Venture 224 bilge

[sail newbie]

On my venture I see no true bilge sump, so all water that enters collects just below the step down near table and under the front table seat, I was thinking of installing a bilge pump but where? By the time water reached the lowest spot the carpet would already be wet. Any ideals!

[topcat0399]

As a fellow V224 owner.....

Forget a bilge pump unless you are leaving the boat stored in the water and want to have some kind of system to prevent unattended swamping.

We Banished all of the glued on carpets from the boat.
Sometimes we use a throw rug that can dry quickly in the sun or the heater.
In fact I stripped the inside and faired smooth all of it bow to stern. Wipes clean with a sponge and a towel in minutes.
It was a lot of work - but I think it was worth it.

your friends
A flexible plastic ice scoop (the type with the large flat bottom and the handle on the upper side).
Sponges. We go through a lot of them. They shred but its better than wet.
Towels. Always bring lots of towels and or shop rags.

The interior of our 224 is now heavily modified and the layout is much different than yours
if you have the stock arrangement but I certainly remember how it was.

Be aware that water can collect behind the entry step box down next to the rear of the keel trunk.

We trailer and our bilge pump are buckets on board and accessible. On the near to purchase list is a high volume manual pump that's portable.

ymmv

[sail newbie]

Sadly but figured that was the answer, I was hoping I just missed something. I'm not familiar at all with the build of it but is there a way of building a sump without interfering with the integrity, any idea how much space is between the floor and hull?

[THE CUSCUS]

A kayak type pump and a bucket are your best bet. The really absorbent sponges are great too, also found with kayak stuff.

[topcat0399]

Sadly but figured that was the answer, I was hoping I just missed something. I'm not familiar at all with the build of it but is there a way of building a sump without interfering with the integrity, any idea how much space is between the floor and hull?

After stepping down in and you are standing on either side of the keel trunk that is the hull - there is no space between the "floor" and the hull.
You would have to build a false floor to have a sump or bilge. A better option would be to keep water out in the first place but that is difficult if you spend any time sailing in inclement weather.

[sail newbie]

Thanks for the reply, the water amount is not bad just annoying to say the least.

[Rackman]

I have the same problem. I think the water comes up through the keel bolt hole. I just made a false floor out of plywood so we can keep our feet dry..

[treadlegal]

I really don't know that much about these boats. I have a 1980 MacGregor 22 (I don't know much about it either) that I bought at an auction, with a trailer, and a small outboard engine, for $200. Whoever the previous owner was, he had made significant modifications to the boat, including fair leads, cam cleats, mast erecting equipment, and a bunch of other stuff; much of which I have yet to figure out the purpose of. There was a small drain hole, well above the water line on the starboard side. I ultimately had to find the hole on the inside and follow a hose that came out of it to determine that it was for a small electric bilge pump that will work either automatically or manually. This guy had installed the pump unit toward the centerline of the boat, on the hull, underneath the dinette table. Next to the trunk for the keel. I mention all this because, whoever used to own this boat, appears to have really known what they were doing. So, if you want a bilge pump, that might be a good spot.