• Untitled Document

    Join us on November 22nd, 7pm EDT

    for the CBEC Virtual Meeting

    Adventures & Follies

    All EYO members and followers are welcome to join the fun and get to know the people you've met online!

    See the link below for login credentials and join us!

    November Meeting Info

    (dismiss this notice by hitting 'X', upper right)

bilge

  1. vanilladuck

    E32-3 keel bolt compromise?

    There I am cleaning the main bilge sump on my E32-3 in preparation to replace the bilge pump and I notice one bolt has some brown/black buildup of gunk on the top of the nut around the threads. So, I start scrubbin' and pickin' at it and it begins to loosen. After some Simple Green, wire...
  2. The Tiny Hole Theory: Self-priming Rule 800 Bilge Pump

    E32-3 The Tiny Hole Theory: Self-priming Rule 800 Bilge Pump

    Date: March 2023 With the number of rain storms coming through the SF Bay area recently, it's given me a good opportunity to see how the bilge pumps on SV Rumour are working -- and not. I realized a while ago that the shower bilge wasn't automatically pumping. No big deal -- water never goes...
    • vanilladuck
    • Blog entry
    • airlock bilge centrifugal check valve e32 e32-3 pump rule self-prime water witch
    • Comments: 3
    • Category: Plumbing
  3. vanilladuck

    Tiny Hole Theory: Defeating Airlock on a Rule 800 w/Check Valve

    With the number of rain storms coming through the SF Bay area recently, it's given me a good opportunity to see how the bilge pumps on SV Rumour are working -- and not. I realized a while ago that the shower bilge wasn't automatically pumping. No big deal -- water never goes down the shower...
  4. vanilladuck

    Water and the cabin sole

    Like most of us, I have water which regularly enters the boat through the mast on my E32-3. There is no gutter around the mast step so the water runs across the cabin sole to the starboard side of the boat and seeps into the edge of the flooring where it meets the fiberglass gelcoat at the base...
  5. cbeveridge

    E35-3 Replacing bilge hose

    Hi - this is my first post asking for assistance. My (original I believe) automatic bilge hose (Lawrence 3/4 ID) is severely rotten where is exits under the engine. I am trying to remove the old one and instal a new one. It's a tricky job - without much force the aft end of the hose...
  6. B

    E26 bilge - what's under the liner?

    Hello knowledgable folks, I'm hoping someone could tell me what I would find if I were to cut a big hole in the fiberglass liner at the bottom of my 1984 E26 bilge access openings. Specifically, how deep is the area underneath and where would the lowest point be? I get a lot of water in the...
  7. M

    Oily bilge

    Hello, I want to buy a boat from the broker. He doesn't know the boat history. It has oily bilge and the boat is docked from Oct 2019 without electricity in the Seattle area. What worse can cause the oil leak? Is it a bad idea to buy this surprise? How properly I should pump the oily bilge...
  8. Automatic Bilge Pump Installation

    E32-2 Automatic Bilge Pump Installation

    I finally got around to installing an automatic bilge pump in Mariah last month. It only took me 3 years since I first thought of doing so. I voiced my reasoning elsewhere in earlier posts: The boat is on a mooring buoy (no AC or solar) in an isolated area. Ultimately, all the auto bilge...
  9. J

    E 30+ Bilge Pump Questions

    I am the new owner of a 1983 E 30+ and still underway in understanding the various systems in my boat. Hoping you all might help, in going over my new boat I have several questions regarding the bilge pump system. First, I'm embarrassed to say that I can't find the powered bilge pump! I can...
  10. C

    Bilge Pump Issues

    Hey! Bought my 1978 E27 at the end of April and the bilge pump was working perfectly. Went to use it the other day and it doesn't work. I am thinking it is one of three things: 1) Fuse 2) Bad wiring 3) Bad Pump Here is the situation: I would flip my bilge switch on my electrical board and the...
  11. V

    Shower Bilge Drain Mystery

    Hi all, We have recently acquired a very well maintained 1985 Ericson 30+ here in Chicago. But, like all older boats with multiple owners, there are mysteries to be solved. So looking for thoughts on this one. As many know there are 2 bilges on the Ericson 30, the main bilge and the shower...
  12. V

    Water Coming Up Around Keel Bolts

    My 1982 E38 is on the hard. I've owned the boat for a year, and there's always been water in the bilge, so I'm concerned about the state of the keel bolts and bedding. Therefore, I've started the process of removing, replacing, and re-torqueing the keel nuts and washers. Of twelve total, the...
  13. jacksonkev

    Help needed....bilge/plumbing questions (and could use a diagram?)

