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Author Topic:   Bilge pump 18 Outrage

wildeone posted 12-23-2000 10:11 AM ET (US)
Anyone got any ideas on mounting or not mounting a bilge pump in the sump on an Outrage. Plan on leaving my boat on a mooring this year opposed to trailering.
Does the "pull the bow locker and back plug" theroy work to drain water or should a bilge pump be installed?
Erick
maverick posted 12-23-2000 11:14 AM ET (US)
I have an 85 18.6 Outrage, and when moored, i just pull the rear plug and leave out. It will take on a few cups of water, and in a torrential rain, water just runs out. Cool design. The front plug I leave in and keep that dry, as wet conditions continuously can rot an anchor line. In havey rain, water won't get in it as there is a lip around the top of the box, and when the door is shut, rain won't get in. Best, Maverick in South Carolina
Peter posted 12-23-2000 08:24 PM ET (US)
Wildeone
I have an 87 18 Outrage and I do the same thing as Maverick. Just pull the plug and leave it. Not too many boats you would dare do that on. ;)
maverick posted 12-24-2000 07:13 AM ET (US)
One other thing - I have a good friend with 1981 20' Outrage - virtually the same boat as my 18.6 - he was at the dock last year, couple of locals standing there admiring the 20 as he tied up and walked away (for a week). He stopped at the end of the dock, walked back to where they were standing, hopped back in his boat and said "he almost forgot" - he reached down in the bilge area, pulled the plug out, hopped up on the dock, and casually tossed the plug in the boat. "There, that outa do it..." He casually walked away, and the watchers almost flipped. Heh heh, score another point for Whaler owner confidence and ease. I love it. Best, Mav in SC
Peter posted 12-24-2000 08:02 AM ET (US)
Maverick, great story. I've got a similar one.
One of my friends on my dock nearly flipped out the first time I told him I just pulled the plug to bail the boat. He was fussing with his bilge pump as he seems to always be doing. From time to time he seeks my advice on various boating matters. This time he came over to me for some advice on what to do with his non-functioning pump. (He owns a Sea Swirl, my primary advice for him is "get a Whaler"). I told him that I can't help him on this one because I don't have a bilge pump, I have no experience with bilge pumps and further that I didn't want to have any "experiences" with any bilge pumps. Puzzled by this and thinking that I'm pulling his leg, he asked "how can you not have a bilge pump?" I explained to him the self bailing qualities of a Whaler and that I just pull the plug and leave it. Still not believing, after I sternly warned him not to try this on his boat, I demonstrated with the two of us standing in the boat behind the pedestal seats. A little water rushed into the bilge box as usual but that was it. He was amazed.
jimh posted 12-26-2000 01:45 PM ET (US)
To add to the string of anecdotes:
This spring we trailered our 15-Sport up to Elk Rapids, Michigan, rolled her off the trailer and tied her up to a guest pier at the motel we were staying at. Overnight it rained several inches.
We forgot and left the drain plug in, so in the morning to bail the boat I just hopped on board and pulled the drain plug out. The boat drained itself in a few minutes. The incredible reserve floatation of the Whaler kept her floating right on her lines even with several inches of water in the cockpit.
Another motel guest with a small I/O runabout was not as lucky. The heavy rain had filled his bilge, the boat took on a list, all the water pooled on one side, eventually pulling the transom almost below the waterline.
The boat was a mess, and it took him most of the day to get the water out. I don't think he could start it because the battery had become flooded, and the water had risen so high in the engine compartment that he may have bad to change the oil, etc.
And, if I had remembered and taken the plug out of the Whaler, there would not have been a drop of rain left in her when I got up the next morning.
Now all that said, it is a different matter on my 20-Revenge. There I think the boat might not be able to self drain. A bilge pump was standard equipment. If you left the plug out I think you might be at risk of filling the fuel tank cavity with water from the bilge. It might depend on the static trim and how much weight is on the transom.
--jimh
andygere posted 12-26-2000 03:39 PM ET (US)
My '79 Montauk has an 85 hp primary and a 14 hp kicker (both '79 Johnsons), and dual batteries. Does anyone know if this boat will self bail, stern-heavy as it is? I know I could just pull the plug and see, but a little reassurance would be nice. The boat is equipped with a bilge pump, but was never berthed or kept on a mooring.
