Bilge Plug & bilge pump placement

[beckoning]

BILGE PLUG: Does anyone see a reason why I cannot put in the bilge plug int the bilge drain hole from the INSIDE instead of the traditional outside? My boat sits on a hoist all summer, so to empty the bilge (large aluminum boat that seeps) involved borrowing a kayak and paddling to the stern and removing the plug, hoping I doesn't splash all over the kayak.. Stern sits in nearly 6' of water while the bow is 3'. Long story.

So, for easy remove -> drain -> replace, I'd like to put the plug in from the inside instead of outside. Your thoughts???

BILGE PUMP: Old automatic/manual combo pump died. Will replace with manual/auto combo. Placement is the problem. Old plastic pump mounting stand is riveted to a shelf 3/4" above the hull, and I can't get to it with large hoses in the way, and the bilge access hole is 6" diameter so all is single handed work. One alternative is something I did on another boat I had, which is to place the pump near or on the bottom of the bilge, wedged in against tubes. Alternatively, use strong zip ties to attach the pump to a large hose, or somehow go under the old stand with zip ties and hold the new pump in place. Permanent mounting is out the question until she sits in the storage yard, all dry. thoughts???

 

[matt167]

Plug can go inside if it will fit. I put it in from the inside on my 14’. Can’t on my big boat.. zip ties aren’t a great solution but it will work, that’s how my big boats pump is mounted for the season

 

[nola mike]

BILGE PLUG: Does anyone see a reason why I cannot put in the bilge plug int the bilge drain hole from the INSIDE instead of the traditional outside? My boat sits on a hoist all summer, so to empty the bilge (large aluminum boat that seeps) involved borrowing a kayak and paddling to the stern and removing the plug, hoping I doesn't splash all over the kayak.. Stern sits in nearly 6' of water while the bow is 3'. Long story.

So, for easy remove -> drain -> replace, I'd like to put the plug in from the inside instead of outside. Your thoughts???

BILGE PUMP: Old automatic/manual combo pump died. Will replace with manual/auto combo. Placement is the problem. Old plastic pump mounting stand is riveted to a shelf 3/4" above the hull, and I can't get to it with large hoses in the way, and the bilge access hole is 6" diameter so all is single handed work. One alternative is something I did on another boat I had, which is to place the pump near or on the bottom of the bilge, wedged in against tubes. Alternatively, use strong zip ties to attach the pump to a large hose, or somehow go under the old stand with zip ties and hold the new pump in place. Permanent mounting is out the question until she sits in the storage yard, all dry. thoughts???

View attachment 418267

I mounted my pump to a piece of metal, which lays flat at the bottom of the bilge. It's stable enough that I never fastened it to anything. Easy enough to remove and replace

 

[Captain of the Double G's]

If you route the bilge pump to the drain and get a leak you might be calling for marine salvage people. Blunt enough ?

 

[matt167]

If you route the bilge pump to the drain and get a leak you might be calling for marine salvage people. Blunt enough ?

That’s not what he was asking… he meant put the plug itself in from the inside, which is perfectly acceptable as many small boats do that.

 

[airshot]

Why not us a hose and let the pump empty the water overboard then their us no issue. Having the pump put water in the bilge then have to empty that bilge seems like extra work for nothing.

 

[Captain of the Double G's]

OK, I apologize, I have reread and was apparently wrong again, get used to it, auto tech 45 + years, we throw the first thing out to other techs when we have a problem. Now just the plug ? If it fits I found way better from the inside, you can pull, it while moving to ( hopefully ) get rid of water in a pinch.

 

[redneck joe]

OK, I apologize, I have reread and was apparently wrong again, get used to it, auto tech 45 + years, we throw the first thing out to other techs when we have a problem. Now just the plug ? If it fits I found way better from the inside, you can pull, it while moving to ( hopefully ) get rid of water in a pinch.

that was my job as a kid. Boat didn't have a pump, i was smallest kid, dad would send me down to pull.

 

[airshot]

OK, I apologize, I have reread and was apparently wrong again, get used to it, auto tech 45 + years, we throw the first thing out to other techs when we have a problem. Now just the plug ? If it fits I found way better from the inside, you can pull, it while moving to ( hopefully ) get rid of water in a pinch.

That does work and it gets the water out fast ! My old Lyman had a screw in plug and boy did it get water sucked out fast. My only concern would be your plug slipping out while underway from the water pressure at the stern. That is where a screw in plug might be a safer bet.