forward bilge pump

[oldboat1]

ordered a non submersible pump from Harbor Freight to replace the system that was in the boat three or four years ago when I bought it. A hose and strainer were part of the system, and I'm going back to that -- want to get more water out of the hollow keel. Actually, it's the bilge water in the engine compartment that I would like to completely get out if I can, and I see from a couple of prior posts that the aft section(s) likely drain forward ('80 F26). After rains, I've just been pumping it out with the center bilge pump -- not talking huge amounts, but think I might be able to do a little better.

So comments welcome. Additionally, I've never located the shower drain pump -- switch is in the head next to the water pump switch, but either the switch or the pump is not working. I never use the shower, but should check out the pump.

[zedtwentyate]

I hear you with wanting to get more water out of the engine compartment. He rain fills her up quick and I hate that the front and rear bilge don't quite do the job. I have a small submersible that I use after it rains. I just hook it up and run a hose into a bucket. Then, over the rail and out of the pail. It's clearly not the most efficient method. This winter I plan of finding a better solution.

As far as the shower pump, mine is mounted right in front of my waste tank on the starboard side of the compartment. I assumed it was a pump for the waste, but finally realized it was not. There's a switch on my power panel that is dedicated to only the shower pump and then a switch in the head.

Hope that helps at least one of you issues...my boat is an 86 f-27, which is basically the same as your f-26

[oldboat1]

appreciated. Any advice on accessing the shower drain pump? sounds like I need to look for a way under the shower pan/floor. Interesting info on switches -- have the push/pull switch in the head that is labelled "pump", presumably the shower drain, but also have at least one extra bilge pump switch on my control panel.

sometimes been doing something similar to what you describe in the engine compartment bilge -- use a wet/dry vac to get it. The bilge pump in the compartment works OK, but doesn't get it quite dry. If the bilge water is supposed to drain forward, I want to see if I can make sure the drain route isn't blocked and I can get it dry or almost dry from there.

don't know if the hose and strainer system for the keel was factory installed (cheap pump probably was a replacement, but I'm just going to put in a similar one. Actually, the same model.)