FX-1 Bilge mounting in an FX-1

[EfX]

I figured I'd ask around since it seems the bilge is not easy to get into a FX-1 at the rear like my SJ. Have any of you ever heard of anyone trimming / grinding the blue basket on the bottom of the rule bilge pump slightly to contour a little better near the chine that is close to the mid-shaft for lower fit at the rear? I looked around this morning, all I found were Kawi and SJ setups, and they are no issue at all since they are wider. Or maybe I just need to make a little pad to lift it slightly, or just mount it right on top of the curve on the chine...but it seems either of those options would be as pointless as mounting the pump in front of the motor behind the gas tank since it will sit about 2-3 inches higher.

Once upon a time, I used to have my pump mounted between the tank and motor, and it got extreme water intake out which is the main point. However, for amounts of water in the hull that would not reach the pump, I would have to ride it out of the siphon, and sometimes that is a pita rather than flipping a switch and its done.

I'm just curious if any of you have heard or seen or have any pics of an FX-1 with a single rule or even dual rule bilge pump set up in the rear of the engine bay. I read that the mid-shaft bilge brackets do not work on the FX-1 either, and I can see why. Skinny hull and all. Besides, silicone / epoxy will get it much lower.

I plan to keep the siphon bilge and run the one rule bilge - for now anyway. Getting the pump in place is the only issue, and before I commit, cut modify or chop anything, I figured I'd ask and see what others have done, and perhaps get some ideas from others that have built up their FX-1's.

 

[jdmforlife]

Do a scupper problem-solved.. I did my bilge in front of the motor and mounted to the battery tray using a bilge bracket and trimming as need to make it work...

 

[EfX]

I still have the custom aluminum bracket I made years ago that mounted onto the battery box similar to what you did. I was trying to get the pump in the rear of the hull this time around.

 

[mk1]

Hi , I glued the base of my bilge pump in at the rear of the engine bay. Then when set , attached in the pump etc. If you go easy on the glue there will be plenty of opening at the sides to draw in the water. It is a tight fit but can be done. I also left the original bilge in situ...

 

[Joker]

I will snap pictures of my setup when I get home. I basically bolted a L bracket to the coupler cover then used a big hose clamp and clamped the bilge to it. Solid as a rock.

 

[EfX]

Thanks for replies. Pictures would be great Joker. Any other suggestions or mounting schemes that worked are welcome.
I'm kind of wondering though and a little off topic - how much flex do you all think happens around the mid-shaft area when under power, leaving enter the water, riding chop etc? Maybe I am overly concerned with the mid shaft flex and tightness of the fit with the bilge and shouldn't be? Just curious as I know there is flex there, not sure what normal flex would be.

 

[Noodes7792]

Zip ties to the steering cable. It's kinda ghetto but stands up straight and works like a champ

 

[EfX]

I got it installed. I just ended up trimming the blue basket on the pump. I screwed it up on the first shot which is why the angle in the pic on the basket. But it works great, and installed using the OCD Tidy bilge. I realized that since the reinforcing in the engine bay, it made things just a little tighter - and brighter - than stock :-D Tested yesterday and it seems to be holding just fine. When the pump is in, the exit tube runs under the mid shaft with plenty of clearance.

Some pics of the basket installed:

 

[Joker]

sorry about being so late to respond but here is my cheap setup