Emergency bilge pump

[boatone]

Many moons ago when I was a raggy, one of my boats had a bilge pumping arrangement whereby a "Y" valve allowed you to switch the raw water intake to a bilge strum box instead of the sea. This was a very efficient way of pumping the bilges. Once the bilge was empty we just switched the valve back to seawater intake.

I am seriously considering fitting this arrangement on one, or possibly both of my intakes. Has anyone else got something similar? In the event of water ingress through the hull for any reason it would permit a much higher pumping rate than the average electric bilge pump!

 

[dash300]

Looks a very simple and thoroughly effective emergency system. One would have to monitor the bilge water levels to ensure there is sufficient for cooling and for impeller lubrication.

Always got the fall back of frightened man with bucket.

 

[No Regrets]

Not sure I can think of anything that would leak that much!

I have a manual bilge pump as back up to the auto one.

Maximum capacity: It depends how scared you are....

 

[apollo]

If I had that much water in the bilges I would change the boat...

 

[dash300]

If I had that much water in the bilges I would change the boat...

A little hard to do mid channel.

 

[No Regrets]

Not if the other one is self inflating

 

[dash300]

Not if the other one is self inflating

Touche

 

[No Regrets]

 

[boatone]

Touche

Sure you don't mean douche ?

 

[NorthUp]

It would be advisable to add a decent non- return valve to the bilge suction- sooner or later somebody will decide to have both valves open at the same time.

 

[boatone]

It would be advisable to add a decent non- return valve to the bilge suction- sooner or later somebody will decide to have both valves open at the same time.

My intention is to use a Y (diverter) valve rather than the setup in the drawing.
I have found some suitable valves which are used to divert toilet discharge to either sea or tank which appear ideal for the purpose. The valve would normally be set to the raw water intake and only moved to the bilge position when needed.

 

[dash300]

Sure you don't mean douche ?

Well quite.