Bilge Pump for Hobie Tandem Island

In this video, I install an automatic 500 gph bilge pump powered by a 10-Ah lithium battery. The pump has a built-in sensor that checks for water every 2.5 minutes. I also installed a manual override to the pump. I also show my backflow preventer which helps to keep any water in the bilge near the pump so the pump can run more efficiently.

[@seewind]

Looks great. Should keep your 2020 TI dry and give you confidence to push out on longer trips in moderate seas. Well done.

[@federicopapale4032]

Great idea! Very well done! I’ll install it into mine! Thanks

[@tomlewis509]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@alanaldpal950]

Nice set up. I would have run the discharge thru the hatch as it would be easy to replace the hatch if you wanted to remove it and get everything back to stock

[@tomlewis509]

That's a good suggestion. I considered it at the time, but opted not to since I'd already done quite a few mods to the boat.

[@markstamp872]

That's a nice setup. I don't have a TI, but I do have 2 AIs and sail quite a bit, some in fairly rough conditions. In my experience, if you are getting a lot of water inside, it's coming thru the front hatch. There are a lot of ways to reduce (if not eliminate) the water coming thru the hatch.

[@romeoramirez8066]

Hi, I found your solution very useful and not hard to implement. I would appreciate if you were so kind to share the list of parts you purchased and the files you created to print the necessary pieces. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Hobie-hf2ql]

I really like you ur design and installation. I have a new 2023 tandem I took delivery at the end of nice weather last fall. I would love to install the bilge pump system on my island. You mentioned you were going to put parts list together and have parts for sell. I would love to talk with you and see if we could could obtain what I need and install the system on my tandem. About 45 miles north of Seattle… not sure how far a ay you are. Pls let me know if you have parts and cost. I want system here for Puget sound. Thanks Bob

[@tomlewis509]

Thanks for your kind words, Bob. I do sell a bilge mount kit that makes the pump installation itself quick and painless. You still have to run the discharge and power, of course, but I'll send you a complete materials list of what I used with your order. You can email me at iwontrepeatit at gmail.

[@thomaspaine5601]

I wouldn't have accepted it leaking in the first place. The leak is unacceptable, but surely correctable.

[@tomlewis509]

I find the leak completely acceptible considering the boat is designed and built by Hobie only to Categoy D ratings: "CATEGORY D - INLAND OR SHELTERED COASTAL WATERS This rating is for boats in small lakes and rivers with winds to Force 4 and significant wave heights to 18 inches." It's just that many of us use the boat in conditions for which is was never designed, including bashing through big waves in the ocean. You can minimize the leaks - and I have - but it's unlikely you'll eliminate them. Also, from a safety standpoint, it's a good idea to have an automatic bilge pump in case a new leak springs up.

[@barrywinter5381]

Hi great videos. Anyway I can find out from you on how you mount those backboards to your aka's?

[@tomlewis509]

If you're on Facebook, I posted a complete video there on my hakas in the Hobie Adventure and Tandem Island Owners group.

[@Sailing-Alicante-]

Very well done 👏. Question.... What black board is that sitting sitting on your outriggers?? Any link? Many thanks 😊 🙏

[@tomlewis509]

Thanks. What you're looking for are called "hakas." If you do a search for that you will likely find what you're looking for.

[@grantrawlinson1470]

Looks fantastic, love the simplicity of the install. Would you be open to sharing the 3d file for the custom mounting bracket you made that clips to the back hatch? and I get it printed here where I live in Thailand?

[@tomlewis509]

Sorry. I don't sell or share stl files. Too many people take them and then sell prints. I will, however, be offering the printed parts for the bilge pump holder for sale shortly.

[@benhortonben9105]

​@tomlewis509 I'm in the UK, would you be prepared to print and send the parts here? Currently planning a round the Isle of Wight trip. This set up is perfect as the other TI owner who did this trip had the Hull 3 quarters full of water after this trip. I'm obviously happy to pay.

[@benhortonben9105]

This idea is ingenious! Love it please see my earlier comment about purchasing the kit.

[@tomlewis509]

@@benhortonben9105 very soon. Possibly today,

[@tomlewis509]

@@benhortonben9105 no problem. I'm hoping to put this up later today or tomorrow for sale. We will just have to check on shipping costs.

