Bilge pump for 16' Cruiser

jep111 · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject: Bilge pump for 16' Cruiser

My 1992 16' Cruiser did not come with a bilge pump, and I would like to install one. Where to put the pump is easy; but where does the outlet go? It seems that along both the port and starboard sides is foam, and I don't want to cut through the core at the transom.

I'd love to know how other owners have solved this, or if someone had a picture of where the thru-hull was installed at the factory (if bilge pumps were an option, that is!).

Cheers!

John

lloyds · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject:

you pipe the outlet up through the cable boot and out into the splashwell.

jep111 · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:52 pm Post subject:

I'm hoping there is some other alternative... the splashwell backs up just when I'm washing the boat. Maybe I just have to lay down and look at it some more.

Thanks!

lloyds · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:06 pm Post subject:

Where the tube would exit the boot is higher than the transom, shouldn't be a problem, mine never was.

rjmcnabb · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:31 pm Post subject:

Hi John,
I just looked and, for what it is worth, my 1999 16 cruiser has what appears to be a factory installed pump outlet on the port side, two inches below centre of the rub strip and four inches in from the stern (just about where the stern makes the transition from vertical to a forward slant.) I don't know if there are any changes in geometry back there between 1992 and 1999, but this puts the outlet just a little higher than the motor transom lip, and the bilge pump in a small sump at the very back of the cockpit floor. So, the hose run is short and the water lift is not very high (maybe 4ft. and 2ft.)

Rod

jep111 · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks for looking Rod!

I can't wait to get home and measure out where that will be...

What size pump is installed? 500 or 1100?

If you don't mind my being a pest, that is...

Thanks again!

John

rjmcnabb · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject:

ahoy jep111
Hi John,
I checked under the winter tarp; the bilge pump is 1100 gph. That doesn't mean a lot to me, but I guessed that the cockpit might be 4x5x2feet and rough calculation means that can (theoretically, LOL) clear 3-4cockpits per hour. Anything that bad would have be a very serious pooping! Shocked

Cheers.
Rod

jep111 · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Rod!

I agree that an 1100 should be serious enough... but if the factory went with it, it's good enough for me. That means I need a 1.125 thru-hull, so I'll get on that!

Cheers!

John

cbgale · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:12 pm Post subject:

"....but if the factory went with it, it's good enough for me."

Depends on who owned the factory and when.

C-Pup16 in Los Angeles · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:58 am Post subject: bilge pump

big wave, small boat... you want the highest capacity pump that's reasonable. I have a bilge tube running under the motor well and going through the hull . Screw the foam. If the boat is low in the water and inches away from sinking, why would you pump water into the motor well which makes sure it will be swamped? You want the water pumped out high so it is not sucking sea inside if the motor dies. You also want a square bucket.

Below Frigid · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:46 pm Post subject: Bilge Pump

I plumbed mine out the port side as well. It is pretty much a no brainer where you should put it. If you have room make a rise in the hose close to where it connects to the trough hull to stop water from coming back in should the exit drop below the water line on a big roll. Size! Bigger is definitely better. Small boats fill up fast. You need to get the water out fast since we can't use scuppers in these little C Dory's I had a 1100 gph in mine but if I were putting a new one in I would bump it up to something a little bigger.

Below Frigid · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject: Bilge Pump

Oh ya. Pumping into the splash well is a big no no. GET THE WATER OUT OF THE BOAT!!!!!! It could make the difference of making it out of a bad situation.

Noreaster · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:11 pm Post subject:

At the end of the color just forward of the transom on the port side, you can see the factory installed bilge outlet on my 2006 Angler. I replaced the factory 1100GPH pump with a 1600GPH Johnson pump. You want to get the water out as quickley as need be, into the splash-well ,not a good idea.

jep111 · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Nor'easter and all...

I had early on in this decided that the splashwell was a bad idea, and a kind brat had pm'ed me his pic of the port thru-hull.

Noreaster, your thru-hull looks like it is only a 3/4". I think that's a little small for 1600 gph... I've ordered a 1 1/8" thru-hull with a 90 degree bend.

Cheers!

John

jep111 · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Nor'easter and all...

I had early on in this decided that the splashwell was a bad idea, and a kind brat had pm'ed me his pic of the port thru-hull.

Noreaster, your thru-hull looks like it is only a 3/4". I think that's a little small for 1600 gph... I've ordered a 1 1/8" thru-hull with a 90 degree bend.

Cheers!

John