    Hi all, I have a newish to me 1980 E30+. I bought her a few years ago and we've had drought conditions in California since. This year, there have been some huge storms and my bilge/pump setup is being tested. (sidenote-I recently had hand surgery and it makes it infinitely harder (if not...
  14. L

    E34 Hull/Bilge Construction

    Greetings all- so I am a yacht broker and I have a listing for an 1989 Ericson 34, and one of my prospective buyers found online that there was some reported issues with the grid systems in which stress cracks sometimes can be found in the areas around the base of the mast. Looking at my...
  15. Gusher 10 Replacement - Part 2

    E31C Gusher 10 Replacement - Part 2

    Well look here, a valve return spring! Nothing like this on the Gusher 10. Side by side of the deck plates and their gators.The old style was powercoated aluminum and the new one is plastic. Sign of the times, I guess. The holes for the pump arm are identical at 3 inches, but the mounting...
  16. Eric Gordon

    Marina del Rey pumpout service

    Has anyone in Marina del Rey used a mobile pump service? I found one called Popeye's With my E27's engine needing impeller replacement (I'm working on it monday)....I want to have someone come over one time only and pump out my holding tank and clean the bilge of the stinky water (read my...
  17. gadangit

    My deep bilge

    You would have bilge envy if you knew the depth of our bilge. We had to cut out the sole to gain access for cleaning out the 40+ years of accumulated gunk. It was an awful mess under there, use your imagination. Let me help: the shower did not have a separate sump. It is cleanish now and...
  18. S

    1971 E27 purchase questions

    New to the site, very close to purchasing a 1971 E27 but have just a few questions for now. There was about a quart or so of water in the bilge, there's no automatic bilge pump (though the manual one does work). Is this troubling? The owner seems to think it's always there and that it rarely...
  19. G

    Mystery leak E28+

    The forward most bilge compartment (just aft of the head) on my 1983 E28+ accumulates sea water from some mysterious source. The water appears to be coming in through the port side limber hole (the second limber hole leads to the shower sump but that is dry and we never use it). I've checked...
  20. N

    Where do we start?

    Hi everyone!We just sailed our new (to us) Ericson 38 home to Portland ME and are very discouraged by the amount of water in the bilge. Every day, I am using a shop vac to take out about 6 gallons of water from the bilge. Where do we start looking for the source of the leak? Thanks!
  21. P

    Bilge Flow - e29

    On my recently purchased e-29 (1972 hull 204) there are two bilge access hatches in the main salon ( center of floor and near stairs), and one in the hanging locker across from the head. From bow to stern, the flow of water is as follows. The anchor locker flows into the forward storage area...
  22. J

    TAFG pictures?

    Does anyone have any images or pictures of the TAFG (preferably, in a 1980's vintage boat, either 28+ or 30+)? I want to get some idea of what I'm dealing with under the sole when trying to rid it of bilge water....
  23. J

    Cleaning the bilgey bits...

    Hi all, I just bought a 1984 Ericson 28+, and am having a devil of a time trying to get the bilge as clean as I can. I know the best advice is to powerwash the bilge to clean it, but for this particular boat it's impossible. Ericson built the boat with a laid-in fiberglass grid under the...
  24. exoduse35

    Bilge filling!

    My 35-2 has always been dry inside, I could go months without running the pump. 2 out of my last 3 weekly visits the bilge was filled to the sole. In between it was it had a bit but not too bad. we have had some rain but not anywhere enough to fill the bilge, and there is a muddy film forming...
  25. R

    bilge water

    We have a 1987 32-3 and are getting water in the main bilges after a rain. Am sure it is not from the stuffing box. If no rain the bilges are dry. Am talking about the main bilges, not the shower bilge into which the mast drains. The interior cabin shows no leaks. Any ideas where I should look.
  26. P

    Bilge Water

    I am in the process of evaluating a '94 30+. She appears to be in great shape both inside and out, but I did see about 1 1/2" of water in the bilge. I expect to find the source of the water through the survey. I pumped the bilge on Sunday and I'm going to see it again on Thursday, and will be...
  27. WBurgner

    E38 Bilge Pump Configurations

    I have been having problems with my electric bilge pump set up and it got me to wondering what others have found to be a bullet proof set up. I am not sure if it is the factory set up, but I have Water Puppy pumps for both the shower sump and bilge located in the starboard cockpit locker...
  28. A

    74 35 2 bilge discharge thru hull

    my bilge pump discharge was teed into the manual bilge pump line. i want to install a thru hull next to the manual bilge pump discharge. i don't know how thick the hull is in that area and have searched but haven't been able to find any mention of the thickness of the hull thanks for all your...
  29. CSMcKillip

    Bilge pumps?

