Automatic Bilge Pump in Westerly Centaur?

[jeffsnox]

I've been asking advice on the Westerly owners group about automatic bilge pumps in Westerly Centaurs... maybe they're right, but I'm not liking what I'm getting back from them, so thought I'd run it by you guys to see if you concur..

They've basically said that:

a) There's no point in having an auto bilge pump.

b) You shouldn't pump your bilges out at all cos you'll get prosecuted for putting oil in the water.

c) You can't fit an automatic bilge pump in a Westerly Centaur anyway.

Is that correct?

 

[Searush]

Sounds bolleaux to me.
a) My Pentland is dry as a bone so it would be pointless. Check out your prop gland. Centaurs should be watertight too.

b) Probably illegal, but it is so little oil I doubt you would be caught.

c) Why not? Put strum box & float switch under engine in the skeg where there is a deep sump. Need to decide if you want it permanently live - and therefore a fire risk (fuse it well). Or just for when you are aboard.

Final comment, if you do get a leak, pump can run until battery is flat and then boat will sink.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hmm not sure what answer you want but here's my two penny worth.

You might get proscecuted for pumping oil into the sea - certainly would in some parts of the world, however if your bilge is reasonably clean, you won't get proscecuted for pumping water out into the sea.

Why do you want an 'Automatic' bilge pump? Most plastic boats don't make much water (if any) and some have bilges you vacuum the dust out of instead of pumping. (Not true with our boat as the anchor locker drains into the bilge!) However an electic bilge pump might reasonably be fitted to any boat on safety grounds, and it would be a very odd bilge that didn't have room for some sort of float switch if you really want an automatic pump.

As it happens we have an automatic bilge pump in our (slightly bigger) Westerly, but I don't leave it switched to 'auto' ever. I would rather find out that the boat is leaking and turn it on manually while I search for the problem. Having it on auto means that I would have to notice that it was working occasionally and follow up the reason why. Having it on manual means I am likely to notice the leak!

Our boat stays on its mooring all summer and I never worry about it sinking for lack of an auto bilge pump!

Its your choice, but if you want to fit one, I can't imagine that its impossible.

 

[CPD]

Interesting for me this one. My penniesworth is as follows :

1. There is every point if that is what you want.

2. As far as I know all boats pump bilges overboard, so we all have the same issues. I do not imagine for one second that you would get prosecuted unless you were pumping significant quantites, which you wouldnt be unless you had extremely serious engine problems.

3. I am looking at fitting 2 x 2000gph pumps into my centaur and I am having installation issues although having said that, I havent looked at it that seriously yet. I was looking at putting one in through the cabin floor and the other under the engine. I have no idea why they say it cant be done.

Good luck with it and would like to keep in touch to see how you get on ?

 

[Bilgediver]

My Chieftain is dry too also there is insufficient clearance between the gearbox and the bilge sump in which to fix a pump on the Centaur.there is only just enough space to get a strum on the end of the hose.

I put an oil absorbent sock under the engine this season and it seams this soaks up oil and water which I presume evaporates from the heat of the engine when running as there is never any water there these days.

If you have a mysterious leak then check around the rudder tube fitting as the bolts securing to the hull loosen off and water can leak in which appears in the engine bilge after running down under the fuel tank.

Just need to drop the rudder, drop the tube and put fresh sealant to rebed the flange under the boat and fix it back in positiion.

 

[Guest]

What a load of rubbish ...

a) Why not ? Water can get in various ways ... even condensation collects over time. I have an auto pump (little Rule 500 with float switch sits under my main cabin sole board .. (My boat is not Centaur - but similar .. a Sunrider 25)

b) Not all bilges contain oil ... but it is true that even a sheen on the water is an offence in some countries ... ie. USA. If it happens accidentally - a quick squirt of fairy will disperse the oil ...

c) Why can't you fit one in a Centaur ? Seems a generalisation that is subject to extreme argument ! Of course it depends on where you want to fit it !

Comments ... I have a stanchion base that is fixed to my GRP moulded toe-rail ... it has cracked bolt-holes and water creeps under it .. it's a job that I've been dreading to fix ... but that water accumulates in a small locker to stbd of the engine bay ... then drains via the old engine bearer holes to the main bilge. I reckon I can get about 20 ltrs a year there ...
Add this to the stern-gland that I stop by grease ... but after a while starts it's drip drip drip saga ... add another 20 ltrs a year maybe ..

So Tupperware boats may generally be dry boats ... but water has a habit of finding a way in ...

As to preferring a manual pump to an auto ... my boat used to be left for months on end and I would prefer to have water pumped out automatically than find the boat "sunk !". As to flattening battery ... a reasonable smallish solar panel will replace what little the pump takes out .. as it will only run a short time when auto switch clicks in ... it's not as if it will be pumping tons of water !!

 

[jeffsnox]

Thanks again you lot /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CPD]

I may have some good news for you. A rule 2000gph bilge pump will fit (with a bit of modification to the cabin floor into the bilge hatch (slightly to port), which I think is a standard on Centaurs. I cant see the plumbing presenting any real difficulties, although note that this model is the round one which has no built in float switch.

 

[Bilgediver]

A rule 2000gph bilge pump will fit
.....................................................

Sounds like someone fitted an access panel ... Maybe this was standard on the late models as it was not on the earlier ones.. Chaka has Dinghy plugs under the tool box and in front of the loo for sounding purposes but they are non standard.

If you find water in there it would be interesting to know its source?????