Second bilge vs T handle garboard drain

[KyleRass41]

Thoughts on which would be better? I like both ideas. Obviously T handle would be cheaper and faster but I do have left over 1 1/8 or 1.25 ballast hoses and was thinking of doing check valves and tie into the existing bilge outlet. Might have to buy adapters but I would think it would be possible?

Thanks!

[talltigeguy]

A bilge pump never gets all of the water out. It will sit a little bit off of the floor and leave a fair amount of water in there.

I assume that you are trying to get all of the water out of the boat with the boat in the garage. The convex hull is a bear that way. I used to stop on a really steep hill when I really wanted to get all of the water out and then lift the tongue up as high as I could with the jack. Most of the time I wouldn't worry about it, it won't hurt anything.

I have a garage and sometimes put a fan on with the engine compartment open and the air circulation will dry out the bilge if you live in a dry enough environment. It takes a day or so to get it to bone dry, but we often have 10% humidity around here. 40% is muggy.

[KyleRass41]

That's exactly what I've been doing. For us it's the way it sits in our driveway. The highest I can crank up the tongue puts it about level. So when it rains it fills up the center pretty good.

[KyleRass41]

Cover has lost most of it's water repellant.

[KyleRass41]

Cover has lost most of it's water repellant.

[bsreid]

Put in a drain plug if it’s gonna be on your driveway. Then do yourself a favour and go buy some 303 fabric guard.

[IDBoating]

I've been arguing with myself about this question too. My difference is that our 24Ve lives on a boat lift over the lake all season, not on a trailer. I wouldn't leave the plug out of course, but it's just one more hole in the bottom of the hull.

There are some bilge pumps marketed under the "Whale" brand that claim to get the water down to 1/8th inch. Granted that can still be a lot of water volume but at least it's better than most standard bilge pumps.

Another approach would be a small flexible vane impeller pump with a hose that is held close to the hull surface. That would "suck" the bilge dry down to the level of the opening between the hose and hull. You'd want to operate that one manually, though, to protect the impeller. Think of it as not so much of a bilge pump as a "get it as dry as possible" pump for the end of the day. I actually do that right now with a shopvac, this would just make it a whole lot easier.

[KyleRass41]

Good idea. I'll do some thinking!!!

[da_kernel]

Second bilge vs T handle garboard drain

I’m leaning closer to a t-handle... i just have to bring my self to drilling a hole in the hull. It’ll probally happen this winter.

most other branded boats have t-handles stock from factory

ive been pumping the excess water out this summer and its kind of annoying as you describe. i’ve been using my fatsac pump/hose. it takes about 30 seconds.

[Ochrod]

I would do a second bilge in the low area. At least I keep telling myself that as it would get the majority out. Right now I just use a shop vac at end of year and let dry out.