I have the same issue. Since it rains often in Seattle, I've got loads
of rainwater coming through the mast and into the bilge, with only a
manual pump to get rid of it. I keep wondering if any 911 owner has
found an electrical automatic pump small enough to fit in the shallow
bilge, but robust enough not to just clog up. Since the bilge is also
compartmentalized, getting all the water out without resorting to
lifting the floor is quite difficult. The result in my case is there's
almost always water sloshing in and around the bilge and floors when
sailing.
And while I'm on the subject of water, anyone find a truly effective way to keep rain water from coming through the mast? I can't believe how much water comes in. I've tried various collar solutions at the deck (Mast-Tight, waterproof tapes, etc.) but nothing seems to stem the flow - much of which I suspect is getting into the mast above the deck, particularly at the masthead.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-olson911@sailpix.com [mailto:owner-olson911@sailpix.com] On
Behalf Of Jon E
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 2:35 PM
To: olson911@SailPix.com
Subject: automatic bilge pump outlet
O911 owners,
Shanti came without an auto bilge pump, and I'm installing one. Does anyone have suggestions on locating the outlet mushroom? The manual pump discharges through the transom "vents" near the bottom but I wonder if using those would produce backwash into the bilge in a following sea.
Also, I noticed that the flat bilge is really hard to keep dry with the
standard rule-type pumps. Anyone have a trick (I'm using the old
giant-sponge method
now) to keep that a little drier?
Thanks,
Jon