Tunnel Hull/Bilge Pumps

[LGCDEVIL]

I am putting a tunnel hull together and I can't figure out how to get the water out of the outer sponsons. There is not enough room below or behind the fuel tanks to fit a bilge pump. Any ideas/suggestions?

[HBjet]

Move the tanks forward and install bilge pumps.
HBjet

[Ken F]

LGC-
There are bilge pumps made which can be mounted remotely and the pick-up hose run to a low spot in the sponson, but they are pretty pricy.
Another suggestion might be flapper valves which fit in the drain plug holes and only evacuate water while underway. Bad part of that is, you have no bilge if your engine quits in the middle of the lake and they seem to be pretty prone to getting trash in them as the water evacuates and then they won't seal when you stop. Then it's nice to have a bilge pump. lol
As HBJ said, moving the tanks forward 4-5" would probably be the best solution.
Ken F

[atxwrangler]

:idea: you can get scuppers from overtons.com that act as a check valve , install one in each outer sponson , then you r done . Ihave a 79 southwind tunnell dragster i am fixing up , and this is what i will use , boaters with other southwinds recommended this to me , and sounds good .you will still need 1 bilge pump in the middle but only a single expense , ratherthan a triple expense , .. scupper $9.99 . just my 2 cents !

[Cs19]

If the holes are already drilled through the boat for the filler necks, moving the tanks might be tricky, Id do what Ken said and use those tricky dick bilge pumps.
cs

[TRG]

If the holes are already drilled through the boat for the filler necks, moving the tanks might be tricky, Id do what Ken said and use those tricky dick bilge pumps.
cs
Did you just say,..."TRICKY DICK" chris???
who you callin a dick anyway??? :D

[Cs19]

I used to work with this guy who always said that. "tricky dick bro".
Nevermind..lol

[TRG]

a huh!...right!...im gonna keep my eye on you there pal! :wink:

[Cs19]

:D
Heard your gunnin for HB this summer. :eek:

[LVjetboy]

I use duckbills...one way flapper valves. Like Ken says, they have drawbacks. But I've used them over 10 years now no sinky. They keep the side sponsons clear better than my dual bilge pumps keep the center sponson clear...no float switch limitation. But you gotta move! I suppose the ultimate would be a combination of both.
jer

[LGCDEVIL]

Thanks for the info. Anyone know where to get the remote pumps?

[LGCDEVIL]

Got one at Rex.

[likeFATHERlikeSON3]

http://www.rexmar.com/page156.html

[sanger rat]

Grainger has some options to look at. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/searchresults.jsp?xi=xi

[moneysucker]

I use J drains from CP Performance, You just have to make sure you do not have anything stuck in the flapper. These are great should you ever have a battery failure like me and can not use your bilge pump.
Cy

[TRG]

:D
Heard your gunnin for HB this summer. :eek:
that little ****in bird landed on your shoulder too? :wink:

[MudPumper]

that little ****in bird landed on your shoulder too? :wink:
I don't know Todd, you might need a bowlight to battle with HB.

[Cs19]

Since Randy and I only race at night (inside joke), ya your gonna need a bow light.

[LVjetboy]

Jabsco, don't they make head pumps? :eek:
$150-$230 is too much for this application in my opinion. And I normally spare no expense on my jet. But a toilet pump?? Since you have two outer sponsons, double that. You'd also need to fit a float switch behind each tank...more $ and most likely, no room. A positive displacement pump draws big current too: 8 amps vs 1.5 for less flow. With two Jabsco's, double that to 16 amps. Not good for battery. The Jabsco's a bad idea for your application Devil. Think K.I.S.S.
jer

[CrazyHippy]

I have a Tunnel (ob powered) and only run a bilge pump in the center. The boat will still float w/ the outer sponsons filled to where they spill into the center.
A little bit of water isn't going to hurt anything.
Also, how are you going to get water out into the sponsons? Water will come into the center of the boat 1st (most of the time) and the pump will take care of it.
Having said that, my boat doesn't leak, and the only water getting into it is from wet bathing suits and waterski's that someone doesn't drain the bindings on. :D
BJH

[572Daytona]

Jabsco, don't they make head pumps? :eek:
$150-$230 is too much for this application in my opinion. And I normally spare no expense on my jet. But a toilet pump?? Since you have two outer sponsons, double that. You'd also need to fit a float switch behind each tank...more $ and most likely, no room. A positive displacement pump draws big current too: 8 amps vs 1.5 for less flow. With two Jabsco's, double that to 16 amps. Not good for battery. The Jabsco's a bad idea for your application Devil. Think K.I.S.S.
jer
If you have an open engine compartment (i.e. don't need spark protection) Jabsco also makes a washdown pump that you can buy at West Marine that is cheaper (around $120) I use one in my Daytona for the center tunnel because there's no room on the side of the intake for a normal bilge pump. I do have 3 regular bilge pumps installed too, one in each outer sponson in one in the center tunnel further forward.

