sutton sailor
Well-Known Member
I have recently bought a MG Spring 25, which has a shallow bilge. Can any one advise me on a suitable bilge pump and switch that will work well in a shallow bilge.
Shallow bilges
- Thread starter sutton sailor
- Start date
wiggy
Well-Known Member
I can’t recommend a pump but I can say well done on your purchase, I had an MG Spring for 7 years fantastic boat, hope you have as much fun as I did.
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I have used one of there Whale Pumps Strum Box Strainer with Non Return Valve in my shallow bilge with a disphram pump either hand or electric.
lw395
Well-Known Member
You should be drying the bilges of such a boat with a quick wipe with a J-cloth.
Bilge pumps should only be needed in a crisis.
Bilge pumps should only be needed in a crisis.
Graham376
Well-Known Member
Whale Supersub auto/manual is good for shifting small volume of shallow water but not suitable as only pump for serious pumping - Whale Supersub Smart 650 Pump 12v D.C. Gael Force Marine
Robin
Well-Known Member
+1 bilges are for collecting dust, water iss upposed to stay on outside., If sinking, the 'true 'bilge is not shallow anymore
sutton sailor
Well-Known Member
Unfortunateley the prop shaft has a stuffing box which should be regularly be dripping greasy water and if it is not removed will be causibng a mess.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
Disposable nappies are your friend then. Note if your boat requires a change of a 1-3 month old size per 36 hours motoring then ok, but if you have having to borrow your incontinent old Mum’s one then your shaft needs restuffing.
No need to let it get anywhere near the rest of the bilges.
sutton sailor
Well-Known Member
I have Whale super sub automatic pump, and I know that pump requires at least 2" of depth before it will pump, which will be fine to leave installed as an insurance policy when the boat is left unattended. I think I will have to go with a Jabsco water puppy which is self priming. If I can;t find a suitable auto switch That will switch on at shallow depths, I will have to use a standard switch and monitor it manualy to get the level right down. Does any one know of a switch that will switch on at shallow depths?
sutton sailor
Well-Known Member
Thanks RupertW, I will give the nappies a try.
lw395
Well-Known Member
Build a little bulkhead in front of the stuffing box to contain the dripped water.
A bit of ply cut to shape and glued in place with polyurethane sealant perhaps?
The water is then easily collected with a sponge or similar.
Another useful thing is a large syringe, suck up the water where it gathers, without getting your hands wet or dirty.
It's worth separating the shaft seal area from the 'under the engine' area in this way, as any water under the engine inevitably collects a little oil and spreads it around the bilge.
Another trick is to cut a plastic tray to fit under the engine and another one under the shaft seal. Our boat has a cat litter tray under the engine, it fits just nicely between the bearers.
A bit of ply cut to shape and glued in place with polyurethane sealant perhaps?
The water is then easily collected with a sponge or similar.
Another useful thing is a large syringe, suck up the water where it gathers, without getting your hands wet or dirty.
It's worth separating the shaft seal area from the 'under the engine' area in this way, as any water under the engine inevitably collects a little oil and spreads it around the bilge.
Another trick is to cut a plastic tray to fit under the engine and another one under the shaft seal. Our boat has a cat litter tray under the engine, it fits just nicely between the bearers.
oldmanofthehills
Well-Known Member
If you sleep aboard make sure its an autopump with a level sensor not one with a load sensor that tries to pump every ten minutes then shuts off again if no water - after waking you up
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I have a boat that gets water in the bilge ... and I have a float operated bilge pump .... old boat etc.
I used to have the Waterwitch solid state switch ... but it lasted about 4yrs and then just failed ... so now I live with the flappy floater switch !
I have never found a pump or fitting that gets the last lot out ... so my Pela does that !!
I used to have the Waterwitch solid state switch ... but it lasted about 4yrs and then just failed ... so now I live with the flappy floater switch !
I have never found a pump or fitting that gets the last lot out ... so my Pela does that !!
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
Wet and dry Vacuum cleaner will get the last drop of water from my bilge recessed/sump collection points.
Graham_Wright
Well-Known Member
lw395
Well-Known Member
If you don't want your boat to be manky, you need to get serious about keeping the rain out when you're not using it.
Yes some water gets below on your boots and clothing when you sail in any weather, but only very rarely enough to pump, unless you are pushing your luck.
Yes some water gets below on your boots and clothing when you sail in any weather, but only very rarely enough to pump, unless you are pushing your luck.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
You might look at a small battery hand pump as used for dinghies or a small brass one used for engine stuff . We carry a brass one as useful along with sponge for removal of water ingressed when having removed log paddle wheel for cleaning or when one of your freshwater pipelines connectors breaks and you have flushed your bilges out with drinking water.
V1701
Well-Known Member
What goes around comes around, I'm just about to install one of the Waterwitch switches instead of one of the flappy ones!
For the OP though, as others have said with a modern flat, shallow bilge your best bet is nappies to keep the small amount of manky water at bay. Plus an auto bilge pump set up of some sort for when the boat's unattended if you want...
Robin
Well-Known Member
dripless shaft seals help greatly on shallow bilge boats
Bobc
Well-Known Member
Next time you have the boat out of the water, replace the stuffing box with a Radice drip-less seal.