[Rhodes22-list] bilge pump

[Bill Effros]

Rick,

We try to put our replies on top where they are more likely to be read.

If you are heeling that far you are going slower than you would go if your boat were upright. 

In my view, bilge pumps on boats like ours are dumb.  If the pump is large enough to pump the water uphill in reasonable quantity it won't take the amount of water you are dumping into the bilge, out of it--there won't be enough water.  If you want it to pump out your boat if something happens while you're not in it, it will drain your dinky batteries, and then your boat will sink.  But not to the bottom.  Then you can try to deal with the problems you would have had anyhow, plus the problem of dead batteries.

If you would like to add more problems, and new holes to your boat, get bilge pumps.  You won't be disappointed.  You can worry every time you leave the boat that a stuck switch drained your battery and will ruin a good sailing day.

These boats won't sink.  The leaks are sponge quantity.  If you're taking on water because of the way you're sailing the boat, it's time to think about the way you're sailing the boat.  Don't put water in the tank if all you're doing is spilling it into the bilge.

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: RICK CENTALONZA 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] bilge pump


on 7/16/04 11:24 AM, Gardner, Douglas (LNG-DAY) at
douglas.gardner at lexisnexis.com wrote:

> Rick, 
> 
> I'm sure you'll get some good responses.  We've had extensive discussion
> on this in the past, and several excellent approaches.  I particularly
> remember MJM's approach (multiple bilge pumps in various locations) and
> Roger's (he made a well in front of the centerboard trunk).
> 
> I can only give details on mine.
> 
> For mine, I went the easy way.  I have a cheap electrically operated bilge
> pump w/ a float switch under the floor of the head.  It is directly wired to
> the battery, with a fuse inline.  Therefore, it is NOT disabled if I have
> the battery switch in the off position.
> 
> The hose runs into the galley area and up to the hull-deck joint, where it
> turns back with a vented loop and then back down to tie into the sink drain.
> The vented loop is important to prevent siphoning if the sink drain
> through-hull is under water on a port tack.  Some people recommend a check
> valve in addition to or instead of the vented loop.  However, I opted for
> the simpler solution with less potential for obstructions in the hose.
> 
> To my knowledge, the bilge pump has never come on, although I have had water
> in the bilge. I've never had what I consider to be a LOT of water in the
> bilge, and I've always found and patched any small leaks.  Generally, my
> bilge is BONE dry. I forced the pump to come on to test it, but I guess
> there was never enough water to activate the cheap float switch.
> 
> If I had to do it over again, I'd probably buy a better pump and better
> float switch, and try to shorten the hose length by using a more direct
> route to the sink drain.  However, I don't think there is much wrong with my
> general approach if the goal is just to assist or to keep a minor leak from
> severly flooding the boat if I'm away for a few weeks (assuming the battery
> charger is connected to shore power).
> 
> I do have a manual bilge pump, which is really the primary way to get water
> out of the bilge.
> 
> --Doug
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of RICK CENTALONZA
> Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 10:50 AM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] bilge pump
> 
> 
> Dear Gentleman,
> I have been reading the e-mails for months prior to getting a new Rhodes in
> May.
> How would I run the wire and tubing for a bilge pump. I have read some of
> the archives, but there is no mention of this.
> Thank you.
> Rick 
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

Doug,
Thank you for the info. I'll take a look under the floor near the head and
let you know my decision.

Rick


__________________________________________________
Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list