Bilge pump discharge

[Pugcat]

Hi, We have recently bought a Wauquiez Amphitrite that needs some work so we are going through the systems one at a time.
I have come to the bilge pumps and we have two electric pumps, one high up in the engine bay and the other in the workshop. These are not submersible pumps but rather have a long hose that goes down into the bilge. They look pretty ancient but work currently. We also have two manual pumps, one in the cockpit and one in the workshop.

My concern is that the engine bay electric and workshop manual pumps both discharge through very long hoses that run all the way under the cabin sole to two thru-hulls near the rudder quadrant, under the bed in the aft cabin. These thru-hulls are a few inches below the waterline and have no seacocks on them - seems very dodgy so I would like to improve things but my skill level is more of a “can swap out a broken thing” rather than “can redesign the whole system” level.

Can anyone advise if this setup is common, maybe describe their setup and where your bilge pumps exit etc. Pictures would be great too.

Thank you.

[Mirage35]

Hey, I'll start - mine is probably as "typical" as it gets.

Submersible electric and manual pump, both at the lowest point of the bilge, hoses that run half the length of the boat and discharge on the transom well above the water line.

Your system sounds very risky for the reasons you cite.

[tkeithlu]

OK. Simple level repair, if "repair" can include replacing a bad design.

Obtain two plastic through hull fittings the right size for your hose.

https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Thru-H...45839340&psc=1

Locate two new holes well above the waterline and near your pumps. Drill, clean up, install through hulls, bed in 3M 5200.

If your discharge locations may be underwater on some tacks, run the discharge hose up to the top of the hull and then back down to the through hulls. Add stainless steel hose clamps.

Test by adding water to the bilge.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

OK. Simple level repair, if "repair" can include replacing a bad design.

Obtain two plastic through hull fittings the right size for your hose.

https://www.amazon.com/SEAFLO-Thru-H...45839340&psc=1

Locate two new holes well above the waterline and near your pumps. Drill, clean up, install through hulls, bed in 3M 5200.

If your discharge locations may be underwater on some tacks, run the discharge hose up to the top of the hull and then back down to the through hulls. Add stainless steel hose clamps.

Test by adding water to the bilge.

I would add to that, that if your hull is cored, you need to cut back the core around the holes you drill, and fill in with epoxy -- carefully following an approved procedure.

[Tomodore]

we also have reasonably long hose runs aft, but above water line. Since sailing to weather can result in the rail being nearly awash I decided against bilge pump fitting there, Aft even in following seas the fitting does not stay submerged. Check water line when motoring since that is when stern is lowest. I increased hose size on my big pump just after the pump to reduce back pressure. My small lower nuisance pump has small hose so when it cycles off not much water returns.