H23 bilge access

[Heath]

Last Fall, I used a shop vac. with a length of skinny tubing to get the water out of my bilge through the little holes near the keel bolts. I wondered if anyone has ever installed a small deck plate in the cabin sole between the aft bulkhead and the keel bolt access. It seems like this would allow me to either install an electric bilge pump, or at least use a hand pump. Before I cut anything, I want to make sure this is the smart thing to do. Maybe there's a better way to pump out the bilge? I would appreciate any suggestions/experience. Thanks

 

[Mike Kenny]

Stop the leaks!

Last year, after I fixed a couple leaks in the cockpit drain system on my H23, I didn't get any water at all in the bilge. The boat was in the water from May through Oct., not a drop all season.In my case, the water had been entering from two open screw holes in the cockpit drain screen, the hose connection at the fiberglass tube from the cockpit drain and the thru-hull in the transom for the cockpit drain.I didn't find these leaks until I crawled in the lazarette with a flashlight and had my son hose down down the outside.Fair winds,Mike

 

[John]

install bilge pump

Like one of the previous writers, the solution was to fix the leaks. My leaks came from the hatch cover - especially where the wood stop is screwed on the acrylic slide panel. There was no problem after the repairs. Anyway, I installed a bilge pump under the table. First, I cut an access for the bilge pump and auto switch in the removable deck. Next, I ran the necessary overboard hose - you will have to cut a hold in the hull above the water line. I also installed a ball valve in the discharge line. I then fabricated a hinged cover to hide pump and switch.