Winterise secondary bilge pump on R27

[Tugboat Bob]

Anyone have a suggestion about winterizing the secondary bilge pump on the R27. It’s behind the engine, impossible to get to and much higher in position than the primary bilge pump. To fill the bilge with antifreeze to that level would take many gallons. Any ideas?

 

[dbsea]

Anyone have a suggestion about winterizing the secondary bilge pump on the R27. It’s behind the engine, impossible to get to and much higher in position than the primary bilge pump. To fill the bilge with antifreeze to that level would take many gallons. Any ideas?

does it need to be winterized if there's never been any water in it?

 

[S. Todd]

I have never winterized our secondary bilge pump on the theory that it is dry and as far as I know that has never been a problem in the last 7 winters. I suspect it could be an issue if there was a check valve keeping water from flowing back down to the pump and water entered the line through the hull side fitting. This inquiry makes me think I should look for a check valve on that line. I hope there is not one because it would just add restriction to a pump that if it was ever activated I would want pumping full strength. A check valve on that line would also not serve any purpose given the limited use that pump should have.

 

[scross]

I just crank the trailer tongue down, add antifreeze to the bilge, run the forward bilge pump manually and then crank the trailer tongue back up. Easy!

 

[marksandyham]

I use a wet dry vac and vacuum the water out of my shower and bilge pumps. Easy to do on the hard. Dingy if it is still afloat.

 

[Jfrano]

Yes during one of the As the Prop Turns session Andrew mentions that the forward bilge pump does not have a check valve, so if used, any remaining water runs out of pump back into the bilge. As such it does not need to be winterized. The main bilge, has a check valve so it does need to be winterized.

Joe