Incredible Leaking

[TheThunderbird]

It took me days to locate an important leaking upsurging out of nowhere..

IT WAS THE ANCILLARY BILGE PUMP ITSELF

1. one-way valve got stuck
2. Sea-cock is on bottom of hull, STUPID!
3. I added a goose neck of 3' high, which was missing at all
You don't ever imagine a bilge pump leaking.... technicians of lifetime experience were quite incredulous either

Did it ever happen to you? Boat is 25yo, I will change all sea-docks into bronze, and change water-pipes next time I go dry

[Sandero]

Bilge pumps should discharge above the static water line.

[atoll]

even with a loop above the water line, bilge pumps that discharge below the water line are liable to siphon

[TheThunderbird]

Originally Posted by atoll

even with a loop above the water line, bilge pumps that discharge below the water line are liable to siphon

Absolutely right.

An out-take above the water line is advisable... however it requires a goose-neck and possibly a water-tight plenum box..... not ideal in a cutter much prone to heel

PS boat is a Nauta, basically of Swan-like quality... that was a surprise to me, such a deficiency (great it came out when in harbour... 1/2 gallon/ minute makes a lot of water as you sleep... :-)

[transmitterdan]

Check valves in the outlet bilge hose are the bane of the industry. Any design that is 100% dependent on a check valve will eventually flood the boat. This happens a lot. There are many stories here on CF and in magazines about people who can't believe water is coming out of their bilge pump. But it happens all the time.

The "best" system will have the through hull discharge above the "normal" heeled waterline. Put the antisiphon device well above the max heeled waterline. Get rid of the check (aka one-way) valve if possible. Lastly, never route a bilge pump to an outlet below the waterline.

[TheThunderbird]

Originally Posted by atoll

even with a loop above the water line, bilge pumps that discharge below the water line are liable to siphon

Absolutely right.

An out-take above the water line is advisable... however it requires a goose neck and possibly a water-tight plenum box..... not ideal in a cutter much prone to heel


PS boat is a Nauta, basically of Swan-like quality... that was a surprise to me, such deficiency (great it came out when in harbour... 1/2 gallon/ minute makes a lot of water as you sleep... :-)

[model 10]

What is the argument for a discharge below the waterline with a vented loop? There must be one for a "Swan like" boat.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by TheThunderbird

...

1. one-way valve got stuck
2. Sea-cock is on bottom of hull, STUPID!...

Both wrong.
Never install a check valve in bilge pump plumbing.

[MBWhite]

Originally Posted by Guy

What is the argument for a discharge below the waterline with a vented loop? There must be one for a "Swan like" boat.

Money? Style?

1) It is prettier and there is no chance of the side of the boat getting stained resulting in extra labor for scrubbing/cleaning.

2) It is often cheaper as the thru hull can be located in any convenient spot instead of the associated labor involved with routing a bilge hose to an above waterline spot.


Personally, I like the outlet to be somewhere it can be seen from the helm so if you do either take on water or develop a leak or have a regular leak that gets worse you can notice it before the water starts creeping above the floorboards.

[Cap Erict3]

Foot valves and check valves are the last line of defense for a swamped vessel.

I am a fan.


------------------------------
Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[PangurBan]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Foot valves and check valves are the last line of defense for a swamped vessel.

I am a fan.


------------------------------
Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

What is a foot valve?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by PangurBan

What is a foot valve?


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

A check valve below a pump to keep it primed and prevent reverse flow.


------------------------------
Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[nautical62]

On my first boat, I found out the hard way a previous owner had plumbed a hand pump into a though hull line using that cheap above water corrugated hose. The hose got a leak and nearly sunk the boat. Lesson learned. On later boats I made it point to immediately understand and inspect all plumbing to ensure it's done right. (I switched that one to above water line as well.)

If it were my boat, I'd put the through hull discharge for the bilge pump above water line.

[TheThunderbird]

Originally Posted by nautical62

On my first boat, I found out the hard way a previous owner had plumbed a hand pump into a though hull line using that cheap above water corrugated hose. The hose got a leak and nearly sunk the boat. Lesson learned. On later boats I made it point to immediately understand and inspect all plumbing to ensure it's done right. (I switched that one to above water line as well.)

If it were my boat, I'd put the through hull discharge for the bilge pump above water line.

In principle, I appreciate.

De facto, a 54' has say 12 intakes and 4 out takes
Putting all the out-takes above WL doesn't solve the problem.


Solutions:

Best quality sea cocks (bronze)
Double clamps
Not too old pipes
Control on one-way valves
Vented pipe (siphon)
Routine inspections

When possible, yes, above WL out-takes

Intakes must obviously be well below the WL

[TheThunderbird]

Check valve: you can't live without it when operating the WC
:-)

On other like a, it avoid the reverse flow along the pipe, and is an additional safety measure.

It can't be the only one!!!