Thanks,
Andy
whalernut posted 12-26-2000 07:08 PM ET (US)
I put an automatic bilge pump on my 73` `16 Currituck in late summer and it worked great, my boat was in a dock, covered with a Mills mooring cover, and the bilge pump never drained the Series 27 battery, I like the larger series battery, you never know. Question, I would like to leave my cover off when I am in the area, I don`t want to kill the battery if there is a consistant rain and the bilge pump runs alot, so is it safe to leave the plug out on my type of Whaler? I put a quick disconect on my bilge pump, as I hot wired it directly to the battery, no switch, so I can just disengage the bilge pump. Can anyone answer this question? Regards-Jack Graner.
hauptjm posted 12-27-2000 10:06 AM ET (US)
Whalernut, you also have a positive flotation boat. I had a close friend with a 140hp Evinrude on a '72 17ft, and he never left his plug in at mooring. In fact, the boat was bottom painted and lived in a boathouse, in the water. This is an extreme case (never put 140 hp on a 17), but we used this boat 4 -5 times a week for 10 years. As a side bar - have 'ya ever gone 62mph in a 17ft. Whaler? SCARYYYYYY!!
george nagy posted 12-27-2000 03:29 PM ET (US)
I have a 1987 18' outrage which I often keep in the water. I don't put the plug in the transom wells or the bow locker, but I do have a pump in the cockpit bilge area. When the boat is filled with fuel and the plug is out this area does fill with water. I don't like to keep this area wet because the cables, wires, and hoses run in this chase along side the fuel tank. I think it is a good idea to keep them from sitting in water, especially salt water. besides it would be pretty hard to clean if slime and algae started to grow there. I would put an automatic bilge in. Good Luck! Enjoy your 18'
frank posted 12-28-2000 12:41 AM ET (US)
i also have an 87 18' outrage. i installed a bilge in the rear sump because i did not like the standing water. if i could go back and do it over again - i wouldn't. the bilge on an 18' whaler is like a wool jacket in summer, you don't need it. in my opinion the vessel is much safer without plugs. on most boats plugs keep water out . on a whaler they can keep water in.
triblet posted 12-28-2000 09:41 AM ET (US)
My 98 Montauk with Evinrude 90, one battery,
no kicker, full tank, and about 200 pounds of
dive gear, but no people, will take on some
water if I, DUH, leave the plug out. And
since I drag a few gallons in when I come
back over the side, I have a bilge pump.
Chuck Tribolet

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Author	Topic: Bilge pump 18 Outrage
wildeone	posted 12-23-2000 10:11 AM ET (US) Anyone got any ideas on mounting or not mounting a bilge pump in the sump on an Outrage. Plan on leaving my boat on a mooring this year opposed to trailering. Does the "pull the bow locker and back plug" theroy work to drain water or should a bilge pump be installed? Erick
maverick	posted 12-23-2000 11:14 AM ET (US) I have an 85 18.6 Outrage, and when moored, i just pull the rear plug and leave out. It will take on a few cups of water, and in a torrential rain, water just runs out. Cool design. The front plug I leave in and keep that dry, as wet conditions continuously can rot an anchor line. In havey rain, water won't get in it as there is a lip around the top of the box, and when the door is shut, rain won't get in. Best, Maverick in South Carolina
Peter	posted 12-23-2000 08:24 PM ET (US) Wildeone I have an 87 18 Outrage and I do the same thing as Maverick. Just pull the plug and leave it. Not too many boats you would dare do that on. ;)
maverick	posted 12-24-2000 07:13 AM ET (US) One other thing - I have a good friend with 1981 20' Outrage - virtually the same boat as my 18.6 - he was at the dock last year, couple of locals standing there admiring the 20 as he tied up and walked away (for a week). He stopped at the end of the dock, walked back to where they were standing, hopped back in his boat and said "he almost forgot" - he reached down in the bilge area, pulled the plug out, hopped up on the dock, and casually tossed the plug in the boat. "There, that outa do it..." He casually walked away, and the watchers almost flipped. Heh heh, score another point for Whaler owner confidence and ease. I love it. Best, Mav in SC
Peter	posted 12-24-2000 08:02 AM ET (US) Maverick, great story. I've got a similar one. One of my friends on my dock nearly flipped out the first time I told him I just pulled the plug to bail the boat. He was fussing with his bilge pump as he seems to always be doing. From time to time he seeks my advice on various boating matters. This time he came over to me for some advice on what to do with his non-functioning pump. (He owns a Sea Swirl, my primary advice for him is "get a Whaler"). I told him that I can't help him on this one because I don't have a bilge pump, I have no experience with bilge pumps and further that I didn't want to have any "experiences" with any bilge pumps. Puzzled by this and thinking that I'm pulling his leg, he asked "how can you not have a bilge pump?" I explained to him the self bailing qualities of a Whaler and that I just pull the plug and leave it. Still not believing, after I sternly warned him not to try this on his boat, I demonstrated with the two of us standing in the boat behind the pedestal seats. A little water rushed into the bilge box as usual but that was it. He was amazed.
