where to locate bilge pump?

[matt1778]

I have a 15ft 1968 monrgomery ward sea king with a 60hp chrysler.I want to install a small bilge pump but I don't know where to put it.The floor is solid with no acess below.I dont know if there is foam under the floor or if it is hallow.Should I cut an opening to put it below the floor or drill holes and install it above?Or do nothing and just mount it to the floor.Any advice would be of great help.Here is some pics.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

Does your boat tend to take on water? Being an O/B and all.
I know I/O's need them for reason "stuff" goes through the transom and is under the water line, but an O/B?

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

It does take on some the previous owner put alot of screws and holes through the transom.I have moast of them pluged but i keep finding them.Just want to be on the safe side plus rain who knows.And the drain plug is above the floor so any water below just stays there

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

How high up is the drain plug from the bottom of the boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

there is not a bilge well behind the battery? thats where the pump belongs, and the drain plug.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

About 4in.I just want to be sure if it starts filling up in the middle of the lake I dont have to abandon ship

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

there is no well just a drain above the floor?

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

that's all I got it's an old boat a project in the works you might say.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

I have never seen a more u-neek location for a drain plug.
All the ones I've seen are right in the middle and at the bottom of the transom where they should be.....ie, the lowest part of the boat.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

Yeah you would think but there was alot of drugs being used in the 60's mabey that has something to do with it lol.But all jokeing aside i really would like to put a pump somewhere?

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

there is not a bilge well behind the battery? thats where the pump belongs, and the drain plug.

That's where I would cut a 1' square hole in the floor/deck. Clean out anything that's under it and mount a plate, aluminum with epoxy to the hull, with a couple of studs/mounting bolts coming thru the plate that matches the pump's mounting holes. Then run the plastic drain tubing to the outside. You can get thru hull fittings to make it look custom.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

that sounds like a plan to me.I do want to do something to improve on this poor design.Thanks for the help.If you or anyone else has a different sugestion I'm still weighing the options but that sounds good to me.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

Oh one more thing I was looking at the through hull fittings and they say to mount atleast 12" above the water line.I dont have a place near ths back of the boat tat is eaven close to 12" above the water?

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

Oh one more thing I was looking at the through hull fittings and they say to mount atleast 12" above the water line.I dont have a place near ths back of the boat tat is eaven close to 12" above the water?

Just put it up the highest you can to the top of the boat.
If your worried about water coming in from it............
You can always just put a plug in it and take it out "if" you have to run the pump.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

you can just take a hose run it thru the access hole ( where the steering cable is) in the splashwell and over the transom, if you don't want to cut a hole.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

oh yeah a plug silly me.thank you you have been a great help i'm new to this site and this is my first boat not my first boating experince but my first boat.figuers i start with a project but what a better way to learn

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

If you know anything about lower units check out my post in the other foum mabey you can help me there too .The project dosnt stop with the pump.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

Welcome aboard.

 

[matt1778]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

I like the splash well idea I think there are enough holes in the boat i'm filling them with 1200psi epoxy hope that will hold really dont want to reglass the transom believe it or not it is still solid thoe.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: where to locate bilge pump?

you have an answer in the other thread.