Bilge Pump Advice - Pumping where no pump can be..

[woody001]

Hi,

Got a bit of a wet problem!

In the fore cabin, the bilge is always filling up with water, from the mast (keel stepped) Toilet, going for a wee when's it rough (!) etc etc

The problem is that under the sole/floorboard, I dont have enough room to even put the smallest bilge pump, also, water is trapped between the ribs in the bilge.

The only method I can think of is it have a diaphragm pump, connected to a long piece of hose; now what can I use? What type of pump?

2nd issue, is that because of the ribs, is it possible, one piece of hose, connected to a diaphragm pump can suck water from multiple locations?

I hope you understand what Iam trying to achieve?

Cheers

Simon

 

[FWB]

Why not drill Limber Holes in the Ribs to allow the water to settle in one place?

 

[woody001]

This has already been done; but because the floor is so flat, the water just doesnt move back. - I wonder what motorboaters do?
The main bilge it blocked of, keelbox is in the way.

Simon

 

[fluffc]

Diaphram pump sounds a good idea. If you are having multiple hoses you will need a diverter valve to select where to suck from.

Suggest one of the little hand pumps - a Gusher Urchin for example.

If you want an electric pump, then you could use one of the small 'bullet' pumps - eg http://www.gaelforcemarine.co.uk/ProductDetailsPage.aspx?product_id=18603

 

[Talbot]

I have one bilge pump sucking through a jabsco Y valve - seems to work ok.

Do you really need a permanent fix, or could a Jabsco handy boy do the job (from Force4 + other chandleries)

 

[FWB]

This sounds a bit like using a bucket to fix a hole in the roof! Is there no way you can stop the water ingress?

 

[woody001]

Thanks for your replys so far guys.

My boat is keel stepped - and these things always leak, very annoying. - When sailing, the wet clothes, etc etc, waves smashing over the deck, things get wet - she's a great boat to sail, but she's wet and fun. I could get the mast taken out again, but I dont want to. - We not talking about massive amounts here. - it's just flipping annoying. - I do have a manual pump, like talbot has sayed (cheers talbot), but iam getting fed up and lifting the floor and doing this.

Those little pumps are great aint they - amazing how much water they transfer.

Now, somehow, what I want is: -

A single electric pump (think we have this sussed)
But whats the best way for this pump to pick up from multiple locations? I need about 4 :-(

Thanks all -

Simon

 

[simonfraser]

if it's just water, use an in line electric galley pump, they are ? 5cm diameter
they will burn out eventually, cheap enough to replace ?

 

[woody001]

Good idea, cheap is always good..
>So how can i make this pick up from 4 different locations?

 

[michael_w]

A chum used a car windscreen washer pump to empty the aft bilge underneath his engine. Brilliant idea, cost all of £5.00 from a breaker's yard.

 

[fisherman]

How about a 12v pump for a domestic shower:

http://www.aladdinscaveshop.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=298

 

[mickshep]

Hi Woody. I had a problem with stopping the water coming down the mast into the forepeak on my old 5 tonner, I tried allsorts to cure without any success. Finally I covered the area around the mast/deck joint with a thick layer of a Sikaflex type sealent that was carefully smoothed to a thickness of about 4mm and masked with tape to give a nice even finish, I taped the wedges 1st to prevent the sealant from sticking to them too firmly. All this was done some 6 yrs ago and still 100% watertight whilst remaining flexible and looks fine, Not sure how clear description is, can go and take photographs next weekend if any help. Regards, Mike.

 

[simonfraser]

buy 4 !

 

[simonfraser]

i just had a quick look on internet, can't c them, the one i bought a few years ago was no bigger than, ehm, ah, got it, a small banana !
fitted in line worked off 12v, it can't have cost much

 

[simonfraser]

ere u go !

http://www.wilmond.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Pumps___Accessories_.html

one of them has a hose in connection, so you can put a bit of hose on to suck out the dregs

 

[Graham_Wright]

Whale do them.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Re: Getting the wet bits dry . . .

[ QUOTE ]
Toilet, going for a wee when's it rough (!) [ QUOTE ]


Try sitting down - my wife always does. Leaves it dry as a bone.

CJH

 

[charles_reed]

Keel stepped masts and leaks

The assumption that they ALWAYS leak is erroneous.

That they are very prone to leaking is correct.

Use a good collar (mine is moulded pvc) plenty of carefully-applied silicone sealant (to waterproof the collar interfaces) and tighten the clips (I used heavy duty cable-ties) after sufficient time for the silicone to part-set.

I can assure it's far more satisfactory to cure the leak, than to mop up (and my mast drains into the shower-tray).

If you want a source of the collar, PM me with a digital photo of the collar and some dimensions - mine came from Z-Diffusion - but Marilyn at Z-Spars UK might be able to help.

 

[Sea_dreamer]

I have the same issue so am working through this thread carefully. It is amazing how much water can come down the mast.

 

[Sea_dreamer]

Re: Keel stepped masts and leaks

I think the issue is not so much the collar, but that water comes down inside the mast. I know that that can also be sealed, but it is (I think) difficult to do retrospectively...