SC500
Well-Known Member
Having read the threads concerning the level of insurance cover should my boat sink on its mooring, and being insured with Haven Knox Johnson it does give some cause for concern should the boat take on water due to failure of sea cocks, prop glands or other bits. I maintain my boat to a pretty good level, servicing all routine items and checking hoses periodically, in fact when recently servicing my Volvo 63P’s I was advised by a friendly marina manager to check the raw water hoses from the heat exchanger to the rear mounted oil cooler as apparently these are prone to fail where they cross the rear engine mounting bracket due to interference. Low and behold when I checked the hoses on both engines were nearly worn through. Point is I check all hoses and missed these as the damage can barely be seen unless you are looking for it, to see the full extent of damage you have to remove the hose. Had they have split it would have been a major engine overheat problem pretty quickly, with all the consequences. So I guess we are all at risk unless the engine power train is known throughout.
This has made me think that prevention is better than cure and I now want to install a bilge water warning system working either independently of the bilge pumps or with them. Should the pumps activate for a given length of time continuously or water were to rise to a pre determined level in the bilges I would receive a message alert via email or phone to say water is there and rising. At least this would give the opportunity to deal with it pretty swiftly.
I see on the web there are various systems available doing just what I want, has anybody installed one of the systems and able to provide some feed back before I purchase, also whether the systems independent of bilge pumps are preferred? All comments appreciated.
PS Anyone with Volvo 63P’s should check these hoses periodically. When replacing mine I fitted a protective piece around the hose locally to prevent this from happening again.
This has made me think that prevention is better than cure and I now want to install a bilge water warning system working either independently of the bilge pumps or with them. Should the pumps activate for a given length of time continuously or water were to rise to a pre determined level in the bilges I would receive a message alert via email or phone to say water is there and rising. At least this would give the opportunity to deal with it pretty swiftly.
I see on the web there are various systems available doing just what I want, has anybody installed one of the systems and able to provide some feed back before I purchase, also whether the systems independent of bilge pumps are preferred? All comments appreciated.
PS Anyone with Volvo 63P’s should check these hoses periodically. When replacing mine I fitted a protective piece around the hose locally to prevent this from happening again.
