New 23 owner - Bilge pump question

[Wayne Steinhour]

I just bought a 23 late last fall, making us a 2 O'Day family (very old Javelin), so I will have lots of questions on getting ready for spring. Here is my first one.

Do I need a bilge pump on this boat? If so, manual or electric? The previous owner did not have one. He said they never had any water in the bilge, so he never saw the need. I'm thinking that it would be a good idea to have one to handle unforseen emergencies or problems. (I'm trying to be safety concious here. I am already paying to having a second reef put in my main to be better able to handle unexpectedly high wind.) When I looked up bilge pumps, I was surprised to see that electrics seem to be a bit cheaper than manual pumps. The electrics also have a much higher capacity. Anyway, I would be interested in hearing other people's thoughts.

Do I need a pump? Manual or electric? Where should it be mounted? What else should I know about it?

Thanks for your input. I am looking forward to using this boat, but I know I have lots to learn.

Wayne

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Regardless of what boat you have, I would consider a large capacity bilge pump to be in the same category as VHF, fire extinguisher, life jackets, hole plugs, anchor, etc... Each to his own.

 

[Joe11688]

I've had a manual bilge pump on my O'Day 222 for years Wayne. Fortunately, I never had to use it. I have it mounted in the Port quarter birth area with a hose going out the stern in between my swim ladder rungs. The pump can be operated in the cockpit with a detachable handle. The intake hose is in the bilge just aft of the keel under a sole plate. My pump was manufactured in Providence RI and I don't remember the brand name.
It's probably a good idea to install a bilge pump of some kind. The one time that you'll need it is when you don't have it. I keep buckets on board my boat too. You never know.

 

[HukilauMike]

I have a manual Whale bilge pump in my '79 Oday 23. It is most useful to take care of the water that gets into the bilge when it rains. I believe the 23 came with a bilge pump factory installed, mounted in the cockpit locker. I had to replace my "original" pump a few years back. The original mounting place is at the forward end of the big cockpit locker (the port side on my boat). In order to use the pump, you have to open the locker, and kneel down or bend over. It is an awkward system, and potentially dangerous system too. Imagine having to pump during a storm; you certainly wouldn't want to locker open at that point, exposing basically the entire hull to flooding. When replacing the original pump, I was going to remount the new unit as Joe has his: flush mounted against the interior of side wall of the locker, with only the (removeable) handle showing outside. Much safer and easier to use. However, lack of time and convenience of direct replacement got the better of me, and I just swapped out the old unit for a new one in the same location.

Manual or electric? Completely personal preference. If you don't get water in the bilge from deck or companionway leaks, then an electric might make sense. My boat does have these kinds of leaks and it I have found it impossible to keep the bilge dry no matter what I do. If I had an electric pump, I would have to replace or recharge my battery constantly. Not for me. To each his own. Enjoy the 23; its a great boat.

 

[Indysailor]

My 23 did not come from the factory with a pump that I can see. It's never had one and I did not install one last year, the first season we've had the boat. At most, mine gets a half inch of water in the miniscule bilge, even after heavy rains. There is no through hull below the water line on my boat, but some older ones might have one and that would be the deciding factor in my mind. If it has any through hulls, then I'd probably install an automatic one for the times when the boat is on the water by itself.

As an emergency measure, we do have a hand pump, but I am not sure it would do much good in a real emergency. I have a few buckets too, just to be sure.

 

[Wayne Steinhour]

Thanks for the input (and the pics). You have convinced me that I should get a bilge pump. I am thinking that electric makes good sense for me. The high capacity sounds good, and I like the idea that if I need it, I can flip the pump on and concentrate on handling the boat.

 

[Joe11688]

I think that electric is the way to go Wayne. I'm not at all sure that my manual bilge pump is still in working condition. I'll have to stick the intake hose in a bucket of water this spring and try it out.
Several years ago when I was replacing my cockpit self bailing hose in the bilge, I got stuck in the lazarett trying to get at the hose. Luckily I was able to wiggle my body out of that narrow opening. Then I smartened up and installed a deck plate in the center of my inside transom and that helped immensely in not only gaining access to the hose, but I was able to get at my gudgeons, and wiring. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one of those cheap plastic manual bilge pumps would also fit into that narrow area behind the deck plate. I have a book at the house that shows how to build a workable manual bilge pump,--out of wood, of all things.
Joe

 

[Amsterdam31]

Wayne, make sUre to wire it to an on off switch. Makes it easier. Safe sailing!

 

[Wayne Steinhour]

Thanks for the reply. I did buy a switch that has both manual and automatic positions so I can wire it into a float switch. Any tips on installation? I am planning to epoxy in a little square of plywood to the bilge (in the area just aft of the built-in cooler) so I would have something to screw the pump and float swith down to. I am planning to put a through-hull fitting on the port side as high above the waterline as I can get it for the pump outlet. (I've never installed a though-hull, so that could be interesting.) I was wondering whether I should install the switch for the pump in the cabin near the existing switch panel or out in the cockpit alongside the companionway for better access while sailing. What do you think?