I have a very shallow bilge in the engine compartment and the main cabin, I currently have two bilge pumps. One pummp with a float ( the larger of two) the other is a smaller rule submercible in the engine compartment that just does not remove the water until it is almost flooded onto the cabin sole. What can I use to handle the shallow bilge problem.
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use a electric contact switch instead of a
Mechanical switch. I have a solid state switch on my boat with a contact wire, when water hits the wire, the pump turns on. Also, use a thin, short hose for the non-emergency pump, that way back wash will be smaller.
Mechanical switch. I have a solid state switch on my boat with a contact wire, when water hits the wire, the pump turns on. Also, use a thin, short hose for the non-emergency pump, that way back wash will be smaller.
Where is the water under the engine coming from?
Franklin's right. The 'bilge' under the engine is there to capture oil leaks... you don't want to have an automatic bilge pump in that area unless you want to look over the side and watch your engine oild spewing out. Murphy's Law holds that it will happen just as the Harbor Patrol goes past. Have you checked your stuffing box? That also might drain into the engine bilge. If there is enough water to fill it, you probably need to tighten or service the stuffing box. Cheers, Bob
Franklin's right. The 'bilge' under the engine is there to capture oil leaks... you don't want to have an automatic bilge pump in that area unless you want to look over the side and watch your engine oild spewing out. Murphy's Law holds that it will happen just as the Harbor Patrol goes past. Have you checked your stuffing box? That also might drain into the engine bilge. If there is enough water to fill it, you probably need to tighten or service the stuffing box. Cheers, Bob
Mine is self draining
I have a 1983 H34 and in my engine bilge there is a 1/8" hole at the low point that allows water to drain out. The hole is so small that it doesn't let oil go thru it. If I have oil and water in the bilge the oil floats on top of the water. Once the water has all drained out and the oil touches the hole, it stops draining. Guess this is due to the thickness of the oil. When I first bought my boat used, there was a lot of crap in this hole and I didn't even know that it was there. My engine bilge used to fill to the brim with water from a leaky stuffing box. I used a tiny pick to find the hole and clean it out. Once that was done all the water would drain without a problem. I do also use one of those absorbing pillows Ross is talking about.
I have a 1983 H34 and in my engine bilge there is a 1/8" hole at the low point that allows water to drain out. The hole is so small that it doesn't let oil go thru it. If I have oil and water in the bilge the oil floats on top of the water. Once the water has all drained out and the oil touches the hole, it stops draining. Guess this is due to the thickness of the oil. When I first bought my boat used, there was a lot of crap in this hole and I didn't even know that it was there. My engine bilge used to fill to the brim with water from a leaky stuffing box. I used a tiny pick to find the hole and clean it out. Once that was done all the water would drain without a problem. I do also use one of those absorbing pillows Ross is talking about.
Thanks to all who responded. I use absorbing pillows under the engine bilge, and I agree with you Bob that the stuffing box is probably the cure of the excess water, I havent re-packed lately.
Two pumps with a elec switch
I have a hand pump that sucks almost dry but my elect pump leaves alot of water so i droped in a small pump with small hose like others have said now i have two small pumps back to back ,one pump pushing the water out of the bilge and the other sucking from the down side of the tube so the water will run out .All three pumps are on one switch . works good on land but the boat is on the hard and i cant test it to spring. John
I have a hand pump that sucks almost dry but my elect pump leaves alot of water so i droped in a small pump with small hose like others have said now i have two small pumps back to back ,one pump pushing the water out of the bilge and the other sucking from the down side of the tube so the water will run out .All three pumps are on one switch . works good on land but the boat is on the hard and i cant test it to spring. John
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