Bilge water

[Dougie_the_Mate]

When Calandra had her new engine fitted, the guy who did the job found that the pipe from the bilge pump would not fit under it as the was the case with the old one. I moaned at him until he replaced the old pipe with a new piece of wire tubing which went round the front of the engine and down into the bilge.

Calandra is a fairly dry old girl and there is only a small collection of water under the engine itself. In order to pump it it is necessary to hold the end of the pipe into the water - not an easy task when on one's own. I asked him about it and he said that I could buy a fitting which would fit on to the end of the pipe and sit permanently on the floor, therefore under the water.

I have looked at various chandlery catalogues and even asked at Rhu, but was told there is no such a thing. I feel if I put a thinner and more flexible tube inside the main pipe and sealed it this might work.

Any thoughts - anyone?

 

[StanFolds]

You need a strum box.
http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/search.bh...p;x=43&y=13
Stan

 

[KenMcCulloch]

What you need is a strum box or possibly one like this.

 

[lw395]

Where is this water coming from?
If its possible to keep it separate from the area under the engine, you can avoid pumping the inevitable oil from the motor into the sea. This can get you in trouble in some places.
I used a shallow rib across between the engine bearers at each end. This is just enough to separate the water from the shaft seal etc from the few drops of oil under the motor. This little bit of oil would go a long way when mixed with a pint of water.
On another boat a plastic tray sold for cat litter fitted exactly under the engine to catch the drips!

 

[Finbar]

The strum box is normally screwed down- it is therefore good practice to glass a small piece of marine ply to your bilge floor, which is usually the hull, rather than risk screws through the hull.

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

Thanks for this guys - it looks exactly the job.