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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Re: bildge drains
Posted By: Capt. Dave Kosh In Response To: Re: bildge drains (Walter Kaprielian)
Date: Wednesday, 18 May 2005, at 9:47 a.m.
Phil in earlier discussions on this same matter some have elected to seal off the drain hole from the cabin bulkhead to the area under the walkway. However an emergency plug was installed there to pull in event of neeeding to drain that area. I have a seperate bilge pump that never runs under the birth under my fresh water tank (18 Gal )to bail in the event it takes on water there. Believe me when you take on water at a good rate bilge pumps will not save you.They are meant for minor leaks and will work fine for that. They will buy you a little more time however in a major leak.This discussion evolved from a post a charter boat out of Norfolk hitting a submerged shipping container in the dark at cruise speed. It ripped the bow open at water line and it took on a lot of water. It was saved due to that compartment being contained off. It was towed in backwards via the stern and all personel were saved. So this is a real case where that has some merrit but depending on each hull and how much water it will hold up there before it's buoyancy is lost will vary. Most will stay afloat. All I can say from personel experience is "keep your bilges clean" In a bad leak situation all water rushes to the stern and with it takes all debris under the fuel tank or tanks to the intakes of the bilge pumps usually clogging them. I know I've been there with a stuffing box comming loose. Keep a ditch bag, epirb in there if you have one and a hanheld VHF in a plastic freezer bag. A little off track but relavent to plugging that hole up. Pros and cons. Check your bilge pumps regularly and clean them also.They pop off to clean any debris around the impeller. Fishing line loves it there.If you close it have a removeable plug for an emergency! Dave K
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