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I recently purchased a 1966 13' whaler. In the summer when the boat is not in use it could be tied up at the dock for up to 2 weeks at a time. With past boats I have always had a bilge pump to remove the rainwater. I have read that there is no need for a bilge pump in a whaler because the cockpit is self draining, even though the drain hole is only a few inches above the bottom of the boat. Can anyone tell if it is safe to leave the drain plug out of the boat when it is tied up at the dock?
If it is recommended that I get a bilge pump, I was wondering what type of battery you would recommend. I have a manual start engine so I currently don't have a battery. Therefore I really wouldn't want to get a heavy marine battery just to power the bilge pump. Any suggestions?
Just leave the plug out. The boat will drain. The only thing I would caution is to ensure you don't have open holes in the gelcoat/fiberglass that could allow water to soak into the foam. If you moore the boat near trees, you should either have a cover or make sure the drain does not get clogged. The boat won't sink, but water sitting will stain the deck and generally make a mess of things.
One season he left the plug out. He occasionally cleaned the scum line that formed The second season, he installed a bilge pump and battery. Two back-to-back heavy rainstorms drained the battery and practically swamped the boat. The next year he ditched the pump and battery and left the plug out. Lesson learned.
I have a similar 1966 13' classic too. Phil, how much water has to get into the boat with the plug out until the boat is neutrally buoyant? Did your brother use a bilge pump to pump the water out once he wanted to use the boat or did he just fire up the boat and drain it while on a plane?
Edited by CES on 01/27/09 - 2:16 PM
Cliff
1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
When he had the original 25 hp Mercury motor, and the fuel tank moved under the front seat, the water only came up out of the well and on to the floor about 3" inches (forward, not deep)
After rigging a C40 Yamaha, the water now comes up ~ 6" with the extra weight.
His hull (an '84) was used lightly by prior owners (we know them) and does not have much, if any, water inside. When moored, all gear (except anchor) is out of the boat.
When he uses the boat, he plugs it and uses a handpump. When others use it, they just go and leave the plug out the entire time. Why no plug? We don't need no stinkin' plug, it's a whaler!" they say.
I use a bilge pump for rain water but, I have remote start (12v Battery), when I was a kid (100 yrs ago) folk's just pulled out the plug on their Whaler's and they drained out on plane. I try to stay with "Whaler's" approach to "keep it simple", It's less work, more fun, it's what the 13 is all about !
