Bilge on Deck

[Airslot]

No pics in this thread, but I'm guessing its much like a C-Hawk 18, with a pie-plate near the stern and maybe 10-12"'s under the deck. You can put a pump down there, but you have to bring the hose and wires through the deck to do it. Being that your not ready to lauch yet, I'd leave the plug in through a few good rains and maybe run some water into the boat with a hose on deck. See what if any water finds its way to the "bilge".

[Sean]

There is access to the "bilge" area through one of the litle pop off round hatches on the deck and the bilge area is about 18" deep and the width of the boat. We have had rain over the last few days and with the plugg in it did hold a decent amount of water, were it is comming from is prpbably going to be for a diffent thread
The hull is filled with foam, and the deck was actually removed and the stringers and foam were replaced in 94 (I have every reciept for work that was done since the orginal owner purchased in 1986)
I think I am going to install a small automatic 500gph pump in the bilger area having the wires/hose come up through the hatch so I do not need to cut the floor. I figure I can leave a few extra feet of wire/hose in the bilge area so after I seel them to the hatch I can still have room to remove the hatch if I need to get into the bilge area.
Then I am thinking of installing a 2nd pump (1000gph) directly on the deck. I fish and anchor up in some harry area's and would feel safer knowing there is a back up plan.
If you see any issues with my plan, or can think of a better root, please let me know.
As always, Thank you for your help!!

[Airslot]

Well, in that case, what I would do is take the access cover, and run a piece of 2" pvc through it, maybe with a flange on each end, with a 90 sweep up top pointed out of the way for the exit hose and wiring. Follow what I'm trying to describe?

[Sean]

Yup, thats exactly what I was planning on doing, I'd rather run it through the hatch with some extra wires/hose in the bilge, then start drilling holes in the deck.
Thanks Air!!

[macojoe]

Only thing I would do different is put the 1000 below!! You can get he water off deck by driving, scuppers leak out, bucket if you have to, but if you get a lot of water below, or crack the hull you will want to get the water out from below faster then a 500 will.

[Sean]

MJ, I was thinking the same thing, but read since there is only a litle area to keep dry the best bet is to use the smaller pump. the smaller pump will of coarse have a smaller hose ans less back wash from when the bilge shutts down. This will enable the bilge area to drain as much as possible and stay drier. (not sure if that just made sense)