[Rhodes22-list] bilge pump

[Jim Connolly]

FWIW, I just removed the most water I have ever had from the bilge.  The
source was a leaking sink drain hose.  I thought I might have had a
portlight leak or something, since all the water I have noticed in there has
been fresh water.  I didn't figure it out until the drain hose sheared
completely off.

Check your hoses, everyone.  Mine might have been as little as a year old,
but was thoroughly embrittled for some reason.

Jim Connolly
s/v Inisheer
'85 recycled '03 

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Bill Effros
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 1:04 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] bilge pump

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


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