Bilge Sump - Canoe Body

[SeaJay]

Guys, I'm stumped on this one...The hull of the 46' motor sailer I have under construction is really flat at the lowest level of the bilge. I estimate that before water would build up to a depth of 1" at the lowest spot, it would cover an area maybe 10ft long by 3 ft wide. I can sort of corral it by directing it along stringers and through limber holes but unless I can find a pump that will pick up a half in inch of water, I think any random bilge water is just going to slosh around forever. (I'm just talking about nusiance water here.)

I suppose I could cut through the bottom and form a small sump that would nest inside the top of the keel, but the thought of taking a saws-all to that part of my boat just doesn't appeal to me one bit. Short of this, does anyone have any suggestions?

Best Regards,

SeaJay

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by SeaJay

Guys, I'm stumped on this one...The hull of the 46' motor sailer I have under construction is really flat at the lowest level of the bilge. I estimate that before water would build up to a depth of 1" at the lowest spot, it would cover an area maybe 10ft long by 3 ft wide. I can sort of corral it by directing it along stringers and through limber holes but unless I can find a pump that will pick up a half in inch of water, I think any random bilge water is just going to slosh around forever. (I'm just talking about nusiance water here.)

I suppose I could cut through the bottom and form a small sump that would nest inside the top of the keel, but the thought of taking a saws-all to that part of my boat just doesn't appeal to me one bit. Short of this, does anyone have any suggestions?

Best Regards,

SeaJay

A good diaphragm pump should be able to pick up anything over 1/4", I would think. I wouldn't want to have it on auto for anything that shallow, though.

[gonzo]

That's the problem with canoe bodies without bilges. They get a little water in and splash all over the inside of the boat. A sump in the keel may help some, but when you are rolling or heeling over, the water will still splash around.

[SeaJay]

thanks guys. You're pretty much confirming what I thought. I'm afraid this is just a fact of life that I'm going to have to live with

Leave it as it is,

almost all modern mass production sail boats have that sort of (usually non existant) problem. commonly that is a very dry space.

Regards
Richard

[TeddyDiver]

If you really have some water you could make a raised sump. It's basicly a what it sounds like, a raised sump with sloping outer sides. X figured "stringers" guiding water toward the sump. Heeling and pitching run water in..

[SeaJay]

Teddy,

This is a clever idea! I think I can do something like this. Thanks!