One of my projects this winter is to re-vamp my bilge pump system. At present I have a Rule centrifugal sitting on top the keel bolts in the main bilge. It works, but... it doesn't produce an impressive flow. Probably in part because it has a long uphill run from the pump to the exit under the transom, and centrifugals don't do "lift" very well. Plus, that whole long run is full of water when the pump shuts off, and since centrifugals don't act like check-valves, that's a couple gallons of water that drains back into the bilge.
A diaphragm pump doesn't have to be in the bilge, so there are a lot more options. One of the options I'm thinking of is mounting the pump right next to the exit thru-hull in the stern. My thinking is that when the pump shuts off the long run of hose to the bilge will be empty, and it'll act like its own check-valve at the top of that run to keep any water migrating back into the boat.
There's a molded structure under the helm seat, in between the thru-hulls. Looks to be about 1/4" thick, and seems pretty solid. I'm thinking of mounting the diaphragm pump there, but... I don't know if there's anything under that structure. I can see the end of a (long abandoned?) blower hose, but don't know what else might be lurking there.
Anyone done anything in that area of the boat? Is it usable structure, strong enough to support a vibrating diaphragm pump, or is that a Really Bad Idea?
A diaphragm pump doesn't have to be in the bilge, so there are a lot more options. One of the options I'm thinking of is mounting the pump right next to the exit thru-hull in the stern. My thinking is that when the pump shuts off the long run of hose to the bilge will be empty, and it'll act like its own check-valve at the top of that run to keep any water migrating back into the boat.
There's a molded structure under the helm seat, in between the thru-hulls. Looks to be about 1/4" thick, and seems pretty solid. I'm thinking of mounting the diaphragm pump there, but... I don't know if there's anything under that structure. I can see the end of a (long abandoned?) blower hose, but don't know what else might be lurking there.
Anyone done anything in that area of the boat? Is it usable structure, strong enough to support a vibrating diaphragm pump, or is that a Really Bad Idea?