    What, or who makes the pumps for the bilge, I have two pumps located on the bulkhead above the moter. I think the forward one is for the shower or water pressure, and the aft one is the main bilge area pump. When I turn the breaker to one you hear a small click at the breaker panel, and that's...
  30. Afrakes

    Bilge Volume Reduction

    I want to reduce the volume of my E-27 bilge. Too deep. Would like to raise the bottom of the bilge by 3"-4". Any suggestions on the best way to go about doing this. Al
  31. A

    E25 Bilge help - Drain question

    Hi, I washed out the inside of my boat today, I have the whale gusher pump attached in the cockpit. When I pump it, the water in the bilge near the stairs seems to drain fine. The water in the bilge near the v berth and the head doesn't seem to want to drain? There is some sorta device...
  32. M

    E32-3 - shower bilge

    Hello, Is any one can tell me, if shower bilge section should be connected with main bilge in E32-3? What kind pumps I should use for shower bilge and for main bilge sections? Thanks, Mike “Lily”- E32-3, 1989 NJ
  33. jmcpeak

    What?? Diesel in the bilge?

    Wasn't there last week - at least 10 gallons - no leaks around any lines going to engine... Tank had to have sprung a leak? :mad: Only one other possibility; We were changing out the float style fuel sending unit for a new Centroid capacitance sender. We were using a vacuum to keep debris out...
  34. J

    Drying the bilge

    Hi, we have recently bought an E27 and this the first winter we are preparing for. I am wondering if anyone could suggest a good procedure to dry out a bilge? I have the automatic bilge pump, but once it pumps as much as it can, some water still goes back to the bilge from the pipes. thanks
  35. S

    E26 auto bilge pump

    I would like to install an electric bilge pump in my '87 E26, along with a float switch. Can anyone tell me how it was done at the factory? What kind of pump (self priming, remote or centrifigal), location, routing of hoses and location of overboard fitting? I am hoping to not have to cut...
  36. F

    Automatic bilge pump in an e23

    Fellow Ericson 23 owners, Suggestions on installing an automatic bilge pump in an Ericson 23 Mark II fixed keel? Some rainwater is collecting at the base of the mast post in the cabin, under the cabin floor. Most of the time I remove it using a turkey baster, and I am working on sealing the...
  37. M

    Cockpit Drains: Going to Bilge? (!)

    Hello, Ericson owners. I have just bought an E27 few weeks ago...still getting to know the boat. I noticed that all 4 cockpit drains connect under the cockpit and drain into the bilge. The bilge does not have an automatic bilge pump. I see a major problem in this setup - if it rains hard a boat...
  38. S

    bilge pump issue

    I have a Rule three way switch with indicator light on my DC panel for the bilge pump and a float switch in the bilge on my 1989 Ericson 38. The float switch when lifted will activate the pump but when the dc panel is switched to manual I get an indicator light but no pump activity.Any ideas...
  39. K

    Mystery Bilge Water in E 38-200 (1988)

    Hello all: After changing out the packing gland flax today, I had hoped that water dripping from the shaft (at increasing volume) into the bilge would be gone - no such luck! A whole bunch of water came in through the shaft when I was doing the change over. Once the new flax was in (&...
  40. L

    Whats this crack in the bilge?

