H-34 Bilge Pump Outlet

[kloudie1]

Original bilge pump outlet (30 years old) broke this past weekend. Hose sagged down and bilge water was pumped aft to the stbd locker where it went on the floor and trickled back to the bilge then aft again. Picture is of broken fitting.. an old nylon one, I think.. I replaced with Marlon. Going into the pit is never fun ! Everything dried out well.. MAN ! I am glad we went there to wash her down over the weekend and caught this mess before it got out of hand and ruined the floor.

 

[markwbird]

Ahhh, Yes. The plastic thru Hull

Same thing happened to me. Like you, I was lucky in that I noticed it before it became a mess. I replaced the through hull with a stainless steel one and the hose with the stuff you use for the head instead of that cheap plastic ribbed stuff. So, how you do you like crawling down in that hole? I am considering making a nice, big access hatch from the aft berth through that plywood wall.

 

[kloudie1]

Yes, going to go with better hose too but not just now. That is on the list.. I agree, the stainless is MUCH better looking and about the same price as the Marlon was at West M. But they didn't have anything but Marlon or nylon..
Going to have to cut an access hole through the aft cabin bulkhead eventually, as Claude Auger and a few other folks have. I want to put in a tank clean-out and I think that would be a great way to access the tank top.
That hole is not easy for a fat boy (6', 260#) to get into !

 

[Dan Johnson]

Good Grief, Claude!

I'm a skinny old guy and I have a tough time getting into and out of the "dungeon"--how the hell do you do it!

Thought of moving the discharge fitting due starboard next to my AC pump discharge to lessen the "head" the bilge pump has to contend with and the amount of drain-back due to the failing factory check valve.

Give it some thought...

 

[wufibugs]

Interesting. I had to replace the plastic thru hull to the holding tank vent when it broke. Found the correct brass fitting on ebay. Convinced me to do the sink thru hull as well. On the 31, the bilge discharge is between the galley and dinette. You've pretty much convinced me to replace all the plastic there too. I was thinking of adding a second bilge pump with a discharge directly across the boat on the port side because it's relatively easy to route the hose.

 

[Allan12210]

Well those pictures look familiar! I busted mine off when climbing out of the basement when I hit it with my back. I changed things around a bit. I now feed that through hull (new) with a manual Whaler pump that lives in the same settee as the water heater. The hose goes through the Beckson port that provides access to the one keel nut. Since I eliminated my holding tank in favor of an ElectroScan, the tank vent through hull became available. I drilled it out and re routed the bilge pump to that outlet. I thought I would be reducing the run length and stop the pump cycling when the water runs back from the hose when the bilge is evacuated. Well, it didn't. So I am back to a check valve for now, although it is nice to pump that Whaler and suck the bilge down dry before locking up.

 

[Mark48]

Once you are in the pit it becomes a bit comfortable, nice, quiet and nobody bothers you. good to have a cell phone to call 911 if you can't get out. Great place for my son-in-law. Just kidding, but he does fit better than I do.

 

[kloudie1]

Laughing.. thought I might get some"pit" observations from the post.. Allan, I have a Whaler set up that can be pumped from the cockpit while driving.. but I have an air conditioner in the locker with the water heater.. so I can't do much in there.. My air cond pump discharge is directly under the bilge pump outlet, only it is about 4" above the waterline .. Judging from the dirt in the fracture face on the old Perko 301-6 fitting, it probably had been drooling a little for a month or so.. Since my air cond on "dehumidify" (on when I am not there) drains into the bilge, I really can't have that kind of water mess going on !

 

[a65sailor]

I'm 6'1 220 and had to change out the exhaust hose. Getting turned around down there is a pain. Made sure I had my cell phone in case I got stuck. I will now keep an eye on the bilge pump thru hull.

 

[splax]

6'1", 215#, and have gotten stuck for a bit. I remove the wine glass storage and put a microwave there which acts as a shelf for the cell phone to rest while I work down there. I think my bilge outlet is farther forward on the STBD side. I do plan to install a manual bilge pump, just not sure where. I saw where Chris has his on the sink base cubby, where I have a fire extinguisher. I might do something like that.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Claude, I laughed when I read your post late yesterday afternoon as I was just returning from the boat where I had to get in there for the 2nd time this Spring while commissioning for the season. I am much shorter than you guys, but have the same problems. I have found it is easier to climb out if I remove my belt before going in LOL !!!

 

[Dan Johnson]

I'm with Claude A...

First time I tried to climb back out of the "dungeon", my belt buckle hung up on the lip. Had to take off my belt down there first, then had my jeans pulled down when I did finally push up over the edge!

Reference Mark's comment--first time the seat lid fell back down I noticed the seat latch engaged and would have prevented me from getting out. Every time I go down there now, I first bungie the seat lid to the life line to ensure it doesn't fall down.

At 5' 9" and 190 pounds, I'm amazed that you tall guys can get down there and back out. I never go down there after a meal!!!

 

[wufibugs]

I made the same observation and arrived at the same solution as Dan about wind and latch and the possibility that my muffled cries for help might go unnoticed for a week or two. Funny though. Claude and Dan take off their belts while I have to cinch mine up like my grandmother's girdle.

 

[kloudie1]

Yup.. I don't wear a belt if going down there.. note jib sheet tieing lid open.. If I am alone, cell phone is on the little internal shelf so I could call for a fork lift and a quart of cooking oil ! No way I could turn around and get to the exhaust hose end!.. I did recently change the fuel return line to the aft of the tank.. that was fun too.

 

[Allan12210]

I have a wood stick (third world hood prop) that lives in that locker when it is closed. When opened, it is just right to hold the lid up and far enough away that I can't knock it out like a rabbit trap.

Fortunately I have a house neighbor who bangs on my door every MWF at 8:30 am to ride my bike with him at least 100 miles per week. That way I can still make it through the opening and down into the pit when needed.

 

[a65sailor]

Getting to the exhaust hose was an ordeal!! I had to get my feet in just the right spot and push my head past the cockpit floor. My back hurt for a few days after. Hope I don't have to do that again. I am glad I am not the only one that struggles with that damn hole.

 

[Richard Bryer]

The thing about that hole that bothers me the most is how much it shrinks each year!

 

[kloudie1]

One of my favorite additions is a remote battery watering system that allows me to just connect a hose and water the batteries simultaneously without having to go into the pit!
https://flow-rite.com/battery-watering/marine-rv/qwik-fill
They have a system for golf cart batts as well.. I am very pleased with the system after 8 years.. only problem I've had is algae growth inside the Tygon connection tubing which has required one disassembly and cleaning..

 

[heart of gold]

I've replaced every vent. Like you, my bilge outlet fell apart one day. I checked both shower outlet and head vent and they both fell apart in my hands as did the diesel vent, rear fresh water vent and main water tank vent. Okay, I'm finished venting.