Dry Bilge

[Bud Cary]

Hi

I was wondering whether anyone has ever tried or uses a Seaflo Dry Bilge System, or similar, to keep their bilge as dry as possible. 

Some questions

Can it replace or augment a regular bilge pump?

Does it work well to keep the bilge as dry as possible?

Does it use much energy, especially if kept on automatic?

If a Seaflo, does the multi-zone system work?

Overall, does it seem worth it?

Thanks

S/V Pooh (J40 #82)

[Chris]

I haven't done it yet, but have bought the parts for this one: https://panbo.com/a-dry-bilge-for-50/ - figure it's worth a try, but it hasn't reached the top of the list for actual implementation, so I can't report on how well it works. Seems a good idea!

[Jim Brainard]

Jboat Sailors.   I have intentions of installing a dry bilge setup, but have been challenged by figuring out a route for the discharge.  I am not too keen on drilling a hole in a stringer or a rib.   The lowest compartment in our bilge does not have a great route for another discharge.  Has anyone added a dry bilge or a second bilge pump?  How did you deal with the discharge?   

Jim Brainard.  j46 Brainwaves.  

JIm Brainard.   Sent from my iPhone

On May 13, 2026, at 4:52 PM, Chris <j44s...@gmail.com> wrote:

I haven't done it yet, but have bought the parts for this one: https://panbo.com/a-dry-bilge-for-50/ - figure it's worth a try, but it hasn't reached the top of the list for actual implementation, so I can't report on how well it works. Seems a good idea!

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[David Jade]

It’s been on my list too. The ones I have looked at use a very small discharge hose (1/8”) and the suggested route is to plumb it into a drain like the gallery. Some even sell a fitting for this. 

FWIW it’s not too bad drilling though a stringer/rib for routing. They are hollow. Just epoxy in a section of G10 tube. But you could probably just route the tiny discharge tube through the existing bilge drain holes all the way to under the galley. 

Btw, the original bilge drain passages are PVC and they are prone to breaking down and becoming leaky, into the stringers. We replaced ours with G10 tubes when we had the keel off. Trivia: these passages are where the vacuum lines ran during production. 

David                      _/)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On May 13, 2026, at 11:00 PM, Jim Brainard <brain...@gmail.com> wrote:

 Jboat Sailors.   I have intentions of installing a dry bilge setup, but have been challenged by figuring out a route for the discharge.  I am not too keen on drilling a hole in a stringer or a rib.   The lowest compartment in our bilge does not have a great route for another discharge.  Has anyone added a dry bilge or a second bilge pump?  How did you deal with the discharge?   

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/57D0472D-C383-4C54-9DBD-447D573A0FED%40gmail.com.

[Todd Stevens]

>>>
>>  Jboat Sailors. I have intentions of installing a dry bilge setup, but have been challenged by figuring out a route for the discharge. I am not too keen on drilling a hole in a stringer or a rib. The lowest compartment in our bilge does not have a great route for another discharge. Has anyone added a dry bilge or a second bilge pump? How did you deal with the discharge?
>>
>> Jim Brainard. j46 Brainwaves.
>> JIm Brainard. Sent from my iPhone

Not sure, but having just pulled them out, there MAY be room for something like 1/4” PE tubing to run alongside the primary or manual bilge pump hose, through their penetrations.