    A friend just bought a E29. A surveyor (post purchase!) noticed a crack in the glass on top of the keel, in the second (forward) access hatch. He had a theory that maybe some water got in and froze making the crack, but admitted he didn't have a clue. At his suggestion my friend filled it with...
  41. mherrcat

    Bilge pump regulations

    What are the regulations regarding bilge pumps in the drip pan under the engine? I seem to recall from somewhere that this is not legal. A previous owner has two pumps installed under the engine and I am tempted to remove them. There shouldn't be any water getting into that drip pan anyway since...
  42. S

    E27 Bilge revisited

    I know the topic of the E27 deep bilge with the thin fiberglass at the rear has been discussed on here before. I'm considering glassing in a piece of starboard about 18 inches from the top that would essentially create a "false bottom". This would isolate the bottom portion of the bilge from the...
  43. mherrcat

    Manual bilge pump hose

    I want to replace the output hose on my manual bilge pump to make it a little longer. It looks like some kind of plastic or PVC with a spiral reinforcing wire and PVC cuffs attached to the ends. It looks like this Shields hose listed on the West Marine site, but I don't see the cuffs listed...
  44. W

    Bilge Blower Switch/Relay

    I probably have the original blower and blower switch on my '76 E27 and all works well except the switch is located down below and often I wish I had that control in the cockpit. Is there a reason I can't have the best of both worlds and put in a relay? A solid state device should be reliable...
  45. Loren Beach

    Bilge Pump Switch quandary

    After replacing several Rule float switches over the years, some showing almost zero exposure to water.... I would like to change to something more reliable. :mad: I was reading about this product after seeing an ad in 48 North, and then referred to their site. http://www.waterwitchinc.com/...
  46. Sven

    Arm extender for the bilge

    There were some loose chunks of wood in the bilge that we wanted to clean out. To make it easier to pick up the junk we ordered a 36" reach extender from jack's toolshed http://jackstoolshed.zoovy.com/ It worked like a charm and will be a fixture on board from now on. -Sven
  47. Sven

    Oil in the bilge ... now what ?

    It isn't as bad as it sounds, but I want to take care of it so our bilge is as clean as Glyn claims Martin's is. Our current marina and yard (Driscoll) is great so we want to give them our business rather than going outside. Because of that we went with their (sublease) diesel mechanic...
  48. S

    E26 Automatic bilge pump

    Does anyone have an E26II with a factory installed auto bilge pump or the excerpt in the owners manual that shows the installation. I am wondering where the plumbing enters the bilge sump. The only place that is really apparent is the aft limber hole. This doesn't seem ideal. Also, am I going...
  49. S

    Bilge Pump location

    I've recently taken posession of a new 38 and can't seem to find the bilge pump. Under the engine? Boy do I feel stupid. Any help? Thank you Tim, Ericson 38
  50. Randy Rutledge

    She asked how does the bilge blower work?

    I was doing some work on my carb on my 78 E29 when my date (this was her second weekend on the boat) asked how does the bilge blower work? I proceded to explain and she continued to question. I was showing her that the enblower is in the engine compartment and that there is an exhaust hose...
  51. ChrisS

    water from hole in bilge

    Water in foam part of keel? Today I went down to fix a few small things, including a reinstallation of the bilge pump in the lowest part of the bilge, since the bracket that holds the pump was broken. When I removed the bilge pump bracket by unscrewing four screws, water started coming in...
  52. P

    Lead shot in the bilge - E27

    Hi everyone, I recently had my manual bilge pump mysteriously stop pumping. I could tell it was trying to, but just couldn't make the grade. I originally assumed the seals on the pump were bad. I used a hand bilge pump to empty what water was there, and soon enough, IT stopped working...
  53. K

    engine bilge

    It was time to clean the bilges. I couldn't find any exit hole in the engine bilge. I did see a white plastic pipe that runs through engine bilge foward to the bilge under the dust pan, then a hole into the main bilge, hole to the second bilge, hole to the bilge under the mast. Confused...
  54. P

    Bilge Pump Valve

    Had a brain storm idea to clean the inside of the E29 in a new way that would avoid the fuss and time consumption of vacuuming etc. Remove throw rug and cushions and hose down the inside with soft scrub (bleach) and water. Purposely filled the bilge, then went to manually pump the bilge, which...
  55. R

    Relays and bilge pumps?

    I understand how to wire a bilge pump and switch setup but is there any difference when you wire a diaphragm style pump that is inline, not in the bilge and not right next to the switch? It seems like a waste of wire and a very long wire run to run power from the panel to the switch in the...
  56. R

    Removing the manual bilge pump?

