1981 Osprey 170 - Adding a bilge pump

[irbfisher]

Hi Everyone. I am a newbie to the site. I just bought a 1981 Osprey 170, this boat is in excellent shape. Obviously self bailing, but I would feel more comfortable having an auto bilge. Has anyone installed one and what location on the boat did you install it. My thought is behind the captains chair somewhere. Any input appreciated.

Thank you in advance
Have a Great Day

[RickK]

  aboard irbfisher.
You can easily cut a rectangular access plate into the floor just in front of the trough at the rear. the bigger the better. Getting power to the pump will be a challenge. Does your boat have a removeable tank lid? I think I see one in the catalog sheet -

The last challenge will be getting the exhaust pipe or hose out of the bilge and overboard. When I rebuilt my 170 it was easy because I planned it while rebuilding.

[irbfisher]

Yes, it has a tank lid, my thought was run electrical through there to the batteries and the on the drain line a straight shot to either starboard or port side.

As you said the drain line will be the challenge.

Thank you for your input. I will keep posting as I move through this upgrade.

[RickK]

I was going through the same thought process before I decided to do a full rebuild. 
One thought was to drill a hole just big enough for the exhaust hose, through the bottom of the trough in front of the transom and take the hose up and over the transom. The exhaust hose is usually 1" or larger, so maybe put a 90 on it at the top?