Where to put bilge pump?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm new to boating. I just bought a '72 Glastron CV-16 with a Merc 1500. I would like to install an electric bilge pump, (I already have one) but where? A few days after I got it there was a big down pour, and when I jacked the front end up quite a bit of water came pouring out of the back. There was no water that I could see inside the boat...where does the water go, and how can I put a pump in it?

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

When you store your boat on a trailer, standard practice is to keep the bow high and leave the drain plug out. Gravity takes care of the water then.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

I know that, but this being an old boat and me being someone that worries alot I would like to have a way of removing water while I'm floating. Also I have a brand new bilge pump that I've had for a few years, I would like to put it to good use.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Zmoz<br />Normaly install the pump as low in bildge as you can and as close to the transom as you can. Reason is on the water because of engine weight bildge near transom is lowest place. Also when getting on plane bow will rise and water will run to the stern.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

CV-16????? 1500 merc????? thats a 150hp isn't it?????? Might need that pump more than I originally thought........

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Yes, it is 150hp, is that bad? Sorry for a stupid question, but what exactly is the "bilge"? My friend has a jet boat...and has the pump near the engine because that is where the water collects. There isn't really a place in my boat that it collects, that is open to put a pump in. (that I know about anyway)

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Looked at this post earlier and didn't catch the CV 16 and merc 1500... either.. <br />Anyway ZmOz<br />What Boatist said is correct. And it sounds like to me the water running under the floorboards..<br /><br />it's fairly common to cut a 6-8 inch hole in the floor board at the rear in the center and glass in a 1/4 piece of plywood then mount the pump on it. Run your wires and plumbing and cover it with a deck plate. If you have the room (space between the floor and bottom of hull)<br />If not enough room I'd just put a nice peice of trim around the hole and let the pump show. It's pretty and besides I'm a FRAIDY CAT when it comes to sinking!<br />If there is only a couple inches between the two it might be better and a lot easyier to just mount it on the floor.<br />Lets see what some of the others have to say. These guys are pretty good in this forum.<br /><br />Link

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Hmmm....I would really like to avoid cutting a hole. If somehow the boat got completely full in the area where I can't see the water, would it still float? If I could just put the pump on the floor in the back I would be happy...but if water got to that point would it already be too late?

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

ZmOz<br />If water got so high in boat as to be above the floor then the boat would be very unstable and might capsize if you walked to one side. All the water would run to the low side and the high side would be dry. This would further wieght the low side and lighten the high side.<br /><br />If you get water in the bildge / under the floor you want to pump it out asap. Stringer rot when wet, bolts and engine parts rust and corrode, and besides any water slows boat down and uses more fuel.<br /><br />I guess this is a outboard. Still I would think you would have some access points to the bottom end. You must have a fuel tank access point. Dont you have any floor storage boxes that lift out so can get to the hull near the back. Do you have any floor panels that can be unbolted and removed for the work you need to do. If you have none I would consider your boat unsafe unless it is filled with closed cell foam and even then you need to be able to get to the fuel tank and hoses.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Yes, there is a compartment in the back where the gas tank (portable) and battery go. The floor just extends to this area the same as it is everywhere else, minus the carpet. I see nothing that would lift out or unscrew. I'm also rather confused as to how the water gets under the floor when it rains, there are no drains of any kind that I can find.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

I used to have a 1976 CV-16 with Merc 150hp, I had an electric bilge pump sitting in the little well in the floor right at the bottom of the transom in the middle. Can you not access the drain plug hole from the inside of the boat? The spot was only big enough for a small pump with no room for a float switch to make it automatic.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

ZMOZ,<br />This is one way to get around the problem. Hook up a float switch which is activated when the water in your bilge reaches a certain depth. A buzzer/light combo can be installed on your dash to alert you to water in the bilge & you can then turn on your bilge pump. Your local marine dealer will have one & help you fit it out. It is is a simple job but this forum will help you if you are stuck. You can also get bilge pumps which are activated by afloat switch & which also have a manual override.<br />Regards,<br />Peter.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

I am have some what of the same problem, there is no where in he floor to put a bilge pump the only place I see is in the back of the boat behind the seat but it is at the same level as the floor it does not go under the floor. Any ideas.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

jrturbowon said:

I am have some what of the same problem, there is no where in he floor to put a bilge pump the only place I see is in the back of the boat behind the seat but it is at the same level as the floor it does not go under the floor. Any ideas.

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Where is the drain Plug ??? Thats where it needs to go right in front of the drain plug ....

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

Holy old thread.
The last post was almost 7 years ago before being dug back up today.

I'm not sure if they even existed back then, but these days you can get a small bilge pump with built-in automatic control. (no need for a float switch) I use the Rule 25S.

Re: Where to put bilge pump?

jimbo3123 said:

Holy old thread.
The last post was almost 7 years ago ....... I'm not sure if they even existed back then ....

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You mean waaaaaaay back then when a certain expert here was a mechanic for a fellow named Noah?




The devil made me do that!