    I hate to admit it but the bilge pump system in my E38 is just about worthless. A single Rule 500 run through plenty of hose all the way back to the transom. It works but its not going to keep up with any real problem. As most of you will know the TAFG grid setup in these boats limits the...
  57. C

    Bilge Blower

    Last weekend I was getting ready to start the engine on my 1975 32-2 in preparation for motoring out for a nice afternoon sail and turned on the bilge blower switch and guess what? Bilge blower was not running. Checked the fuse and that was okay. Have not had any problems with the blower in...
  58. A

    74 35 II access to front bilge

    hi all if i remove the table base is there a hole to access the front bilge ? if not has anyone created a hole to access the front bilge ? thanks greg dalliance 74 35II # 325 wilmington,ca
  59. R

    Bilge Pump Failures

    I'm having repeated bilge pump failures. I don't live where my boat is anymore and it's several months between visits. I've had repeated failures of Rule bilge pumps. With the last 2 (different models) the fuse is blown when I get to my boat. It blows again when I put a new one in. This...
  60. J

    Diesel fuel in the bilge

    In doing my spring clean-up in my 1983 E-28+ I found that what I thought was a small amount of spilled engine oil in the bilge turns out to definitely be diesel fuel (the odor is a dead give-away). There is no oil in the engine compartment beside some that I had previously spilled, and thought I...
  61. D

    bilge cleaner

    My e38-200 has a fairly wet bilge and I'm assuming that's true for most Ericsons as well. I suspect it's because my halyards are in-mast, allowing rainwater to drain into the bilge inside the mast. Has anyone found an effective bilge cleaner other than the West Marine varieties that are...
  62. mherrcat

    Bilge question

    Asked this in another thread but thought it might be better on it's own: On my 30+ there are three small bilge compartments in the cabin sole. The one in the middle has a bilge pump in it, but because of the small space it doesn't sit all the way at the bottom, so there is always about 1" of...
  63. J

    Bilge pumps and check valves

    I recently purchased a 1985 32-3. The boat has two Rule 500 gph bilge pumps. One is in the shower bilge and one in the main bilge (the next bilge back). Both have check valves installed. The shower bilge gets a lot of water draining into it from the mast due to all the rain we get up here in the...
  64. obiwanrazzy

    Winter and wet bilge

    I'm wondering if anyone bothers to put anything in their bilges to guard against freezing. The "sump" portion of my E27 keel always has some water in it. Last year (before I had a boat), I noticed that our marina did freeze over when we had a nasty cold spell.. Since the water in the bilge is...
  65. M

    manual bilge pump on e27

    On my 1975 E27, there is a manual bilge pump built into the starboard berth. What puzzles me is that it pumps the water to a thru-hull that is below the water line. Seems really odd doesn't it? I've yet to have this boat in the water, and I'm not sure if I should trust this as a backup to...
  66. Ericsean

    E-38 Bilge & Shower Pump

    My 1980 E-38, # 3 has been modified from the original set up of a single diaphram pump to operate both the bilge & shower sump. The PO installed a rule pump with float switch in the bilge. While it seems as though all the bilge chambers have common drain ports, the water from the shower...
  67. H

    Water in bilge blower hose

    I discovered a puddle that was causing problems for my inlet fan that vents into the bilge. The water collected in-between the vent cowl and the fan. The hose was distended like it accumulated water over the last few weeks' thunderstorms. Is this a common problem? Will this cause problems...
  68. K

    HELP?? Diesel Fuel in Engine Bilge 38-200

    Hello All: After a couple months of elbow grease & TLC, we are on the 1st voyage on NAKESA, our new 1988 38-200 (with a Universal 32 hp), & have a perplexing problem. The engine bilge is filling with about 1" of liquid - pink in colour & a bit oily - could be diluted diesel - source is a...
  69. J

    Water in E25 bilge

    I've found water in the bilge under the head and forward sole access plates. However, there is no water under the rear sole access plate where the bilge pump pickup is found. Are there limber holes to move the water aft? If not, is there a way to get the water to the bilge pump? Again, thanks.
  70. Shadowfax

    Bilge Pump E34

    I arrived at the boat this weekend to find my bilge pump cooked. The style of pump on my "88 E34 is not the submersible type, but has a hose pick up in the bilge, the pump itself is mounted on the bulkhead in the engine compartment. I assume the motor itself is burned up [frozen] and that...
  71. jreddington

    1984 E-28 - Structure under bilge?

    Was installing a new bilge pump in the most forward of the small bilge compartments in my 1984 E-28. I had removed the screws which held the old pump base down and removed the old base. I hand pumped out the bilge and was sponging out the remainder when I noticed water weeping up though the two...
  72. Dferr

