I recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 27. I really like the boat with one exception. The bilge is so shallow that it spills water all over the main cabin everytime the boat heels over. Since the bilge pump leaves about an inch of water it seems that cleaning out the bilge everytime by hand is my interim solution. I am interested if anyone with a Hunter 27 or other model has solved this problem or has any ideas on how to attack it. Kevin
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Tim McCarty
Install an automatic bilge pump
They are a little more pricey than the typical float switch type, however, they kick on every two minutes and are generally pretty sturdy. My former boat was a much loved '82 h27 and I installed one of these pumps (I think it was a Rule 1100gph, but it might have been the 500gph unit...it BARELY fit). Draws very few amps. I never had a wet bilge again. Good luck...you've got a great boat.
They are a little more pricey than the typical float switch type, however, they kick on every two minutes and are generally pretty sturdy. My former boat was a much loved '82 h27 and I installed one of these pumps (I think it was a Rule 1100gph, but it might have been the 500gph unit...it BARELY fit). Draws very few amps. I never had a wet bilge again. Good luck...you've got a great boat.
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Benny
I ECHO TIM
I also use an automatic Bilge pump of 500GPH and have gotten away from daily bilge inspections and wet floors. You can get it at West Marine for approximately $50. It turns on every 2 1/2 minutes and measures resistance on the impeller. I find that once the back flow builds itself enough to about 3/4 inch it will expell the water out. Your boat bilge is larger than what you are looking at and usually holds a couple of gallons of water. The pump uses very little amps but since it cycles every 2 1/2 minutes it will use some battery power so some consideration must be given the condition and charging method of your battery bank. I'm hooked up to shore power and have an inboard charger so to me is no concern burt someone on a mooring away from the boat for weeks at a time may consider differently. The pump is not float switch dependant so it will work under any degree of heel or inclination.
I also use an automatic Bilge pump of 500GPH and have gotten away from daily bilge inspections and wet floors. You can get it at West Marine for approximately $50. It turns on every 2 1/2 minutes and measures resistance on the impeller. I find that once the back flow builds itself enough to about 3/4 inch it will expell the water out. Your boat bilge is larger than what you are looking at and usually holds a couple of gallons of water. The pump uses very little amps but since it cycles every 2 1/2 minutes it will use some battery power so some consideration must be given the condition and charging method of your battery bank. I'm hooked up to shore power and have an inboard charger so to me is no concern burt someone on a mooring away from the boat for weeks at a time may consider differently. The pump is not float switch dependant so it will work under any degree of heel or inclination.
Find the source
We've had our 1980 Hunter 27 for six years, and lived with water in the bilge till last year I discovered most of it was coming from the rudder post sleeve when we were underway. There are three bolts on this bronze coupling that needed tightening (use a 7/16-inch wrench or socket). It can be reached through the stern locker but it is not easy to see or get to -- I dropped two wrenches into the bilge before the job was done. You can get a good view of this coupling when underway through the starboard cockpit locker (take everything out and bring a flashlight). After I tightened these bolts we had a dry bilge most of the time -- a slight leak from the muffler gave us a little more water in the bilge (waiting for the UPS guy to arrive today with the new muffler that should solve this problem. The muffler job required removing the side panel next to the aft berth -- lots of screws but this is the best access for both the muffler and the stern post coupling). And occasionally a heavy rain will will cause some leakage through the deck rail. The bilge pump, controlled by a float switch, handles this easily. Also, we put a cork in the icebox drain so this no longer puts water in the bilge. We use a hand pump to empty this water into the sink. Regards, Jon Zaimes Felton, Delaware "Airwaves" at Cambridge, Md.
We've had our 1980 Hunter 27 for six years, and lived with water in the bilge till last year I discovered most of it was coming from the rudder post sleeve when we were underway. There are three bolts on this bronze coupling that needed tightening (use a 7/16-inch wrench or socket). It can be reached through the stern locker but it is not easy to see or get to -- I dropped two wrenches into the bilge before the job was done. You can get a good view of this coupling when underway through the starboard cockpit locker (take everything out and bring a flashlight). After I tightened these bolts we had a dry bilge most of the time -- a slight leak from the muffler gave us a little more water in the bilge (waiting for the UPS guy to arrive today with the new muffler that should solve this problem. The muffler job required removing the side panel next to the aft berth -- lots of screws but this is the best access for both the muffler and the stern post coupling). And occasionally a heavy rain will will cause some leakage through the deck rail. The bilge pump, controlled by a float switch, handles this easily. Also, we put a cork in the icebox drain so this no longer puts water in the bilge. We use a hand pump to empty this water into the sink. Regards, Jon Zaimes Felton, Delaware "Airwaves" at Cambridge, Md.
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Kevin Higgins
Thanks!
Thanks for the responses. I have actually taken both suggestions. I found a couple of leaks and fixed them which seemed to decrease the amount of water and also gone to an automatice bilge. Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the responses. I have actually taken both suggestions. I found a couple of leaks and fixed them which seemed to decrease the amount of water and also gone to an automatice bilge. Thanks for the help!
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Dan Bryant
Rule automatic pump and solar charger
The 2.5 minute cycle of the rule pump will slowly tax your battery if you leave it on... you can only go a couple months. I invested in a solar panel (unisolar) and it has been a good investment. It paid for itself in two years in extended battery life, not to mention the convenience of always being charged. Shop the internet for it - the mark up at West Marine and BoatUS was more than 100%; on the internet you can find one for about $100. Does not require a voltage regulator since its a trickle charge.
The 2.5 minute cycle of the rule pump will slowly tax your battery if you leave it on... you can only go a couple months. I invested in a solar panel (unisolar) and it has been a good investment. It paid for itself in two years in extended battery life, not to mention the convenience of always being charged. Shop the internet for it - the mark up at West Marine and BoatUS was more than 100%; on the internet you can find one for about $100. Does not require a voltage regulator since its a trickle charge.
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