Cockpit drainage - 19
- Thread starter curioustraveler
- Start date
rbfconstruction
New member
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
Richard
PaulNBriannaLynn
New member
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.
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.
The bilge pump aft is set up so it will pump water out most effectively when the boat is run, with bow slightly up. At rest, a mid bilge pump Isi effective. Some are built with a small suction type of pump off to the side and a hose leading to the pump under a seat or galley counter.
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.
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
Active member
Hey Harvey,
Midnight Flyer (2007 22) only had the aft bilge pump. That is, up against the transom, center between the fuel tanks, in a little shallow sump area. I believe it was a 500 or 800 gph model with a separate float switch. I installed a second bilge pump in the same area, right next to the other one. But a bit larger, (either an 800 or 1100 gph model). It had an internal float switch. And I also wired it to a manual switch at the helm. There was no step at the cabin door on either side of the bulkhead. I thought about putting a pump in the front of the cockpit, and also thought about putting a pump inside the cabin, but did neither. C-Traveler has several bilge pumps. One that is automated under the closet on the port side, to drain the shower water from the starboard side head. That one also drained the original water heater, that I pulled out. Then there is also one under the step just inside the cabin door. That is both automated with an internal float switch and manual with a switch at the helm. And then a cockpit bilge towards the back of the cockpit, but in front of the water tank which is amidships and up against the transom, and sits in very shallow sump. That one too has an automatic internal float switch and also a manual switch at the helm. And I think is a 1100 gph. As I did in Midnight Flyer, I added one more bilge pump, nearby the cockpit bilge pump, but not in the small shallow sump, since there wasn't room. The spare I added was an 800 gph and has both an internal float switch, and a manual switch at the helm. I thought of mounting that spare in just behind the fuel tank, as I think I get some water that pools in there. However, I would also need to install an inspection/access plate in the floor there if I were to move that spare pump to that area. I also carry a manual pump and have a small 3 gallon pale if necessary. Colby
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
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
New member
Any suggestions as to whom makes a good one?
crowleykirk":1zq83imb said:
If you are looking for a good bucket, mine come from Costco with laundry soap in them :lol:
As to Bilge pumps, I am using, and happy with my Rule pumps; internal auto switch, NOT the ones that has sensors in it so it won't pump anything but water, and NOT the ones that come on every 2-3 minutes to check if there is resistance (sees that as fluid to pump) in the lines. That takes electricity right out of your battery -- dah :shock: :twisted:
I would (and did) put in the highest output pump I could find that fits in the space(s). Highly recommend that, and bilge pumps are not the place to skimp on $$$.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
