Bilge pump discharge setup

[sandycohen]

Hi All -

The boat I purchased about 5 months ago has the bilge discharge positioned about 3 or 4" above the flat water line - obviously, it's well below the heeled water line.

I see no signs that this was not the original setup, or that there was ever accommodation for a vented loop or other siphon break. When I bought the boat it did not have a check valve. I don't think the bilge has a check valve, because when I turn it off, the water column that hasn't been discharged flows back into the bilge pump.

The boat has been sailed often and hard - what am I missing in this setup that has kept it from sinking when heeled?

[PorFin]

Originally Posted by sandycohen

...what am I missing in this setup that has kept it from sinking when heeled?

The anti-siphon loop and valve above the max heeled waterline.

(although after rereading your question, I think you may be asking why hasn't she sunk before you noticed this... that's a good question. Luck maybe? Maybe a check valve integrated into the bilge pump?)

[sandycohen]

Sorry - I was unclear. I meant what has kept the boat from sinking for 30+ years with this setup, that seems to be basically inviting water in at any angle of heel.

[mitiempo]

Luck - change it by adding a high loop with a anti-siphon at the top.

Where is the outlet located?

[sandycohen]

Amidships, about 3" above the waterline at rest, starboard side,

[capecodda]

If the hose run in the discharge is above the water line when healed, even if the discharge is submerged when healing, and the bilge pump doesn't happen switch on to charge the line while healed, your boat might not start reverse siphoning. So yea, lucky I think. Adding anti-siphon loop would be good insurance against your luck not continuing .

Don't ask me how I learned about this. Seeing all that water below is something you remember for a long time.

[Barquito]

What the traditional bilge discharge route? High loop, then d/c just under the rub-rail? Out the stern? Into the cockpit?

[capecodda]

Barquito

Boat's I've owned discharged in the stern. Usually a high loop with anti-siphon valve located aft, then out, sometimes even under the counter (as long as the loop is high, this is OK I think).