Installing electric bilge pump

[Rich]

After a fair amount of research, I've decided to install an electric bilge pump to supplement the manual pump already on my CD26. I'm going to run a separate discharge rather than trying to tap into the existing line, probably exiting my engine well since it's accessible with the boat in the water.

This will be my first cut into the hull. What is the best tool for making the opening (hole saw? high speed bit?)? What is the best choice of flange to connect the hose to? How should it be bedded?

Any other things I should be concerned with?



rpassmore42@hotmail.com

[Dennis]

Rich, I've been planning the same project on my CD26. Why did you deceide to go through the hull instead of cutting into the existing line. My research showed it could be done with a T fitting as long as you also intalled BACK FLOW PREVENTER in each line.

Dennis CD26D

After a fair amount of research, I've decided to install an electric bilge pump to supplement the manual pump already on my CD26. I'm going to run a separate discharge rather than trying to tap into the existing line, probably exiting my engine well since it's accessible with the boat in the water.

This will be my first cut into the hull. What is the best tool for making the opening (hole saw? high speed bit?)? What is the best choice of flange to connect the hose to? How should it be bedded?

Any other things I should be concerned with?

[Rich]

Rich, I've been planning the same project on my CD26. Why did you deceide to go through the hull instead of cutting into the existing line. My research showed it could be done with a T fitting as long as you also intalled BACK FLOW PREVENTER in each line.

Dennis CD26D

Good question - 1)Some have posted concerns about potential failure of back flow preventors 2)Concern that back flow preventor reduces pump efficiency 3)Interest in having 100% redundancy - failure of one system has no effect on other 4)My lack of plumbing knowledge - new line seems to be a simpler installation that tapping into existing. I took a look at an old post of Dana's and he used a similar approach. I haven't actually decided exactly where I'll pop out - in the well or through the transom. Maybe you could go first and tell me how it works out...



rpassmore42@hotmail.com

[Dave]

Rich,
personally, I wouldn't put another hole through the hull unless you need to. My pump is plumbed through the sink. The trap that is installed for the sink stops the back flow of the water and I have never had any issues or concerns.

Dave

After a fair amount of research, I've decided to install an electric bilge pump to supplement the manual pump already on my CD26. I'm going to run a separate discharge rather than trying to tap into the existing line, probably exiting my engine well since it's accessible with the boat in the water.

This will be my first cut into the hull. What is the best tool for making the opening (hole saw? high speed bit?)? What is the best choice of flange to connect the hose to? How should it be bedded?

Any other things I should be concerned with?

ddsailor25@ureach.com

[Chris Schnell]

Rich...After much advice off this site and in "This Old Boat" (a must have book), I recently setup my CD30 w/a 500 gph automatic bilge pump in the bottom of my bildge to deal with the minor leakage from who knows where, and then installed a 2000gph bilge pump on the second level of my bilge w/a manual switch to deal with the "big leak" should it ever come. The second pump required a new thru-hull as I did not think it wise to rely on line that may have failed and be the source of water. To minimize backfilling of the bilge I have installed vented loops in these lines, as well as my overboard for the head. While noone wants to put more holes in their hull, this is one that is worth it....it's an important line of defense. Good Luck!

Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC



swabbie@compaq.net

[sloopjohnl]

rich,

i installed a bilge pump thru hull in the transom of my typhoon two springs ago. i used a new sharp hole saw for the cut after i taped the area to keep the gelcoat from splitting out. let the saw do the work and use light pressure on the drill. you have about 3/4" to go through if your well is as thick as my transom.

not a big deal for sure. the vented loop is also a must have i think.

After a fair amount of research, I've decided to install an electric bilge pump to supplement the manual pump already on my CD26. I'm going to run a separate discharge rather than trying to tap into the existing line, probably exiting my engine well since it's accessible with the boat in the water.

This will be my first cut into the hull. What is the best tool for making the opening (hole saw? high speed bit?)? What is the best choice of flange to connect the hose to? How should it be bedded?

Any other things I should be concerned with?