DIY Dry Bilge

[Midnightsun]

One of my boating friends told me about a dry bilge pump system he purchased like this.

https://www.amazon.ca/Seaflo-SEAFLO-Dry-Bilge-System/dp/B07V4G41K4/ref=asc_df_B07V4G41K4/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=578819718393&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8773907024953505773&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000604&hvtargid=pla-813999341414&psc=1

After reading the reviews, there were simply too many failures so I searched a little more and came to this DIY solution. Which will be more reliable and if something were to fail it can be fixed for a very low cost and rather quickly.

https://lifeempirically.com/2018/03/12/ ... ge-system/

I have 4 bilges, the 3 forward ones are always bone dry however the rear one always has a bit of standing water in it so this should fix that for good. Will post back with my build and parts for others that may be interested in doing the same or similar to suit their needs. With todays increased prices, I expect the final product to cost about $125 cdn.

[Alaska 530 Voyager]

I installed the "Arid Bilge System" on my boat. I love it. Quiet and low power consumption. Bilge is bone dry all the time now. I always had standing water before. It was fast and easy to install.

[Midnightsun]

Yes the Arid system is great from what I have read however it is in the $1,000 range for something similar to what I want to install.
https://www.aridbilgesystems.com/

[Phrancus]

I like that DIY idea! A few changes and I can use it too:

- pump into a holding cannister with an overflow. No discharging overboard from an area where oil may concentrate (environmental hazard with consequences, imagine arriving at the marina an finding your boat is the cause of a colorfull water surface...)

- suction end of the hose perhaps an aquarium airing block will do the job while not clogging up

- I've seen sponges with a mesh around it (for more abrasivness) that may keep larger debris out plus protect the suction thing from deteriorating sponge material. Type of sponge will differ too, especially its capability of withstanding petroleum based fluids. It doesn't have to be very high density either, in fact, the one in the pictures filters too much for that pump I think. That pump can handle more and thus needs less filtering and thus less maintenance.

- the abrasive part of the sponge can be bought separately too, if not in the household world, then in the workshop areas. A larger part could be used to make its filtering function work around the sponge too. In fact, if the aquarium block works, it may be possible to leave the yellow sponge out. annual block replacement and done.

- make a small box with that abrasive stuff in it, use the lid to position the suction block, add some holes in the bottom/side. Fixate to the hull with a spring or clip and servicing is a breeze.

oh dear, another todo to the list, but this one seems more fun and very rewarding

[Viper]

I've been contemplating a DIY solution also. Water from the shaft logs always collects at the bow and if I want to keep it clear I need to haul out the wet vac. It's not high on my priority but it's on my list for sure. I I'm considering a "smart" design but don't know that I really need one. It takes quite a long time for water to collect and it's easy enough for me to simply activate it manually as needed but looking at all the options. I prefer separate serviceable components too rather than a compact unit.

[Phrancus]

I just realized that we used to have an AC in the home that was mounted lower than the drain. That little pump had a mini sump. Filthy expensive for what it was and it made an annoying sound (in the night, although considered super silent in the rest of the world apparently) so I changed it all to a somewhat complex drain to a sink's drain.

with clean - spongebob filtered water - that thing should run fine.

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post I've been contemplating a DIY solution also. Water from the shaft logs always collects at the bow and if I want to keep it clear I need to haul out the wet vac. It's not high on my priority but it's on my list for sure. I I'm considering a "smart" design but don't know that I really need one. It takes quite a long time for water to collect and it's easy enough for me to simply activate it manually as needed but looking at all the options. I prefer separate serviceable components too rather than a compact unit.

My plan is to simply use a timer which one can program to come on and turn off after whatever one chooses. Figure I would have it come on every 2 days or so for a few minutes during the day so the noise would not be intrusive compared to when one is sleeping at night. Not that it would be loud but even a small unusual noise at night can be bothersome/worrisome. This is what I have ordered. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01MRWKVM0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Viper]

That looks like a decent timer, good reviews overall anyway. You take on enough water to have it come on every two days? Where is the water coming from back there, or is it running aft from midships? Thought you would have dripless shaft seals for prop shafts and rudders or is it coming from something else?

[Midnightsun]

You take on enough water to have it come on every two days?

Not at all, in fact the rear bilge pump never comes on or at least I have never heard it. I have seen the bilge pump switch light come on when going onto plane maybe twice a season at best which I assume is the water running back and being able to activate the float switch however this only lasts for a few seconds so not much water there. guess I am trying to say there is never a lot of water in there, just enough to bother me. I would venture to say there are a few litres in there now.

Could probably get by with once a week or more but I guess I figure why not suck up the ounce of water if it is there that is. My only thought would be a very slow leak on a rudder shaft seal. Never got into one of these so I really do not understand them or know how to correct this just yet. Has been like this since I got the boat and has not gotten worse over the 8 years.

Unfortunately you need a long thin articulated person to get close the the rudders on my boat, my gut will never make it.

[Viper]

BTW, I like the sponge idea because it'll create a wicking action even if water isn't right up against it. I don't think you'll get that same action from a solid or mesh type product between cycles. They're also readily available, can get them in multi packs, and they don't cost much which is important as I suspect they'll need to be replaced periodically depending on the condition of the bilge.

In the article, they discharge the water overboard through a separate hull fitting from what I gather but I'd be pumping it into my forward shower sump. I treat the sump periodically and my bilge is clean so I'm not worried about nasty bilge stuff going in there. The location of the dry bilge pump system will also be close to the sump so it'll be a much easier install than discharging separately over the side.

I don't see how they've secured the pickup in the bilge. I'd be utilizing the top screws of the sponge plate to secure it to the bottom of an L bracket and mount the bracket to a floor board I have at the bow.