Where does the bilge water go?

[CloudDiver]

With my hull mostly cleaned out and getting ready to wash down the interior to clean up mold spores I started to wonder about where bilge water collects. The manual bilge pump intake was just laying in the port side of the under-liner. It was pretty long with no type strainer on the end, I'm assuming you can move the suction end to wherever in the hull bottom you would need it.
With all the dirt everywhere it was pretty obvious where standing water collects, mostly in the port side liner under the cockpit, just fwd of the port cabin seat. Because of the way the cabin liner and cockpit liners are in the hull it seems like there are several places water will collect.
I am going to get a new manual bilge pump that will go in the stock location but I have also considered an electric bilge pump with a float switch. So that begs the question, where should the suction strainer be? My understanding is that the 'low' point in the bilge when the hull floats on her lines is around the volcano and battery box.
What are your experiences with pumping out bilge water? Should I drill limber holes or add scuppers so that water does collect in one place?

 

[Chief RA]

I would drill for one low collection point and put one hose pickup there. My bilge setup is: one hose, with a manual pump at the exit and electric pump at the low bilge point. Remember, don't waste your money buying too large an electric pump as the hose size/attachment connectors dictate the max you can pump anyway. Buying too large a bilge pump is a common mistake made by boaters. Chief

 

[cjb300]

My 1974 model doesn't have a fixed bilge pump. When I do spring cleaning I take a hose and scrub brush to the inside and use my shop vac to evacuate the water.

 

[Chief RA]

cjb300: Just be careful if she is in the water and unattended! Thats the most common way these suckers sink. At anchor or tied to the pier. Chief

 

[CloudDiver]

I'll do the same for cleaning, but my question is more centered around where water collects if you take on water while sailing.

It seems to me because the way the cabin and cockpit under liners are made there is is no less than 3 seperate places.

My 1974 model doesn't have a fixed bilge pump. When I do spring cleaning I take a hose and scrub brush to the inside and use my shop vac to evacuate the water.

 

[CaptDon01]

The original C-22 and New Design versions "can" take on water from under the rub-rail if the calking has dried out and come loose when the boat is sailing and healed over. That was the only water I ever took in on our 1980 C-22, and after the rub-rail was calked, it never was a problem again. Swing keel models "can" take on a little water from the keel locking bolt if not greased, or if missing. Our MK-II has never collected any water in the bilge, even after taking a wave or two over the cabin. Cleaning out the inner hull occasionally with some soap and water with a damp rag or sponge never really got much water in the hull that a rag or sponge couldn't clean up. I test my hand operated bilge pump about once a year, but it's designed to keep the boat afloat, not to syphon the bilge dry. Call me lucky, but I've never had to actually use the bilge pump in all the years of sailing a C-22, and have never installed an electric bilge pump.

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Good thread and discussion. My 1980 has the original manual bilge pump - 35-years in the Arizona desert has probably rendered the the rubber diaphragm unreliable, at best. I'm in need of a replacement. Does anyone have a recommendation on a good manual bilge pump? I have never had any water in my bilge - I view the bilge pump more as a safety item, like life jackets - I hope I never need them; but I want them to work if I do! Suggestions / recommendations for a good manual bilge pump?

- Bob

 

[CaptDon01]

Bob, simple answer, check with Catalina Direct, they'll have the rebuilding kit you need for your bilge pump. No need to buy a new pump.

Don

 

[Barnacle_Bob]

Bob, simple answer, check with Catalina Direct, they'll have the rebuilding kit you need for your bilge pump. No need to buy a new pump. Don

Thanks Don - good advice. I also like your practice of testing the pump annually!

 

[CloudDiver]

My 30 year old pump looks pretty beat but it seems like its mostly oxidation on the plastic which is harmless. I believe the diaphram actually works and I'll eventuallly test it to check. I'm pretty sure I'll just get the diaphram rebuild kit from CD and new hoses. Kind of a shame to trow out the old hoses but they were full of dirt and mildew so I mostly got rid of them because of the lingering smell. Also, the outside plastic was all gummy. Instead of buying 'bilge water' tubing from marine suppliers, which is expensive, I'd recommend spa/pool water tubing which appears to be the exact same stuff from big box home store or hardware store, probably much cheaper.

 

[watercolors II]

A manual pump is the ticket!

Boats that have inboard engines are made to drip water around the shaft when the engine is running, the shower floor drains into the bilge. Refrigeration and air conditioning also sweat and drain into the bilge, so if you have a boat with any of these items installed you’ll need a automatic powered bilge pump.

A Catalina 22 with water in the bilge needs other issues addressed before you think about a bilge pump and then a manual pump is the ticket. Without shore power and electrical power conversion equipment installed on your boat, your single or dual battery setup could be drained in a couple days with an electric pump so what is the use?

 

[CloudDiver]

I was only considering an electric pump, but since the bilge water does not collect in one place, and as you pointed out there are no other real sources of consistent bilge water build up there is no need for one. Anything that gets into the hull I can handle with the manual pump, and that shouldn't be much. I'm not going to worry about limber holes to get all the water in one place, just move the suction end to wherever it is needed.

I'm young enough to pump by hand if I need to, and if I have enough water to pump that I get exhausted... well obviously I've got bigger problems...

Boats that have inboard engines are made to drip water around the shaft when the engine is running, the shower floor drains into the bilge. Refrigeration and air conditioning also sweat and drain into the bilge, so if you have a boat with any of these items installed you’ll need a automatic powered bilge pump.

A Catalina 22 with water in the bilge needs other issues addressed before you think about a bilge pump and then a manual pump is the ticket. Without shore power and electrical power conversion equipment installed on your boat, your single or dual battery setup could be drained in a couple days with an electric pump so what is the use?

 

[Chief RA]

Watercolors: a couple of days can save your boat! A small solar panel can extend that time by many days. SAFETY! EVERY summer we lose boats tied to the dock here at Bodega Bay Ca.. San Diego is not Pennsylvania! This man would be wise to install an electric pump if his boat is in the water unattended. Chief

 

[Time_Out]

In terms of removing the water from the bilge, what's that old saying? There's few pumps quite as effective as a scared man with a bucket on a boat that's taking on water. (Or something to that effect!)

 

[azguy]

I keep my 1988 C22 in a slip and put in a bilge under the sink as that appears to be the lowest point on the boat, I actually have a thru hull there for the sink discharge.

Then someone at the lake gave me another bilge and I put one behind the cooler step. I run a duel battery bank hooked up to shore power so I'm ready for any water intrusion but boat is super dry, never get a drop even after monsoon rains.

 

[watercolors II]

How safe is safe!

About 4 years ago, a friend and I went to the bay to help a friend ready his Hunter 34 for the sailing season, about 4 hours away.

Upon opening the hatch we found water about 4 inches above the floor and mildew up the walls and cabinets throughout. After hand pumping the hull dry we searched for the problems; the stuffing box was leaking too fast and the factory wire connection to the automatic pump was bad. **** happens.

 

[CloudDiver]

Local story in San Diego, a vintage wooden powerboat sank in its slip this weekend. A friend of mine lives aboard next door. No news on the cause yet but a stark reminder to keep an eye on all your systems and perform regular maintenace.

About 4 years ago, a friend and I went to the bay to help a friend ready his Hunter 34 for the sailing season, about 4 hours away.

Upon opening the hatch we found water about 4 inches above the floor and mildew up the walls and cabinets throughout. After hand pumping the hull dry we searched for the problems; the stuffing box was leaking too fast and the factory wire connection to the automatic pump was bad. **** happens.

 

[Chief RA]

Yep, service and regular maintenance is a must! That includes an electric bilge pump! Chief