Posted by Vyv Cox on April 25, 2001 at 07:37:36:
In Reply to: Sadler 29 bilge pump posted by Dick Holness on April 24, 2001 at 22:28:18:
I can't speak for the 29, but the 34 also has its bilge pump in the engine bilge. As you say, it's a long way from the forward end of the boat, and on the 34 at least, there is a highish bulkhead at the forward end of the engine bilge.
Last winter I stupidly left one of the deck drain hoses to the scuppers disconnected when I left the boat on Sunday night and the following weekend found the sole boards floating in rain water. None had spilled into the engine bilge. It took me a very long time to bail and pump the water out, and it certainly raised a number of questions regarding trying to do the same thing at sea in an emergency.
As a result of this, I bought a large diaphragm pump and some good lengths of hose, plus a strum box. I drilled four holes in the middle companionway step, to which the pump can be firmly bolted. This allows operation of the pump in the most comfortable position, as it takes a surprisingly long time to pump out a significant amount of water. The strum box is permanently mounted within one of the spaces beneath a sole board, with the suction pipework attached. The pump and discharge pipework is stowed in the next space.
In use, all that is needed is for the pump to be mounted on the step using bolts and wing nuts. The suction pipework is attached to the pump with a hoseclip and the discharge pipework is passed into the cockpit and held to the safety harness loop with a bungee and hook. The whole process takes a very short time. Trials with this arrangement have proved quite successful and it would hopefully deal with most emergencies short of major holing.