    Pictures of drain plugs in bilge

    Pictures <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Here's some pics of the plugs I was referring to. I checked for water again this weekend, there was very little. My first thought was maybe this was some sort of water ballast system. If anyone knows exactly...
  73. Steve

    Bilge pump float-switch question

    Any thoughts on how I can perhaps adjust my classic style Rule-A-Matic float switch to activate at lower water levels, or does anyone use a different in-bilge switch that functions better. We get rain water down the mast and the switch doesn't kick on until there is three or so inch's of water...
  74. Dferr

    Bilge drain plugs

    This weekend, I was cleaning the bilges in my new to me 1982 E-38, when I accidentally knocked out a drain plug down in the bilge. I had the bilge completely dry, when this plug came out, the amount of water coming in was alarming! Since the boat is in the water I was concerned. My wife thought...
  75. R

    Shared bilge pump discharges?

    The shower drain pump and the bilge pump share a thru-hull on my boat. They are joined with a T fitting. I am guessing that this is not optimum. I am thinking they should have dedicated thru-hulls. Issue is I already have plenty of holes in the transom. 2 cockpit drains, 2 propane locker...
  76. ChrisS

    Bilge Pump Recommendations

    As per Don Casey's advice, I'd like to install a small bilge pump (400 gph or smaller) with an internal float switch next to my 1800 gph Sureflo to dry my bilge out as much as possible. In addition drips from my stuffing box and the ice box, I'm still getting water in from my rudder stuffing box...
  77. D

    E27 bilge pump

    i'm upgrading the systems on my "new" E27, including the bilge pump. it's currently outfitted with a Rule 1500 gph model of indeterminate age and wear. it seems to work fine enough, but i'm planning to swap in a new one and keep the current one as a spare for emergencies. question: following...
  78. T

    bilge pump setup

    Hello everyone, its come time to fit an automatic bilge pump. Ive got an idea and was wondering if its the right thing to do or not. Is it possible to setup the bilge pump to run once there is a gallon or two of water in the bilge and then run until its empty? I was thinking of doing it...
  79. T

    Bilge keeps filling with water

    Hello please help, Ive just bought an ericson 29 and the bilge keeps filling with water. After a week the bilge was full half with water so I emptied the bilge and went out sailing and motoring for approx 4hrs. The next day I checked the bilge and it was 3/4's full again. Im beginning to get...
  80. V

    Mold? in the bilge.

    Our 35 Mk II sat unused for about 5 years before we purchased it and began the freshen up process. I noticed brown/rust colored smutch in the underseat and underberth lockers and assumed it was just years of dust and dirt. Yesterday when pulling some tools and boxes from under the hatches I...
  81. T

    Bilge full of Diesel/Leaking tank

    :boohoo: Went to the boat the other day to load up for a 10 day sail. :0305_frow When I opened the hatch I caught the faint odor of diesel but it was faint so didn't think much of it. That is until I opened the bilge hatch to open the engine cooling water through hull. My bilge was about 3"...
  82. L

    Bilge Question

    Being a new owner and learning by doing, I have discovered that my 1988 32-200 still has the two identical original PAR 37202 bilge pumps, one main and one for shower bilge. The main pump has NO float switch and is controlled on the main DC panel. The shower pump controller by a float switch...
  83. Jim Mobley

    Reliable Bilge Pump Switch?

    Just went to the boat last night and found the bilge pump had been running continuously due to a faulty float switch. Didn't have time to fix it, so I just left it off. So here's the question, who makes a reliable bilge pump switch? The bilge is relatively clean, the pump--a Rule 1500--runs...
  84. R

    Oil of some sort in the bilge..... Fuel tank leak?

    Hello All, Day before yesterday upon checking the bilge in my '83 E38 I found a very small amount, maybe an ounce or two of light honey colored oil sitting on top of the water in the aftmost bilge well. Seemed heavier than diesel fuel, not black like engine oil would be and not red like the...
  85. R

    Black bilge water?

