​Fundamental to seaworthiness is a sound hull, and a lot has been done to ensure this is the case (inspection and maintenance of all inlets and sail drive, material selection, electrolysis avoidance and checks). But what will happen if the yacht takes water for whatever reason for example due to an impact or material failure?

 

Legato has a manual bilge pump operable from the cockpit and an independent 60 LPM bilge pump with automatic float switch located at the lowest level under the galley floorboard. The boat manufacturer however states that this small bilge pump is “not for damage control”. To this effect I have installed additionally a heavy duty 250 LPM Johnson Bilge pump (among the largest in the market), with independent 1.5” outlet hose and power supply. To avoid siphoning, the hose goes up to deck level and has a vented loop. The pump is installed higher than the factor pump so it should only operate if the factory pump cannot cope (hopefully never), via an automatic non-mechanic switch.

 

In addition, we carry another (identical) crash pump with a large 2” hose and long cable that can be used to pump water from any location.

 

Finally, a fourth 50 LPM pump with independent (vented) hose is permanently located under the bed in the front cabin to deal with a possible intake of water, before it reaches the main bilge pumps.