Auto-bilge on Osprey rib

[Billybruiser]

Evening lads, ive just picked up a New to me rib, Osprey Viper and want to leave on a swinging mooring next season! I’m thinking about fitting an auto bilge pump to it, but not sure of the best way/place? Will it mean drilling a biggish hole in the floor to fit the pump beneath into the void underneath? Any tips are appreciated

[Gary_M]

Hi I have the same issue ! Have you managed to solve the problem?

[Bushrider]

I had a Vipermax 7 with a similar problem . The bilge pump was mounted flat on the deck and was never able to get the all the water out from the boat . So it was permanently wet inside.
The solution was Mike Witham in Preston who installed me a deep bilge - actually 2 .
Problem soved and deck always dry .

[gtflash]

If the deck drains aft a bilge well would be ideal. My deck doesn’t drain to middle of boat but more outboard so think about placement.

Next issue is keeping the battery topped to manage the bilge pump. I had three auto pumps. Now switched to two. One float operated and another one of those smart things that sucks every minute or two. The smart thing is like paranoid Pete and often gets stuck running or does sweet fa, except flatten the battery. I now isolate my pumps unless needed to save my battery.

[Gary_M]

My thoughts on bilge pumps is exactly the same as gtflash, am thinking of solar panel to keep batteries topped off. But main priority is to prevent water getting into the hull, seal, seal and seal again. Also replaced a cheap plastic drain bung with a solid bronze fitting with a good sealant bond. Back in the water today so will see how it works.
Boat got swamped last week in the storms, it took nearly an hour to drain the water out of the hull.

[Kristoff]

In addition to the solutions mentioned above, you could also fit a Drainman pump, so even with dead batteries, normal rainfall shouldn't be a problem.

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Force-...BoCawwQAvD_BwE

[Billybruiser]

The deck is self draining so rain waters not my main concern! its any water that sits in the hull under the floor that may need pumping out, i had water coming out of the drain plug when i tipped the boat right up on the trailer? so must be getting in somewhere? so do i drill a hole and stick just a pipe down there with the pump up on the deck or transom? or make a big hole with a removable hatch and put a float operated pump right down there?
i realise water shouldn't really be getting in under the floor, but if it does manage to somehow i want to be able to pump it out. Any ideas lads?