Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

[Johnshan1]

I just bought a 1984 Proline walk around cuddy, 21' and I noticed it has a bilge pump in the front of the boat under the cabin- go figure. The deck is self bailing and is sealed off from the bilge. Why would I need a bilge pump if the deck is self draining with no way to get into the bilge area? In other words, theres no way for water to get into the bilge- am I missing something?

Also the previous owner claims he sunk it at dock during a rain storm, he had plugs in the scuppers since they sit below the water line, is this normal? Also how did it sink if the boat is full of foam under the deck? I assume it couldnt have sunk entirely?

 

[stevieray]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

How is it powered - outboard or I/O?

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Outboard, no bellows to leak on this boat.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Maybe it's not full of foam - you can see into the bilge since you located the pump, so for sure water can get in there. Got any pix?

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

No pics of the bilge area, its all closed in with 2 small circle plates that can unscrew for access, water tight with gaskets.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

 

[Belchy]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

I know that all boats built today come with bilge pumps today, and there was a time when boats were built without them. In my opinion, I would not feel comfortable being out on a boat without a bilge pump. They are boats, boats that are in the water will take on water in some way shape or form. I know that seals around tanks, and hatchs do start to deteriorate over time and need to be replaced.

As for the scuppers, my 1992 Stratos WA has them as well and they are underwater. If the boat is at the dock unattended for any length of time, I leave them out in order for the water to drain, but when I am fishing I always put a plug in them from the inside to keep the water from comming back into the boat.

Hope that helps

Belchy

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

What cobra said... Water will find a way below deck. The scuppers on most boats are below the waterline when at rest; when you are on plane, they are generally well above the water and with the difference in pressure the water exits the rear of the boat. I have gone to a ball-type scupper that seals well when the boat is at rest and the scuppers are below the waterline.

 

[blouderback]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Yeah, why are there seatbelts in my car? I've never crashed it!

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

This is a little bit different, but thanks for the sarcastic reply nevertheless.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Ayuh,.............

Also the previous owner claims he sunk it at dock during a rain storm,
he had plugs in the scuppers since they sit below the water line, is this normal?
Also how did it sink if the boat is full of foam under the deck?
I assume it couldnt have sunk entirely?

Is this that Saltwater boat you were posting about,..??......
I'm thinking you Assumed, Wrong........
If it Is,.... The Wiring Gremlins are going to Haunt you ForEver............
I'd bet it Sunk, probably up to the Powerhead,.......
Or Deeper............

WaterProof compartments on Boats are Never WaterProof........
The Bilge Pump will Save your Life,.......
'Cause there Ain't Near as much Foam in that boat as you Wished there was.........

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Also thank you studlymandingo for the pic of your scupper setup and your input.

Yep, Bondo that is the boat, theres foam everywhere I look under the deck. As far as the wiring issues, not worried one bit, im an electrician, it will be re-wired before it hits water.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Thanks to Belchy as well

 

[Mark42]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Bilge pumps also come in handy when underway and the hull strikes an floating or submerged object and gets a hole punctured in it.

S**t happens.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

John,

My current project boat has a large self bailing cockpit. It too has a bilge pump (I can't figure out how to reach it, but that is another topic).

After every trip, I pull the drain plug and there is often a little water in there. It can come from many places including:

- hull to gunwale cap seam (behind the rub rail)
- hardware mounted on your gunwales (ex cabin/storage vents, cabin windows, cabin doors), bow decks, etc.
- storage compartment drains (escape route for water after storing wet rain gear, life jackets, etc.)
- leaking through hull fittings or plumbing
- condensation (air spaces + water vapor + temp changes)
- etc...

Bottom line is that it is cheap insurance that is well worth the time, effort and $$.

Dan

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

It's just poor design if your "self-bailing" deck scuppers are submerged at rest. The way it's supposed to work is the cockpit deck and the scuppers themselves are above the waterline so any water that splashes in can drain right out. Both the Aquasports and the Mako my family owned had it right. Water may splash in ( and sometimes it really came in!!) but it ran right out.

Every boat bigger than a 16 footer with open bilges needs a bilge pump of some kind, preferably two, one of which does NOT depend on the boat's batteries.
Just common sense and experience...

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Thanks guys, I will have a bilge pump put back in it for sure, just didnt understand the need for one if the cockpit deck is self bailing and the bilge area was "sealed". I know if you hit anything, it will be running into the bilge.

For some reason the bilge is in the front of this boat under the cuddy area, someone told me that at rest the boat sits slightly forward instead of rearward, who knows.

Also as far as self bailing cockpits, im told that at the dock even if they are under water they should be left open, then I hear that anyone who leaves their boat in the water should plug every single through hull they can find.

I have already replaced my plastic through hulls with bronze, except the bilge out flow which is above the water line by, just 8" or so, need some advice here too.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Well I have 3 Bilge pumps going in, each one 1250 gallons each, 2 in the rear and one in the factory location under the front cuddy, should fit the bill, on auto floats.

Now I am not sure what to do about the low transom- should I get a drop in insert for the 2 rails they provide? (you can see these rails on each side in the photo)

I do not see how this will make the boat any safer- it will just feel safer as you cannot get back far enough to cause concern. Water will still wash over the back and into the battery compartments and so forth. This leads me to simply get a swing back seat (found in center consoles) and mount it back there where the drop in insert would go and call it good, this will eliminate the open deck feeling and gain some seating.

What do you guys think?

 

[KRS]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

Insurance prolly requires it... and it's a good idea.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Why does my boat have a bilge pump? Why are my scuppers under water?

I am not sure why insurance would require it? Can you tell me why it is a good idea? I do not see but 1 pro to using it, and that is just keeping anyone away from the low transom.