Bilge access that you can actually access

[mwardncsu]

More “summerization” projects.....

I’m changing out my washdown pump and it’s a pain to get into the bilge through the “not really” 10” pie plate - so, I cut out an opening for a 10” x 20” access - and used an Armstrong access hatch for it.

These hatch accesses secure by tension arms that grab underneath and then a good wide o-ring. Supposedly the most water-tight access plates. They make them in a round pie-plate for the normal uses

www.armstrongnautical.com/armstrong-boat-deck-plates/

[johnk]

Very nice!

What kind of cutting tool did you use? I have been wanting to do mine. The factory access on these boats sure is poor. 

Are you going with a high output wash down pump?

I really appreciate you sharing your projects!

Thanks!

[mwardncsu]

I used a Dremel and a handful of zip bits - the fiberglass eats those up fast. I had a ceramic tile blade for a jigsaw and should have gone and dug that out - probably could have at least cut the forward side and maybe part of the sides - doubt I could have gotten the rear side however - would have been a cleaner / straight line but it’s not too jagged

And yep - I’m putting a Jabsco 6 gpm washdown pump in - probably wiring it into a relay since it calls for a 20a fuse and I’m concerned about voltage drop over the distance from the console to the pump with the existing 16 ga wire....