Bilge pump addition?

[Mike Harry]

Ron, you and I were talking about keeping my bilge as dry as possible because of not running a plate on the bottom of my bellhousing and water getting into the flywheel area.

I was looking at the boat and I am thinking about putting a second bilge pump at the transom of the boat. That way I can turn it on (or it will run automatically when sensing water) while underway and the ass end of the boat is dipped lowest in the lake, keeping as much out of the bilge as possible.

Is this overkill? Do you see any issues besides the elephant in the room of having to pop a hole for an extra dump? Where would be the best place to put the dump?

Ive been breaking in the motor slowly and have had a little water in the bilge from time to time. after running with the motor box cover off and the center section out of the floor this seems to be a no brainer easy way to keep as much water out of the bilge as possible as any water in the bilge runs to the transom whenever the throttle is applied.

[coeperc]

Could you tie into the tube for the main bilge dump, or would that be too long of a run?  That would eliminate extra hole drilling.

-Matt

[backfoot100]

Trying to plumb it into the existing pump outlet would not only be pumping it a long way but you're also pumping it all uphill in the conditions you describe. I wouldn't recommend that but I'm certainly not an expert in that regard.
Just put it out the transom or out the side right next to the transom. Mount it higher up near the rub rail and it wouldn't look out of place at all.

[Midskier]

Mike - add a second one - have no fear drilling a hole
transom bilge pumps are often well used by footers and active skiers
DO NOT plumb it with the original pump all it will do then is pump water from the rear to front.
water will take the path of last resistance

Dan T

[Mike Harry]

Oh I'm not scared of doing it. Just wondering if anyone had any heartache stories about doing it wrong or in the wrong place.

Up under rub rail on the back corner is where I planned on doing it.

and for the record I had though about running a pipe up front to the other bilge line with a set of check valves (one in front of each pump) but have studied it and found nothing but negative comments as far as using checks in a bilge dump line. I WOULD MUCH RATHER DO IT THIS WAY. I have some very nice check ball inline valves I wanted to use we keep in line at work for sodium hypochloride................ I know they would work perfectly, but for some reason every manufacturer and person I have seen says NO NO NO to checks in a bilge line.

[RonT]

If adding a transom bilge pump I would place the discharge in the transom, not the aft hull side. Certain speeds can cause water to push its way into the discharge fitting there and push water into the bilge.

[Mike Harry]

That's why I asked. Thanks Ron.