautiful Boat, Don
Agree with Steve, just do what you are doing. What's the problem with the one-way valve? I have a PSS shaft seal on my 40.5 and I have little to no water in the bilge. I doubt you have a problem, even over the long-term. Check with Hunter regarding the keel bolt concerns. Rick D.
Agree with Steve, just do what you are doing. What's the problem with the one-way valve? I have a PSS shaft seal on my 40.5 and I have little to no water in the bilge. I doubt you have a problem, even over the long-term. Check with Hunter regarding the keel bolt concerns. Rick D.
Tnx for the replies
Good suggestions. I did install a secondary 2000 gph bilge pump as one of the first things after buying the boat but that only pacified by paranoia about pump failure; I still have this not quite negligible amount of water remaining which, in answer to your q, appares to be coming out of the bilge pump hose as a slow leak past the one-way valve which traps about 2 feet of water above it. Compounding the problem is the fact that the lower pump is in the forward portion of the bilge which is the highest part. Given that the boat is subject to freezing wx in the winter, I guess I'll have to rely on the wat-dry vac and add to the winterization list emptying the bilge pump hose above the valve. Thanx for the replies and advice on the keel bolts Don
Good suggestions. I did install a secondary 2000 gph bilge pump as one of the first things after buying the boat but that only pacified by paranoia about pump failure; I still have this not quite negligible amount of water remaining which, in answer to your q, appares to be coming out of the bilge pump hose as a slow leak past the one-way valve which traps about 2 feet of water above it. Compounding the problem is the fact that the lower pump is in the forward portion of the bilge which is the highest part. Given that the boat is subject to freezing wx in the winter, I guess I'll have to rely on the wat-dry vac and add to the winterization list emptying the bilge pump hose above the valve. Thanx for the replies and advice on the keel bolts Don
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