Whats your winter project

[mlc20]

Im planning this winter to install led lights, a new fishfinder gps, and probably create some type of rod storage. Whats your winter projects?

 

[BradV]

go to the bahamas and catch some wahoo.

 

[Uncle Matt]

Dumping my bit<hy girlfriend and upgrading to someone younger....

 

[Brent]

go fishing, install boat stands, add boat cover (tarp only), install GPS/FF, go fishing, go sight seeing, travel on ICW, install new antenna, try to repair roof mounted horns, wash and wax, remove paint around drain and remove drain plug and buy a spare, dream of retirement

 

[DaleH]

Saving for Suzuki 250hp 4-stroke! C'mon market, c'mon stocks ... rebound, rebound ye' ba$$tards!

OK, and maybe add a matchstick mahogany transom overlay ... Mongo likes brightwork!

 

[Megabyte]

Most of my projects have been completed over time, but I am considering a set of underwater transom lights. 8)

 

[JTR]

Upgrade chartplotter (been looking hard at a Garmin 5212).

Free fall windless.

Second VHF.

Add backup bilge pump.

 

[DougP]

add second bilge pump and high water alarm

PLB

more led lights

Uncle Matt Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dumping my bit<hy girlfriend and upgrading to someone younger....


post a pic of the old one so we can avoid her :mrgreen:

 

[ray]

Build boathouse first!
Add trailer guides and bunks to make loading easier
Sand down and paint hull from rub rail down
Sand down and paint cockpit floor with some kind of non-skid
Install leaning post/livewell/tackle center combo
Add more rod holders
Ok, there's no end to it.

 

[Megabyte]

Ok, there's no end to it.

Well, there is... eventually.
The major stuff will get done over the years as time and money allow.
The minor stuff.. you're right. There is no end to it.

But that's half the fun of ownership!

 

[Parkerman]

Uncle Matt Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dumping my bit<hy girlfriend and upgrading to someone younger....


post a pic of the old one so we can avoid her Mr. Green


AND A PICTURE OF THE NEW ONE SO WE CAN CHECK HER OUT!! 8)

 

[FishPimp]

Dumping my bit<hy girlfriend and upgrading to someone younger....

Do it Matt!
I did it and now I can go fishingn whenever I want. The new one even likes Tuna fishing! Shoulda done it years ago!
life is way too short for a bit(hy girlfriend!
As far as winter projects are concerned I dont know what else I can put on my boat. Maybe some new rod holders and throw out the grocco raw water washdown and get a cheap one?

 

[ultrasport]

Custom livewell and raw water wash on my 2120 SC

 

[DaleH]

add second bilge pump and high water alarm

BOTH of those should be 1st & foremost on anyone's TO DO list!

FWIW a new 34' Intrepid CC sank in literally seconds out on Stellwagen Bank this year as the owner failed to notice that a livewell hose had broken off, there was no high water alarm, and the boat only had 1 bilge pump!

 

[Parkerman]

Are there any previous posts........or would anyone like to post a description of how to install a high water alarm and second pump? I have niether.
Can you yoke the two discharge hoses together?
Should you use the same flaot?
Should it have a float switch or just a dash switch?
If you have a "smaller" pump as your primary what size should the secondary be?
Is a high water alarm a self contained unit or is there an alarm that goes on your dash somewhere?

 

[pelagic2530]

Are there any previous posts........or would anyone like to post a description of how to install a high water alarm and second pump? I have niether.
Can you yoke the two discharge hoses together?

no. there should be 2 separate discharges, because if one pump engages and the other does not, the water can simply flow back down and through the non running pump. also, if both are running, the hose will not be sufficient to handle the discharge from both pumps.

Should you use the same flaot?

no. both pumps should also have separate switches, in case one malfunctions.

Should it have a float switch or just a dash switch?

Ideally, yes. but, if for some reason you elect not to use a second float switch, then a high water alarm is a MUST. no use in having a bilge pump that needs to be activated manually if you dont know the water's getting high.

If you have a "smaller" pump as your primary what size should the secondary be?

Again, ideally as large as possible. depends on how much you want to spend, etc. also, keep in mind that some pump "canisters" can be changed out in terms of outlet hose diameter and mounting base, and others cant. make sure you have the correct diameter of outlet hose/thruhull for whatever pump you select.

Is a high water alarm a self contained unit or is there an alarm that goes on your dash somewhere?

it can be alot of things. there are packaged products that run off a float switch mechanism, that when the switch trips, a light/audible alarm on a dash panel go off. ive also seen a system wherein the float switch is simply wired to an LED light on the dash, and the switch just lights up the LED. it depends on whether you want to do it yourself or buy a ready-to-install package.

:wink:
[/b]

 

[gray duck]

could you just wire an audible alarm to the bilge pump so when it goes on automatically the alarm sounds and you could have a silence switch to shut it off or on?? I agree with Dale that two pumps should be mandatory just for backup reasons but if you have a 6 inch hole in the hull two or three pumps won't keep up. Eveyone should have a nerf football onboard to stuff in such a hole. Then the pumps might stand a chance.

 

[DaleH]

I agree with Dale that two pumps should be mandatory just for backup reasons but if you have a 6 inch hole in the hull two or three pumps won't keep up.

:shock: :shock: :shock: 6" hole? You're dead! :shock: :shock: :shock:

A 2" hole 1' below the waterline will let in ~78-gallons per minute. That is 4680 gallons per hour! Plus, at typical 8.5 pounds per gallon for saltwater, that is 663 POUNDS PER MINUTE being added to the boat. Holy s#$t that's a ton of weight!

My current rig has 3 bilge pumps in the stern, plus the high water alarm. One 1500gph pump on auto discharges out the port-side of the boat. This is backed by a storm pump, on manual switch, of 2200gph that discharges out the starboard-side. This idea (thought of it myself too!) allows me to pump water out even if the boat heels to one side or the other somewhat. Both of these pumps is further backed by my livewell/washdown pump that is plumbed off the seacock to a 3-way valve [got this idea from inboard motor 'crash' pumps to the cooling intake) that can draw from the seacock or the bilge, and discharges out the port-side (or anywhere, with washdown hose added) thus adding another 1200gph capacity, for a total of 4900gph.

At least in theory ... YOU will lose a good 15-20% of that if you used internally-ribbed hose sold as "bilge pump hose" from the boat stores. I use internal SMOOTH-bored hose only. You'll also lose some oommmppphhhh from any voltage loss. Adding it up, with another 1500gph below my helm up forward, on an auto-switch, and it looks like my rig could just survive a 2" holing. Yikes :shock: ! ... and I bet MOST boats aren't rigged anywhere near like mine either.

 

[Megabyte]

This might get you started...
http://www.classicparker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=64

FWIW, I replaced the solid state switches used in that project post with a set of Water Witch 101 solid state switches.
Do a search on the projects forum for more info on bilge pumps that you may care to read.

Good luck!

 

[grouperjim]

what's winter? lol