Electric Bilge Pump - Is it worth it ???

[AlistairM]

Given that I am of the opinon that if I wait for my small 12ft dinghy to stop leaking completly before I go afloat (freshwater - stored ashore) I will probably still be at this point for some time yet, I came up with the idea of fitting some bottom boards and investing in the smallest bilge pump and battery I could get and then pumping periodically when it got a little wet around the toes.

This way I would only have to wait a little while longer, to let most of the wood swell before I could go out. Is this a reasonable idea or are there going to be problems I havent thought of.

Thanks

 

[sarabande]

Why not sink it for a couple of days, and speed up the process ?

 

[Lakesailor]

When they launch the hire rowing boats in Bowness bay after winter storage they just let them sink to the gunwhales and then pump them out in turn until they stop sinking.

 

[mandlmaunder]

Sink in as much muck,slime and fine gooo as you can find ,this will put natural caulk into the seams.
as the material expand it will self seal.
Alternately take someone with you to enjoy the experiance and to bail.
Read the book "The Boat That Wod'tn Float", sorry cant remember the author.

 

[Peterduck]

Re: \"The Boat That Wouldn\'t Float\"

"The Boat That Wouldn't Float" is by the Canadian writer and environmentalist Farley Mowat. I haven't read it for about thirty years or so; I must try to find another copy.
Peter.

 

[Norman_E]

A few days before you launch it, give it a thorough soaking with a hose, and leave it with as much water in it as you can.

 

[Keith 66]

Dont fill it up out of the water or on a trailer, water is very heavy and i have seen several boats badly damaged & one written of by being left to fill up with a hose, it is better to put some old blankets in the bottom and wet those regularly.

 

[AlistairM]

Guess i will keep soaking for a vwhile yet then.

Thanks

 

[ValleyForge]

Not an uncommon problem. I suspect, like me, most folk just wear a pair of wellies....

 

[clyst]

Is it wood or GRP?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[oldfrank]

What sort of fairy wants to put an electric bilge pump in a dinghy?

 

[AlistairM]

I Know I know I know, its just I suppose I want everything just right before it goes out (swallows and amazons style i suppose). Maybe Im just living in a bit of a dream world hey ho I will keep on trying.

Thanks to everyone by the way, great respones, to what is probably a daft unrealistic question.

Thanks anyway