[@jarose7396]

The manual pump is the problem. In rough seas, it's difficult to open a hatch to insert the pump (water coming in hatch as you are pumping it out...at least while moving). I printed a pump fitting to mount to the deck, with a TPU cap and below deck I have a 1" hose running to the bottom of the boat and keep the pump strapped to the aka for access. The top of the pump port (it is lined with a tpu gasket glued in for a snug fit on the pump) is just a friction fit, hold the pump to it and pump. Can pump without opening any hatch now. I am also equipped with an automatic bilge. Ain't 3d printers great?

[@tomlewis509]

Nice solution. Yes, anyone that tinkers should definitely get a 3D printer. The possibilities are endless.

[@joshuar6347]

Do you have a plan to hand pump the water out while still on the water, if the bilge pump stops working? I was thinking of a cone to put around the hatch to stop waves from splashing in and pumping out periodically. In extreme cases, maybe an inflatable mattress that is inflated under the boat then hand pump out the water. Another option is to fill the boat with “ping pong balls” basically anything that is extremely buoyant to take up space and negate the need to pump water out.

[@tomlewis509]

I do have a hand pump that I take on longer trips, but I can tell you from experience it's pretty useless in a rolling ocean. If you plan to put stuff inside the hull, just make sure it doesn't conflict with the rudder lines.

[@tomlewis509]

I just uploaded a video that shows the installation procedure using my bilge pump installation kit. You can see it at: tinyurl.com/HobieBilge

[@DNYS8N]

I have a 2007. I’ve never quite understood the AI. I take on too much water no matter. Plus in the cockpit the water keeps up flowing in from the pedal drive hole.

[@markstamp872]

I have 2 AIs, and if you are getting a lot of water infiltration, it's almost certainly coming in thru the front hatch. There are a lot of ways to get a better seal on the front hatch. Search on the Hobie forum and you'll find a lot of info (I'm NowhereMan, in case you want to see my solution, which is particularly simple).

[@d-rot]

Those 3D parts are nice. Share or sell the files? I need to set up my 3d printer this would be a good first project as I'm setting up my new-to-me TI now.

[@tomlewis509]

Sorry, I stopped sharing stl files after people took them and started selling the prints. I will, however, be selling the parts necessary to secure the bilge pump to the hatch in a few days, after I make a few design changes. $85 + shipping.

[@d-rot]

@@tomlewis509 Naw, I'll make my own.

[@tomlewis509]

@@d-rot It's a fun project. Good luck.

[@markmaxwell2765]

Please show your handrail system, that could be a very useful addition for a friend of mine.

[@tomlewis509]

I'll try to do a video on the rail system in the future. Basically, it's just lengths of 1" SS tubing cut as needed. It'll be a while before I get to the video, but I'll put it on my calendar!

[@maxwellmark]

@@tomlewis509 That would be great, mostly I’m interested in how you use it and is it sturdy. My friend that sails his TI is handicapped and I think something like that might make it easier to move around getting on and off. How you found it useful?

[@tomlewis509]

@@maxwellmark yes, it's very sturdy. I made it because I was concerned about how exposed I was while moving back and forth from the rear seat while solo on the ocean. The railing provides a sturdy place to grab onto while moving about the boat. My wife also appreciates it on the days she sails with me.

[@jeyoutdoors704]

How can i contact u? I want to learn how to make that stand for motor

[@tomlewis509]

I previously posted a video on the motor mount here on KZbin. Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPRkpZva8h0jbs

[@jeyoutdoors704]

Many thanks bro....really appreciate it

[@tomlewis509]

@@jeyoutdoors704 Of course. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@user-pn1ye3ge7w]

Would like to buy the 3D prints if you are willing to make and send. Thank you.

[@tomlewis509]

I will be offering the printed parts that secure the bilge pump to the hatch in a few days, after I make a few design changes.

[@tomlewis509]

As noted above, I just uploaded the flyer to the Facebook Hobie Adventure & Tandem Island group page. If you're not on there, email me at [e-mail] and I'll send the flyer to you. I've got a handful of the kits ready to ship and I'm printing more as fast as I can (it's a very long print.) Let me know.