hi new to river cruisers and just purchased a birchwood 25 had ski boats before and they all had bilge pumps the boat i have is a 78 which has had been owned for 16 years by the same person ,when i asked about a bilge, was told it has bilge blower. i assume thats because its petrol inboard but it has no bilge pump, is that something i should be concerned about, also got to remove sea toilet as it will be on river lee if i chose to fit shower tray is it ok to tile walls and grout or is the boat not rigid enough. i.e should i use water proof panels. if i do this it has no hot water im a plumber and can fit calorifier would the pump for the cold normally be upgraded for a more powerful pump. thanks.

Hi Ian
Regarding tiles, if the wall you are covering is flat and easily accessible, I'd be inclined cut to shape and fit one of those tiled-looking panels, obtainable from DIY stores. A few dabs of 'no nails' or similar should secure it in place. Less of a job and easier to maintain.
Re sea tilet, you can probably give me some advice. I too have bought a chem toilet and was about to remove sea toilet last weekend. I chickened-out in the end as I was nervous about relying upon the sea cocks to remain water tight. As a plumber, can you tell me if they were to leak, would water continue to ingress or would it stop after a certain level was reached ? (this is probably more of a basis science question, but I hope you can advise)  

--Last edited by Springchicken on 2009-05-09 12:01:08 --

not had a look at mine yet as boat being delivered friday, but they are just gate valves so when shut there shut but they can stick and sometimes the spindle will break if they are not used for a long time, what i was intending to do is after removing toilet is put a short of copper and a cap and poss a drain cock so i can open and shut valve so it wont seize up, then open drain cock just to let out small amount of water that has entered up to cap.il let u know when ive had a look, do you think i shoul fitted. thanks.d have a blige pump

My B25 had no Bilge pump, but didn't ever need it!

That said, that shaft seal was new, and going to be replaced every couple of years when Wintered ashore, as it's the only possible ingress point.

That bilge blower is very important though, don't EVER forget to use it! (See B22 Fire thread...)

thanks, just thought the inlet for the engine cooling may be a poss leak if pipe splits, but i would be there if that happened.

Again, a precaution, but make sure those hoses are checked annually, and changed at the first whiff of ageing, or it'll sink for sure...