bilge pumps

[jimsbuddy]

Hello all.
My boat has no bilge pump in it... its an 18' older Starcraft. It does take on some water, so I was thinking I should put a pump in it. Must have had one at one time because there is a port sticking out the back right side of the boat. Do I just buy a bilge pump and put it at the bottom of the hull in the rear??? Do they have a float on them to auto start, or do I just hit a switch ever so often and run the pump???

thx

[dixiefisher]

I am not too familiar with the Starcraft...but, do you have an access hatch towards the stern of the boat, where the bilge area would be?...this is where you would install a pump...as far as the auto VS switching, these are two styles of pumps, it'll be your choice but, either way you will also need to wire it to your battery.
You mentioned a port at the stern, if there was a pump there previously, then hopefully the "plumbing" is still there to attach directly to the pump. If not, then you will need to add this as well. Some people I know, just run the tubing out over the transom as a temporary solution. I personally like have it plumbed in a more permanent fashion.
Then if you are installing a pump with a manual switch, you would wire the switch in at the console. Hope this gets you started in the right direction!

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Is it an inboard or outboard, I too have an 18' Starcraft outboard boat and it took on a little water but when it filled with rain one time i was able to find most of the leaks and cure the problem there, If its an outboard i can show you a pic of mine , where i have my bilge.










MD

[jimsbuddy]

Is it an inboard or outboard, I too have an 18' Starcraft outboard boat and it took on a little water but when it filled with rain one time i was able to find most of the leaks and cure the problem there, If its an outboard i can show you a pic of mine , where i have my bilge.

Yup Yup, its an outboard.. the stern has a cover over it... kind of, so theres no real access to the lower part of the transum. its covered with sheeting. Only access I know of is if I pull up the little curtin and pull out the fuel tank and could reach back. I will have to look a little closer and see about access. Yes I'd love to see some pics of what you have... thx

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Mine has sliding doors to access the fuel and bilge area, There was an existing bilge pump in there when i bought the boat and it drained to the top part of the transom so i added a thru hull and installed a new pump, mine works off a switch on my helm, one day i might add an auto but for now it doesnt take on any water so im staying with the one. I have been slowely taking this boat apart peice by peice and redoing it, its gonna be sharp when im all said and done.

[Don't fish e nuff]

I have an 18ft 1982 Starcraft I/O so I know about leaks. Don't get me wrong, I love this boat. It seems like about once a year I will get a leak and it has allways turned out to be a rivit that has popped the head off. You can get what are called "blind" rivits to repair the ones that pop off. I just make sure everything is very clean and dry and put a dab of silicon in the hole before putting in the rivet. I'm not sure if that is the "proper" way to fix them but hey, I have had the boat for nine years and have never fixed the same one twice. I have a bilge pump in mine on a toggle switch and float switch.

[jimsbuddy]

I have an 18ft 1982 Starcraft I/O so I know about leaks. Don't get me wrong, I love this boat. It seems like about once a year I will get a leak and it has allways turned out to be a rivit that has popped the head off. You can get what are called "blind" rivits to repair the ones that pop off. I just make sure everything is very clean and dry and put a dab of silicon in the hole before putting in the rivet. I'm not sure if that is the "proper" way to fix them but hey, I have had the boat for nine years and have never fixed the same one twice. I have a bilge pump in mine on a toggle switch and float switch.

Hey thanks guys for the thoughts... mine is a 76 starcraft and as DONT FISH E NUFF said I also love mine... I wouldnt mind swapping out the late model 50hp yamaha for a 115hp, but other than that I love it
MADDIES DADDY, my rear is a little diff than yours. I have two jump seats in the back on each side and a single metal tank that is removable. So I need to pull the tank and see if I too have the little space you have...

Mine really dosent leak that bad. but in my opinion, a boat that has a bottom needs a pump. I cant just scoup it out like I do in little 14' dingy fish boat...

[Tinman]

I suggest a manually-activated pump. The problem with float-actuated pumps is you may not know when they go on, or how often they go on. If you have a semi-serious leak, the pump may cycle on and off so much it drains your battery. It also hides the leak. When the battery runs down, all of a sudden you have a real problem.

[jimsbuddy]

Good point Tinman... didnt think of that, but out on the lake all day fishing, hit the starter and "click click" not a pretty sound