Taking on water

D

Dave Sharkey

New member
I recently bought my first C-dory. I've been wanting one for several years and finally have it. It's a 1985 22' Angler with an 1986 70 horse 2 cycle engine. Also, I am taking the Coast Guard Auxiliary class to improve my seamanship. I didn't realize it before but I really need the class. I had no idea how much is going on out on the water.

As I am in a big learning curve I have several questions. This seems to be the perfect place to get the answers. I've been reading several of the forums and have learned a lot. I do have one question though that I haven't seen anything on yet.

What is the best way to get water out of the aft part of the boat? I believe I could remove the drain plugs and increase the speed but what if rough seas prevent you from traveling fast enough to get the water out? Is there some way to install a bilge pump? It doesn't seem very feasible since the deck of the boat is all flat. This may seem like a stupid questions but I would like to be prepared for as this if I started taking on water for some reason... God forbid.
 
Hi Dave,

No stupid questions here. Indeed the older boats (up to the mod 2000s) have no cockpit liner -- so we indeed just install our bilge pumps flat in the cockpit sole (floor).

Many of us have two independently wired pumps-- I have one next to the cabin door (believe it or not it is out of the way -- haven't tripped on it yet) and one aft next to the transom (and under the motor well).

(I also have a handheld pump, a sponge, and a bucket just in case :shock: )

The trick is to locate the low point and treat it as a sump. My boat has a sump glassed into the sole. Search the archives as there is a lot of dicussion.

I would surely not recommend running the boat without the cockpit plug securely in place.

Congrats on the new boat!

Matt
 
Dave,

Something I have been considering as an addition is a Whale Gusher pump, mounted on the side of the hull, under the gunnel pockets. It would have a pickup down between the fuel tanks, and be plumbed to a through hull about the same height as the sink drain and the current bilge. These pumps move a lot of water.

To mount it, I would probably glue (3M 5200?) a piece of marine plywood under the gunnel pocket, then screw the pump to the wood.

I think there are a couple of boats in the Brats that are already set up like this.

Steve
 
If there is not a small bilge pump aft, by the plug, you can put one there, and either have a float switch or turn it on manually. The Rule type of contrifical pumps will not get all of the water out. Ether a manual "Whale" diaphragm type of pump or an electric diaphragm pump will use a bronze foot pick up, which will get all but maybe 1/8" of water. The Sponge and bilge pump is certainly the cheapest way to go.
 
Wandering Sagebrush":12oa9f55 said:
Something I have been considering as an addition is a Whale Gusher pump, mounted on the side of the hull, under the gunnel pockets. It would have a pickup down between the fuel tanks, and be plumbed to a through hull about the same height as the sink drain and the current bilge. These pumps move a lot of water.

To mount it, I would probably glue (3M 5200?) a piece of marine plywood under the gunnel pocket, then screw the pump to the wood.
Click to expand...

Steve, did you make this mod? How did it work out for you? (I did not see photos in your album.)

Warren
 
Doryman":2de2h3p9 said:
Wandering Sagebrush":2de2h3p9 said:
Something I have been considering as an addition is a Whale Gusher pump, mounted on the side of the hull, under the gunnel pockets. It would have a pickup down between the fuel tanks, and be plumbed to a through hull about the same height as the sink drain and the current bilge. These pumps move a lot of water.

To mount it, I would probably glue (3M 5200?) a piece of marine plywood under the gunnel pocket, then screw the pump to the wood.
Click to expand...

Steve, did you make this mod? How did it work out for you? (I did not see photos in your album.)

Warren
Click to expand...

Warren, this is a project for next spring... I haven't done anything as of yet.
 
I think most of the 22's have a bilge pump mounted between the fuel tanks. I know mine had one there from the factory, and I had the dealer install a second, wired directly to the battery, as a backup.

We don't trailer the C-Dory, but I've definitely forgotten to put all the plugs in the Whaler before it was launched (there are 5 plugs!). On that boat it was no big deal...we simply took it out and ran it up on plane. All the water drained out and the plug was put in while on plane.

I don't think I'd try this on a C-Dory unless it was an emergency. The Whaler can fill completely with water and still keep the powerhead of the outboard above the water, the C-Dory can't.

Install a bilge pump or two, and use a sponge for any remaining water, or look into any of the many ways of raising the cockpit floor above any water that the pump can't get rid of. And welcome to the C-Brats!
 
I would not be concerned about the flat mount as any speed underway will cause all the cockpit water to run back there anyway. The gentlemen above have the good suggestions about mounting options.

Welcome to the club!
 
Another handy tool if you want to stay simple is a dinghy bailer such as:

Link

Its flat scoop picks up more of the water than a bucket, and it's quick. You can then use a sponge for the last little bit.
 
As a dual use device on SleepyC :moon we carry a bucket. Special shape (Rectangular) "Costco" Bulk laundry soap origin, to do the same thing, get the flat side down and pick up a lot of water if needed. Also fits well under the V-Birth in the porta potty cave.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
20dauntless":3osglmbe said:
On that boat it was no big deal...we simply took it out and ran it up on plane. All the water drained out and the plug was put in while on plane.

I don't think I'd try this on a C-Dory unless it was an emergency.
Click to expand...

I've pulled the plug on the C-Dory while underway on plane and it worked very well for eliminating water. That is just one more reason why I insert the plug from the INSIDE.

(A number of years back we had one of several discussions about "innie" or "outee" placement of plugs and I don't recall this being one of the reasons).
 
DaveS":2vwku6oe said:
20dauntless":2vwku6oe said:
On that boat it was no big deal...we simply took it out and ran it up on plane. All the water drained out and the plug was put in while on plane.

I don't think I'd try this on a C-Dory unless it was an emergency.
Click to expand...

I've pulled the plug on the C-Dory while underway on plane and it worked very well for eliminating water. That is just one more reason why I insert the plug from the INSIDE.

(A number of years back we had one of several discussions about "innie" or "outee" placement of plugs and I don't recall this being one of the reasons, so add this reason for the side of "innie" :wink ).
Click to expand...
 
Even if you are an "outie" type of guy, I think it is a good idea to have a spare plug on a cord on the "innie" side, just in case of a failure or early morning brain freeze.
 
cemiii":37fmud4k said:
Even if you are an "outie" type of guy, I think it is a good idea to have a spare plug on a cord on the "innie" side, just in case of a failure or early morning brain freeze.
Click to expand...

Even though I'm an "innie", I still have a spare plug dangling from a cord near the drain plug. (Plus another spare in with my spare parts kit).
 
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