O'day 22 bilge

[repawn]

OK - I have read a lot about the bilges on O'day 22s but have a question regarding mine - it is the 1973 model so what I have is a small round opening in the cabin sole for checking and I assume pumping it out - it only appears to go about 8-10 inches down. The only real drain on the boat is in the cockpit - and it goes directly out through the transom - I do not have the hose that some newer models have that drains down and then out - outside of the sink I do not appear to have any other thru-hull fittings.

So, my questions - Is there a way for the bilge to drain other than pumping it out? How far back, deep, etc is the bilge? For owners of this model, what are you using for pumping the bilge (I have a hand held Thirsty-Mate.) To clarify - I have dampness in the bilge but no standing water.

The boat requires some work to patch more than one leak - at one time someone thought this would be a fine fix for the stanchion:

 

[Brian Schwerdt]

OK - I have read a lot about the bilges on O'day 22s but have a question regarding mine - it is the 1973 model so what I have is a small round opening in the cabin sole for checking and I assume pumping it out - it only appears to go about 8-10 inches down. The only real drain on the boat is in the cockpit - and it goes directly out through the transom - I do not have the hose that some newer models have that drains down and then out - outside of the sink I do not appear to have any other thru-hull fittings.

So, my questions - Is there a way for the bilge to drain other than pumping it out? How far back, deep, etc is the bilge? For owners of this model, what are you using for pumping the bilge (I have a hand held Thirsty-Mate.) To clarify - I have dampness in the bilge but no standing water.

The boat requires some work to patch more than one leak - at one time someone thought this would be a fine fix for the stanchion:

<img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=78797"/>

Ouch what a "repair"! Looks like some of the stuff around my boat.

I actually made the bilge access hole bigger and use a hand pump to drain it out. I pump the water into the cockpit and let it drain out the transom.

 

[pfschmid]

I installed a larger opening and an automatic bilge pump. The hose from the pump runs through the back of the cabin sole and out a starboard side thru-hull. I've been thinking about installing a backflow preventer in that line to keep the head from the drain hose draining back into the bilge.

 

[repawn]

Ok - for those that enlarged the bilge hole - how big did you go? Did you have to put a hatch cover over it - mine is right were you step into the cabin.

 

[Brian Schwerdt]

I made mine about 4x6", just enough to get my hand in there. I played with a pump, but haven't taken the time to connect it to a through hull. It is where you step into the cabin. I keep my cooler there, wedged under the cockpit floor. It sticks out enough to cover the hole, but not to much to get in the way.

 

[pfschmid]

I went to an 8" diameter screw in port. It is strong enough stand on.

 

[repawn]

I have been letting the boat dry out the last few days and decided to wet vac the bilge tonight - I was expecting I would have to empty the vacuum a few times - but as it turned out - I only pulled may a 1/2 cup of water (it mixed with the dirt in the vacuum and you couldn't even tell it was wet.)
I am sure there is water further down - but I shoved the hose as far forward and aft as it could go - I guess with the way the bilge is set up on this boat there really isn't any way to get deeper.

I finally had a helper to pull the messed up stanchion in my earlier post - as it turned out I was able to unbolt it my self with my hands. the hardware used was ridiculously undersized and here is the results of that:


I have a bit of work to do to repair this mess - luckily it only shows as the screw holes on the underside - however the fiberglass is just floating there on a bed of caulk as far as I can tell. Anyone have a guess as to what thickness of marine ply I should use to replace the core?

 

[Picflight]

Cut out a rectangular section of the broken and rotted core. This will reveal the cross section of the core to measure the thickness and repair.

 

[Brian Schwerdt]

Anyone have a guess as to what thickness of marine ply I should use to replace the core?

I'm still working on a total re-core of my boat, and when I pulled out the original core, I measured it to be 3/8". It was end-grain balsa, not plywood. I wouldn't recommend ply because it will wick water horizontally. I actually bought a polypropylene honeycomb core, and it was really easy to work with. I have a good amount left over. PM me with measurements of your repair area, and I may be able to mail you a piece the right size.

I have a thread on my work here: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=143110

 

[kpgraci]

I use a manual pump to drain the bilge, but if and when you fix any deck leaks there should never be any water in the bilge. That's hard to actually accomplish. I bought a 6 inch cover and planned to enlarge the hole but never did. FYI the bilge holds about 10 to 15 gallons.