Cockpit drainage - 19

joew · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:41 pm Post subject:

If you are going to leave any of the non self bailing models in the water where it rains frequently you are most likely going to want to invest in a cockpit cover. Money well spent. Whether a camper back or a slant cover, it will also make over nighting more pleasant. I was never comfortable relying on the batteries to keep the boat dry on my 22 Cruiser. On my 25 Cruiser, I've found the floor hatches leak like a sieve, so same same. Where there is shore power, less of a problem if your boat is so equipped. But having a cover equals a little more piece of mind.

One final comment. On my 22 I put heavy duty bar/kitchen mats down in the cockpit. Used them for 13 years. I picked them up at a restaurant supply store, cut them to size and never looked back.

JoeDub

joew · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 1:13 pm Post subject:

I should add one comment about the non self bailing models. Carry a bucket at all times. A hand pump is good for clean up, as well.

Back in 2000 when I had just purchased the first Betty Louise I was by Orcas Island solo fishing, drifting with the current. I was brand new to boating. Both engines off. Beautiful, sunny day, quiet, just the sound of the cormorants and gulls. Fishing in Paradise.

I looked over my right shoulder and could see that I was drifting backwards into a rip. Hmmm. Curious I thought. Did I mention I was brand new to boating? If you've never boated up here, a rip is where two fast flowing bodies of water collide, forming a sort of standing wave. Well, I drifted stern first into the rip and the rip sucked the aft starboard quarter of the Betty down enough so green water started breaking over the gunwale in a continuous flood into the cockpit.

Throwing my pole down, I ran into the house and tried to start the starboard engine. I had twin Honda 40's, carbureted. The starboard engine didn't start right up. Looking back at the cockpit from the helm, I could see water continuing to pour over the gunwale. Did I mention that the water around here can be many hundreds of feet deep? And that it's freaking cold? Really getting worried, I switched over the port engine. It started right up. Throwing the throttle forward, I scooted out of the rip and into clear water.

The cockpit had filled up to the bottom of the bulkhead door and I grabbed my bucket and bailed like hell, finishing up with the hand pump. The 1200 gph Rule bilge pump didn't make a dent against that flood.

I started off this note by saying that with the non self bailing models, you should carry a bucket at all times. The simple fact is that you should carry a bucket at all times no matter what boat you are on the water in. But on non self bailing models...

JoeDub

Chester · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:14 pm Post subject:

Wow! Close call.
Having learned to sail in the Columbia Gorge and gone out in all conditions I arrogantly thought I knew something about waves.
The first time I got into the Point Wilson tide rip I may have said 'oh poop' or something similar, I did learn a valuable lesson though.

The Gorge

thataway · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 9:52 pm Post subject:

rbfconstruction · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:03 pm Post subject: cockpit drainage

My 2006 19 (currently for sale) only has the auto/Manuel bilge pump at the very back of the deck with a slightly lower well that it sits in. Water would have to get pretty tall for the "auto" to kick in. They are set up for that reason. Don't worry, Your boat will be fine.

Richard

PaulNBriannaLynn · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:53 am Post subject:

There's a bit of a maintenance routine when our boat is moored. Our latest 22 has a single pump under the motor bilge, and when it's clean it works very well. What happens though is debris, leaves, fishing line, etc. gets washed back into the bilge during rain events and when I'm washing down after returning to the dock. I find that the screen on the pump gets clogged and than the pump no longer works worth a darn. This requires me to get down and manually clean everything out every week or two while the boat sits at our dock. It's not a big deal, its just something I've gotten accustomed to doing.

We have taken a large wave over the transom in Saratoga passage in the Puget Sound on our previous 22. This boat had a single bilge pump in the step below the door. Spot shrimp season was closing within the hour, and a gale had unexpectedly picked up causing some of the roughest conditions I've ever boated in. Not wanting to be fined by fish and wildlife for having gear set outside of the legal window, we chose to brave it and retrieve the weighted pots. A big wave came over the transom resulting in 8-10 inches of water in the cockpit. It was frightening at the time to say the least, but the boat handled it fine, we still had plenty of freeboard left as the pump did its thing and baled the water out. I had turned the bow into the waves for safety as it pumped out. Not something I'd like to experience again but the boat proved itself relatively seaworthy. I don't think not having scuppers is really an issue, but keeping that bilge pump clean of debris, the wiring in good shape, and tested regularly is important. And I'll echo what was already said about bringing a bucket. We always have one, which has many uses, but can invaluable in case of emergency.

thataway · Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:49 pm Post subject:

Alan · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:42 am Post subject:

And consider taking a manual pump with you as a backup.

Hey, you never know....

Scuppers · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:27 pm Post subject:

I had no idea how lucky I am. My 2008 A 19, in which I added a small solar panel to charge my dual battery bank (divided house/starter with engine relay), automatically pumps from the back bilge. Even after a very heavy rain, I have never seen more than a half inch of water under the floor panels.
Sometimes, after a very heavy rain, I will stand on the swim platform, and the pump will run for two minutes, completely emptying the boat, but I know it pumps from time to time, I have looked out in the rain and seen it pumping.

IMHO, you need at least 800 GPH bilge pump, working and tested, before you go on the water. I have seen several people adding capacity and redundancy with a second pump, and I am thinking I agree.

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 4:07 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 6:43 am Post subject:

Yes, a Bucket for sure. You get extra points (and use efficiency) IF your bucket has a square or rectangular shape --> = more flat surface to pick up water with.

Plus points for checking and cleaning the bilge pumps. I think the largest Rule that will fit under the cabin door step is a 120GPH. Mine under the splashwell is a 1500 or 1600GPH. It was the largest I could get that had the internal switch, would fit into that space and it has (I think) a 1.5inch output hose.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

crowleykirk · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 3:55 pm Post subject: Sloped back cover

Any suggestions as to whom makes a good one?

hardee · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 12:50 am Post subject: Re: Sloped back cover