H26 Bilge location

[CaptainRan]

This is probably a question for Crazy Dave. It appears to me that the bilge pump location in the rear berth is higher than the main cabin floor. I would think that the best location would be roughly in the lowest part of the boat (excluding the ballast). If that is so then I assume the main cabin will be underwater before the bilge pump kicks in, yes?

 

[Thaniel]

And the "bilge" pump sits on top of a small rise so it's not even at the lowest point in the aft berth which leaves quite a bit of water after it runs. And on my boat the exit point for the Bilge is far away near the sink and quite high so a good amount of liquid it pumps out flows right back in when it stops (I've seen the location of the exit is different on other years. No idea how that affects things). I'm thinking it's more of an emergency pump than a pump to keep the bilge dry. If that is the case a little extra water here and there won't make much difference.

 

[CaptainRan]

So is it true then that then that the floor will be completely covered with water before the pump kicks on? Maybe a better place might be under the sink or in the forward storage locker aft of the V berth.

 

[Thaniel]

Cant Say the floor would be covered or not. But even if the bilge pump isn’t running there can still be water to mop up under the access hatches. And I wouldn’t leave any water as then comes mold and mildew. The side, under the dinette seats, and far aft storage doesn’t appear to have connection to the bilge pump area. At least on my boat. It had a bunch of rain water in the side storage when I bought it and only way to get it out was mopping it up. Basically I would not rely on the bilge to keep the boat dry from leaks. It there is a catastrophe which gets covered first the bed or the cabin floor is academic . And that pump is probably way too small to be useful for that anyway. Seems it has no good purpose to me. Perhaps someone else has found it useful?