    Hello All, My '83 E38 has some water in the bilge most of the time from rain water coming down the mast or the stuffing box seepage. Maybe 1/4" to 1/2" at most. The strange thing is the bilge water turns black, especially in the aft-most keel well. Any particular reason for this? Obviously...
  86. R

    E-26 1985 project: electric bilge installation

    Hi first time sailboat owner! I would like to add an electric bilge to secure my peace of mind between outtings. However, when I look at the lookouts in the floor there's little room to slip a 3/4" hose along side the present manual 1 1/2" bilge hose. Then as I traced that line the route...
  87. C

    Best Remote Bilge Switch ?

    I am in the process of changing over to a remote mounted diaphram bilge pump with new Bilge Switch. What is the HOT SetUp ? I have the ole Rule-A-Matic float switch and was looking at the new electronics :confused:
  88. G

    Manual Bilge Pump

    My 1988 E-28 has a manual bilge pump mounted vertically in the cockpit. It's a Whale, but I don't know the model number. It doesn't seem to have enough lift to pump from the bilge. (It blows air out of the transom outlet, but no bilge water) Is this pump rebuildable? Does anyone have the...
  89. B

    Bilge Pump Reccomendations??

    E-25- whale gusher pump (original?) works great- but also wanting a switchable electric bilge pump- (i.e. 'on', 'off', 'automatic')- recommendations?
  90. R

    Bilge pump upgrades

    Hello All, I am looking to upgrade my bilge pump in my 1983 E38. If you have this style of boat with the TAFG grid it doesn't leave a whole lot of room to fit a larger blige pump down into that cramped space between keelbolts. Also the TAFG grid has molded in pass-thru's for hoses that don't...
  91. M

    Filling the bilge sump on E-29

    Hi all . It's noted the deep sump on the aft of the keel on E-29s is a weak point . I am looking at filling mine and am looking at options in material. Foam was the first thought but then I considered cement as it is used in a lot of keels with an epoxy cap on it . The slight added ballast...
  92. J

    cannot hear blower and no bilge pump

    Hi I am still in the process of getting everything ironed out on my recently purchased 1974 e27..when i first went to look at the boat i checked both the bilge pump and the blower (both worked) neither seem to be working now...first stupid question where is the fan that draws the air out of...
  93. Jeff Asbury

    Bilge Cleaners, What works?

    Bilge Cleaners, What works? I serviced my bilge pump over the weekend and found a lot of sludge that was like oil. I thought the mechanic that installed the pump 4 years ago would have said how bad it was when he put in the pump. Anyway I found all sorts of goodies, fishing lures...
  94. N

    86 E32-3 Bilge System, What drains where?

    Hello, I am busy working to get this newly acquired E32-3 into shape and the bilge system is confounding me for sure. I think I understand the mast/shower drain bilge. But the 4 sections forward of that just don't seem to drain correctly. Starting at the engine sump, I dump a gallon or 2 of...
  95. clohman

    Sub bilge?

    On my 1986 32', my shower bilge appears to drain into the main bilge through an inboard 1.5" hole beneath the teak grate in the head. Upon closer inspection, however, when adding antifreeze to the shower bilge, I could not detect the "purple stuff" draining into either the mast bilge or the...
  96. A

    Bilge coat paint

    I reviewed Seans head replacement project and have a question concerning the bilge coat paint. How clean is clean enough? My 71 E29 has areas that were not painted originally and I have areas that were painted, but no matter how much I scrub, it stills has mold/mildew stains. Will the paint...
  97. D

    No sump for bilge

    Our 1985 E-32 has a smoothly curved hull with no distinct low-point. With no sump to trap bilge water, the water migrates all over the place when we heel the boat. Has anyone figured out a way to trap the quart or so of water that the pump can't catch?
  98. F

    Okay, so I'm trying to figure out why my bilge pump isn't working...

    so I get down and I got my nose in the bilge and the muck and grim (not to mention the smell) is making me gag, and for the life of me I can't seem to find the friggin float switch. This is on an Ericson 27 by the way, even a friend of mine who owns an Ericson 32 is helping me and he can't...
  99. B

    bilge pump recommendations??

    besides the original manual bilge pump- any recommendations on one, or more, small electric pumps? and wire to... where, 'spare' fuse? are there 12v cigarette lighter adapter types available? (hey, that socket ought to be used for something!) brian smith homer, ak
  100. M

    bilge pumps...35 MKII

    My bilge pump is likely seeing it's last days and I'm likely going to replace it soon. While at it, I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to install a second independent pump, and/or an engine driven pump. The bilge area is rather limited. The current pump is mounted below my sink in the...
Top