[Taylorman]

How about a plug.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/161eliminator105.jpg

[LGCDEVIL]

Thanks, Taylorman. I have a plug, but can't decide which side to put it on. Atx, how do those scupper deals work? Do you mount them on the back of the boat, over the plug hole, or do they have to mount flat, like in the picture on overtons.com?

[Cs19]

You can squeeze one of the small RULE bilge pumps in the center sponson next to the intake with some minor mods to it, you have to cut some of the plastic crap off the sides, and epoxy a new filter/screen on the bottom of the pump. Thats what Ive got on my daytona. West Marine carries the RULE pumps, they are red,white and blue.Making the bracket is the tricky part, I used some thin aluminum (bendable) and a hose clamp around the pump itself to mount it.
Ive got 3 pumps in mine, the 2 in the outside sponsons rarely get used, but are nice to have just in case.
CS

[HBjet]

that little ****in bird landed on your shoulder too? :wink:
Is this the same Blue Bird your talking about? Glad he's giving me some tips with my new setup!
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/20nosbottlebluebird.jpg
HBjet :2purples:

[TRG]

Is this the same Blue Bird your talking about? Glad he's giving me some tips with my new setup!
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/20nosbottlebluebird.jpg
HBjet :2purples:
are these names notches in your stringer randy???
better grab some filler and resin if so...lol
P.S. i have a much bigger bottle than that one, with a much prettier color as well! bwaaahaha! :D

[MudPumper]

are these names notches in your stringer randy???
better grab some filler and resin if so...lol
P.S. i have a much bigger bottle than that one, with a much prettier color as well! bwaaahaha! :D
You guys are too f'n funny. I can't wait to hang out at the river with you knuckle heads this summer. :hammer2:

[flat broke]

Is this the same Blue Bird your talking about? Glad he's giving me some tips with my new setup!
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/20nosbottlebluebird.jpg
HBjet :2purples:
If you need anything other than your current setup to beat up on Mark's new rig, you're gonna need a lot more than what you spec'd for the other guys ;)
Chris

[cyclone]

You guys are too f'n funny. I can't wait to hang out at the river with you knuckle heads this summer. :hammer2:
I'll be right there with you sittin' back and watchin' these fools duke it out. :cool:

[HBjet]

If you need anything other than your current setup to beat up on Mark's new rig, you're gonna need a lot more than what you spec'd for the other guys ;)
Chris
No, he's only on the list because he still has the CP... The new barge won't even seem like its moving when I pass him!
HBjet!

[HBjet]

I'll be right there with you sittin' back and watchin' these fools duke it out. :cool:
That will last about 10 minutes.... :shift:
HBjet

[steelcomp]

Bottles are for babies who havent learned how to build a real motor yet! :boxingguy :lightsabe :sleeping: :D :D

[steelcomp]

Thanks, Taylorman. I have a plug, but can't decide which side to put it on. Atx, how do those scupper deals work? Do you mount them on the back of the boat, over the plug hole, or do they have to mount flat, like in the picture on overtons.com?
If you use a plug, which is the easiest way, it will mount on the inside bottom corner of the sponson, like in the pic Taylorman posted. Most outer sponsons have a taper to them toward the center. This will be the low spot. I have a small 1/4" tube in the bottom of mine with a little plastic screw on cap. It's just enough to drain what little water gets into the outer sponson.

[LVjetboy]

"It's just enough to drain what little water gets into the outer sponson."
But more water can get in there on a typical lake or river day. Other than leak. For example...idiot wake boats. Ignorant jet skiers. Wind chop or white caps. Cruiser, whatever. That's been my experience...
With my freeboard and splash guard on a weekend, a lot of water can end up in the outer sponsons quickly. And with my boat, the stringers are a higher dam with only a small relief drain to the center pod.
You may not want to pull the boat to drain or carry that weight the rest of the day? 8.3 lbs/gal extra dead weight is useless. One-way valves on the other hand do work.
The only concern with one-way is debris and long term mooring...which for me has never been a problem. I don't moor for longer than over-night. And I run dual center pod bildge pumps so even if a side sponson one-way duck bill blocked open, my two center pumps (or battery) would have to fail before sink.
Not saying plugs won't work. Just saying, I've taken a wave or two over the splash guard I'm glad I could clear the side sponsons with some forward motion.
jer