whole for bilge pump

[tom]

I have an older model j-16 hull. This hull does not have a depression for a bilge pump. I would like to cut a one inch deep by 4x6 whole in the rear deck next to the transom and glass it in. Has any one done this. The new hulls have this modification. Please respond Tom

[Slim to None]

i've seen a write up about this mod over on the MSN skiff forum. looked pretty good when the guy was done with it.

[Flipper]

Hi, My J-12 was the same way. I cut a 7"x7" square in the deck the pried it out cut down through the foam core and one of the cross stringers to the hull of the boat. I noticed that the hull was REALLY thin so I layererd about 4 layers of matting on the bottom then with glass cloth I glassed back and forth with 4 layers like a + it works great! No more wet floors, towels and anything else that would be on the floor. I would go deeper than 1" because the pump and hose wont have enough water in the line to pump the water out . Looks nicer than the way CS does it because they dont cut the whole way down and leave a layer of foam that they hack out leaving the bottom bumpy and not flat. Flipper

[Flipper]

One more thing use West Epoxy resin its MUCH stronger than polyester resin and the pump kit makes mixing a snap with no guess work. Flipper

[skiffrookie]

Flipper,

I just bought a 1994 j14 and would like to build a bilge area. Do you have any pics of your finished masterpeice? I am a visual learner and it would help.
Also not quite sure what can be used to cut through the floor.

Thank You

[Flipper]

Sorry dont have any pix, it was a pretty simple operation. Mark out a 7x7 square against the inside of the transom wall, drill a 1/4" hole in the corners (large enough to get a jigsaw blade in) and cut out the square if you cant get the cut the whole way back to the transom you can file it back in the next step. Once you get the whole cut pry out the deck with a large flatblade screwdriver, when you get the piece out use a serrated knife to cut down through the foam mine had a cross stringer about 5" from the transom all it is is a piece of glass matting folded over I cut that out with a medium size wire cutter when you get all the foam cut out get a coarse file and file the lip in front of the transom so it is flush with the transom wall. Another note use bosch high speed metal jigsaw blades they will cut through the glass like butter. you will notice the hull is really thin so cut 4 7x7 squares of fiberglass matting and layer it in the bottom of your hole. Use WEST Marine epoxy resin it is much stronger than polyester resin.When dry rough sand to get the shine off . then cut strips of fiberglass cloth 7"x21" start glassing starting on the transom wall down into your sump across the bottom then up the forward wall and up onto the deck overlaping about 3-4" the next step do the same in the opposite direction(across the floor about 3-4" then down the inside wall across the sump floor then up the othe side wall and about 3-4" across the floor) I used 3 layers each way make sure to overlap the inside corners so no foam is showing you want to make this sealed allround so no water can wick into the foam or transom. when you have the sump glassed I drilled a hole for the new drain hole you can get a draintube at west marine and cut the length to the thickness of the transom when you have the hole drilled get 3m 5200 and smear it in the inside of the hole and slide the tube through again make sure you get the 5200 all on the inside of your hole to seal in the foam I used a 1 1/2" tube for a standard drain plug. When finished get some interlux brightside briht white paint it matches perfectly and paint your new sump do not paint thick coats or it will stay soft for months just a couple of thin coats if you want you can even put the black squiggly lines in by getting a pint of interlux brightside black dipping a 3/4" paint brush in the paint hold the brush vertical and when the paint starts dripping off the brush shake it , Practice on a piece of newpaper untill you get the knack .
Congratulations!!!!!! you now have your sump! any ? e-mail me and I will be glad to help. Flipperfla@earthlink.net
one more note when you install your pump just put a goober of 5200 in the sump floor and set the pump in it instead of drilling holes