jimh	posted 12-26-2000 01:45 PM ET (US) To add to the string of anecdotes: This spring we trailered our 15-Sport up to Elk Rapids, Michigan, rolled her off the trailer and tied her up to a guest pier at the motel we were staying at. Overnight it rained several inches. We forgot and left the drain plug in, so in the morning to bail the boat I just hopped on board and pulled the drain plug out. The boat drained itself in a few minutes. The incredible reserve floatation of the Whaler kept her floating right on her lines even with several inches of water in the cockpit. Another motel guest with a small I/O runabout was not as lucky. The heavy rain had filled his bilge, the boat took on a list, all the water pooled on one side, eventually pulling the transom almost below the waterline. The boat was a mess, and it took him most of the day to get the water out. I don't think he could start it because the battery had become flooded, and the water had risen so high in the engine compartment that he may have bad to change the oil, etc. And, if I had remembered and taken the plug out of the Whaler, there would not have been a drop of rain left in her when I got up the next morning. Now all that said, it is a different matter on my 20-Revenge. There I think the boat might not be able to self drain. A bilge pump was standard equipment. If you left the plug out I think you might be at risk of filling the fuel tank cavity with water from the bilge. It might depend on the static trim and how much weight is on the transom. --jimh
andygere	posted 12-26-2000 03:39 PM ET (US) My '79 Montauk has an 85 hp primary and a 14 hp kicker (both '79 Johnsons), and dual batteries. Does anyone know if this boat will self bail, stern-heavy as it is? I know I could just pull the plug and see, but a little reassurance would be nice. The boat is equipped with a bilge pump, but was never berthed or kept on a mooring. Thanks, Andy
whalernut	posted 12-26-2000 07:08 PM ET (US) I put an automatic bilge pump on my 73` `16 Currituck in late summer and it worked great, my boat was in a dock, covered with a Mills mooring cover, and the bilge pump never drained the Series 27 battery, I like the larger series battery, you never know. Question, I would like to leave my cover off when I am in the area, I don`t want to kill the battery if there is a consistant rain and the bilge pump runs alot, so is it safe to leave the plug out on my type of Whaler? I put a quick disconect on my bilge pump, as I hot wired it directly to the battery, no switch, so I can just disengage the bilge pump. Can anyone answer this question? Regards-Jack Graner.
hauptjm	posted 12-27-2000 10:06 AM ET (US) Whalernut, you also have a positive flotation boat. I had a close friend with a 140hp Evinrude on a '72 17ft, and he never left his plug in at mooring. In fact, the boat was bottom painted and lived in a boathouse, in the water. This is an extreme case (never put 140 hp on a 17), but we used this boat 4 -5 times a week for 10 years. As a side bar - have 'ya ever gone 62mph in a 17ft. Whaler? SCARYYYYYY!!
george nagy	posted 12-27-2000 03:29 PM ET (US) I have a 1987 18' outrage which I often keep in the water. I don't put the plug in the transom wells or the bow locker, but I do have a pump in the cockpit bilge area. When the boat is filled with fuel and the plug is out this area does fill with water. I don't like to keep this area wet because the cables, wires, and hoses run in this chase along side the fuel tank. I think it is a good idea to keep them from sitting in water, especially salt water. besides it would be pretty hard to clean if slime and algae started to grow there. I would put an automatic bilge in. Good Luck! Enjoy your 18'
frank	posted 12-28-2000 12:41 AM ET (US) i also have an 87 18' outrage. i installed a bilge in the rear sump because i did not like the standing water. if i could go back and do it over again - i wouldn't. the bilge on an 18' whaler is like a wool jacket in summer, you don't need it. in my opinion the vessel is much safer without plugs. on most boats plugs keep water out . on a whaler they can keep water in.
triblet	posted 12-28-2000 09:41 AM ET (US) My 98 Montauk with Evinrude 90, one battery, no kicker, full tank, and about 200 pounds of dive gear, but no people, will take on some water if I, DUH, leave the plug out. And since I drag a few gallons in when I come back over the side, I have a bilge pump. Chuck Tribolet