I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ONE HAS EXCAPED RAY ?????

[Weekender SNUPI Builder]

There's been a wonderful number of suggestions of "where , how many and even if ", bilge pumps should be installed in Weekenders, Vacationers or PC's !

The other topic of discusion has been to determine the best location for a 12 volt battery to run the afore mentioned 12 volt pumps !.

Just because I can, SNUPI has a 2 automatic bilge pumps, 12 volt industrial battery and a pair of 5 watt Solar chargers , a 600 gph auto pump in the "Laz" and a 900 gph in the lower portion of the companionway box !

I saw the results of a boat with an automatic pump and a DEAD uncharged BATTERY this summer ! The "pointy Stick thingie with a flag sure looked weird stickingh out of the water !

Now the the Battery ........

How many of you folks are aware that you can dunk , or submerge a 12 volt battery for an extended period of time in FRESH WATER without affecting the charge, other than whatever the lights are drawing , etc !

Try that same "DUNKING" of your 12 volt battery in "SALT WATER" and you'll kill the charge in no time flat ! Why? 'Cause the salt water acts as an ELECTROLYTE and effectively "Shorts out" every place where it can bridge the (+) & (-) connectors, whether it be the clip ons of a switch or THE 2 MAIN BATTERY TERMINALS !

I have witnessed this on several occasions where cars have left the road and gone for a swim at nite ! Those dunked in fresh water will keep their lights burning until the battery is discharged as would be normally . HOWEVER, the car hhaving a SALT WATER bath will have the lights/ battery trashed inside of 4 - 6 minutes !

SOOOOOOOOOO In the event of a knockdown in SALT WATER, there's a whole different ballgame with regards electrical devices , i.e. 12 volt lights , 12 volt VHF radios, etc , if any part of your electrical system is exposed !

There are waays to reduce the SALT WATER attack, ....... first of all, use a independantly vented / isolated circuit / Marine Gel battery, or put the battery in a water tight case and vent to the outside . ( I know of one that's vented out the side of the bow sprit ???? ) I've been told there's load sensitive breakers available that will isolate "Dunked " portions of thwe wiring, but I've not found them as yet !

Fresh water dunking? oh well ! ! probably just a whole bunch of red faced excuses to make up and deal with ! ..........hehehehe !

[capt jake]

Bag the bilge pumps!!! Add some more ballast and just let 'er sink. ;)

No more worries! ;) LOL

[capt jake]

Ray............I was kidding:)

[Weekender SNUPI Builder]

..........that applies to ANY boat that is moored in SALT WATER !

You don't have to get knocked down, it matters less whether there's Ballast , ( although RAY has sure convinced me ! ) When I was talking to the new owners of the GOLD RIVER Marina, I was queried about the manner of pumps, wiring , etc !

The point that is critical is that ALL / ANY wiring connections MUST BE ABOVE the internal water line that could occur OR be absolutely waterproofed ! Even though there may not be salt water leaking into the hull, ocean spray can AND does transport sufficient salt, that in time will create an effective ELECTROLYTE ! Any PAIR , (+ and - ) connections that can be submerged in this electrolyte will drain the cookies from the battery !

Some of the boats that sunk during the last few " HURRY - CANES " , sunk strictly because of salt water splashing into the hull, cabin , etc ., flooding some of the wiring, killing the battery , thus no bilge pumping !

I'll be mooring SNUPI next spring at either Gold River Marina or I'll drop a mooring in front of my son's summer place at Oak Island , ( So's I can be close to Capt Kidd's treasure ! ), either way she'll be spending a fair number of days fending for herself, so the advise I've received is, Cover ALL your bases, the ocean learns a few new tricks each year !