Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
last week heavy rainfall caused listing of boat; became stern-heavy; had the bilge pumped/baled.
the boad does not presently have its own permanent bilge pump
need advice on pros and cons and brand recommendations of installing automated bilge pump(w. drainage hose over transom?); also would anyone leave the plug(s) out on this specific style boat while moored, instead of pump?
finally, I'm off-island quite a bit for now; any recommendations on solar charger to keep battery charged while engine not running?
The question of leaving the plugs in or out is determined by where the drains are in relation to the waterline on the boat? If you pull the plugs are the drains underwater and does water come rushing in? If the answer to that question is no then I would leave the drains out and let the boat self bail. If your drains are underwater at rest, then plug them, put in an automatic bilge pump with float switch and get a good solar battery charger to keep the battery topped off when your not around.
I have done both, before I added the setback bracket to my 18, the drains were above the waterline and it would selfbail, i just left the plugs out and had no issues. Once I added the setback bracket, the stern sat lower so I plugged all 3 stern drains and the sump drain and installed 2 bilge pumps and a solar charger which worked great.
As for which solar charger to use, get one that will stand up to the weather and be easy to stow on the boat. A lot of the ones designed for cars are not designed to be outside. Also, look for one you can secure to the boat with bungie cords, don't want it flying off in the first real storm.
