Dry bilge Solutions

Yup, that’s it.
I have always had an aversion to wet bilges, the above ain’t my first Sump Pump, and won’t be my last.
In my early days of boat boating I lived on the tub.
The last 22 years I had my own dock and every boat I owned since has been moored in my back yard, easy to pump the sump with a manual switch.

Depends on the vessel, how often used and probably her location. While motor was out for rebuild I learned one of my Yamaha Wave runners had a very small Rule Pump with no float switch as it turned itself on every so often and ran until bilge was dry or if dry to begin with only ran about 30 seconds. With the frequent rain storms down here and the resulting rain water from them in the bilge, without some type of auto on system keeping bilge dry would not be realistic and 42 years of probably several gallons of water down there never hurt anything.

A bilge pump only accessible after pulling out the engine?!? And I thought to have seen it all....

My interest for what Norseman posted was for a bilge where, for reasons irrelevant here, now and then I have just a little bit of water. So, a very occasional usage (once a month or so), and if the pump would work automatically, I would lose track of whether the leak remains "normal" or gets any worse.

I see your point ref. possibly wishing the sump pump to run automatically in other circumstances, though.
Just a matter of connecting a sensor or a timer, I guess.

What I basically said was until the motor was out I wasn't aware of the electric pump as there's also a centrifugal one of some sort that runs whenever the motor's running so no reason to ever expect 2. Although I've logged countless hours in various boat bilges, when it comes to PWC I leave their maintenance to those better suited for jobs in their EXTREMELY tight spaces. The pump was actually located under the battery compartment but with motor in place not visible. Since then I've noticed whenever the motor's shut down you can hear the pump run for about 30 seconds. The use of one hosed into a shower sump seems like it would be an inexpensive and easy way to automatically keep a bilge dry.

A fellow Navigator owner posted his dry bilge solution and review on his youtube channel:

I love watching some of the videos, occasionally a great idea is shared that I did not think of. I am about to install a DIY dry bilge system, one of the reasons I have been putting it off was the decision on how to overboard the water from the dry bilge system with out putting a new thru hole in the side. The guy in this video just solved my problem, I have two shower and drain sumps on the boat, one is right in the engine room where my wet bilge issue resides so I'll just plumb the system to drain into the box and it will discharge when full. I can even use the same circuit and even mount the pump right to the top of the box. Several details solved! Great thread, thanks for posting.
Rusty

That Seaflo dry bilge system looks like a pretty nice system. I found it online. looks like the base system is about $150. My chain locker drains into my centerline bilge spaces below my passageway. I've always hated how it leaves water in there. This just may be the ticket!

Disappointed in the low star Amazon Reviews.

Perko low water pick ups for a build your own set up.

Yeah that's concerning. And the thing sounds pretty loud. I don't want hear that thing at night but I guess you could always take care of that with the timer.

I like this instead of the sponge glued to a coax wall plate!

That looks good, that will only leave a penny or two thick water scum.
I am fortunate that I only have one spot that rain or washing water will accumulate. I keep a big sponge there and dab it up when I arrive and all is well. I have to use said sponge in the footwell of my Spark Seadoo as well.

I have heard that water is the bilge is fine or expected over the years. "that's what bilges are for" seem to be the reasoning.

I don't buy it. They are designed to hold water that comes in so that the floorboards don't start floating maybe. They are designed to put water in a place where gear and wires don't live. I think they should be dry. Pump, vacuum, sponge what ever you have to do get it out of my bilges.

I really don't know what bilges are designed to do. Other than what I have mentioned are there other purposes for the bilge? I imagine the original purpose from the hand made wooden vessels has changed over time.

I have been obsessed with making all my bilges dry. I had arid on another boat and liked it, but wanted a less expensive option to try first. I have tried 3 systems in different bilges and feel this one is the easiest, most cost effective option:

http://www.drybilgesystem.com/

I did a total DIY like in the earlier link and tried using these sensors, that don't provide a delay so didn't work right: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PNE0RO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did switch the DIY sensor above with a basic 12v timer, and it does work well.
Wheww, after 2 years am finally happy.

Congratulations! I am about to embark on installing the same system in my 506. I have a persistent intrusion from a location that I can not trace yet. It only deposits about 3/4 inch in the center bilge in the ER. It is coming in from the center lateral bulkhead thru limber holes on the forward and aft side. For the life of me I cant imagine where it can be coming from.

My arid dry system is going strong.

Yes, I have used the drybilgesystem. Installed about 2 years ago and it works great. You will want to make sure your bilge is somewhat clear of floating material before installing because I can see how the small opening on the pickup puck could get blocked by debris. I never had an issue and it does have a small strainer filter before the pump which I clean monthly. The key to this system is the timing circuit that once it detects water it runs the pump for so many seconds after the sensor stops sensing water. This prevents it from turning on and off as water continues to flow down to the low spot you mounted the puck in. It also prevents water from draining back down the hose. Well thought out.

yes, I have dry bilge sys in a couple of locations, working well. Bad thing about the Perko is the inevitable back flow of water that doesn't make the lift. It'll get you close, but never dry.