Bilge Pump

[Andyfender]

I do have one installed and I know the purpose of it.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

I am very new to boating and have many questions. If your boat does not leak why have a bilge pump? I have a bilge pump installed on my boat, as I do take on a little water. Does using the gas outboard help in some way of getting water into the boat?

Why have insurance if you never have accidents?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

A bilge pump waill remove water that gets in the boat from waves, rainwater, swimmers coming aboard, a damaged hull, or even a bad engine pump.
Don't leave port without one!

 

[rbh]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

I am very new to boating and have many questions. If your boat does not leak why have a bilge pump? I have a bilge pump installed on my boat, as I do take on a little water. Does using the gas outboard help in some way of getting water into the boat?

Andy

Because, you just never know when you could take on some water.

 

[mikeroche]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

why not.. what do you do if it rains,jumping in and out,fishing,washing the inside,a leak, the law.. i'm being nice,please go take a boater safety course.sorry not trying to be mean,but in a earlier post you said the boat leaks a little,then you ask why a bilge pump

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

It is basically a sump pump for your boat. Just like the one in your house, it may not run often but you will be glad you had one.

 

[MyViewGS]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

pretty much any reason you might imagine that would include the unwanted build up of water in the hull while you're on the water.

It's better to have it and NOT need it than to NEED it and not have it !!

MyViewGS

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Forgot the plug

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Why pack a lunch if you aren't hungry?

 

[capt sam]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

I once had a livewell hose break inside the bilge and it so happened that my bilge pump stopped working at the same time, by the time I realized what was going on my stern was pretty low to the waterline, always carry a manual pump with you also.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

scratching my head with this question....
Welcome to the forum....looks like you need to spend some edumacation time here reading and learning until you understand a bit more about boating......until then , for your own safety (and your passengers)...stay on dry land....

 

[Philster]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

You install a bilge pump because the odds of a boat getting water in it is somewhere in the neighborhood of "guaranteed".

One wrong move and in just a seconds worth of time you could take on enough water to sink the boat or render it very dangerous.

The question really should be: "Which TWO-pump setup should I use?"

 

[alien4fish]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

I run 2 bilge pumps in my boat, both with auto switches/ and manual switches at the dash
The 1st one is a Rule 800 gph, set at the lowest point in the bilge.
The 2nd one is a Rule 1200 gph set mid high.
Double insurance in case you have a major Failure or event.


Take a boaters safety class, and read read read read read, these and other boating forums, good luck.
K

 

[bomar76]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Why a Fire Extinguisher on boats?

I do have one in my boat but it is only on fire a little bit, but if your boat wasn't on fire why would you have one?

 

[JimMH]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

that is like asking why carry Life Jackets if you can swim only becuase the law says you have to. Same for a fire extingisher and on and on. When you get caught in summer shower you will appreciate having the pump. I had a raw water pump gasket begin to leak once and by the time we got to the ramp if we didn't have the bilge we would have been in trouble. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

My boat does not take on water at all. I have seen my bilge pump turn on three times.
1. I was a new boater and hadn't yet learned that floating the boat onto the trailer (as opposed to winching it on) all but guarantees the boat will not go on the trailer straight. Put boat back into water to straighten after pulling plug and very quickly noticed the pump running. I have an I/O and if the bilge would have filled to the point where my starter got wet it would not have been long until the starter failed.

2. Some A-hole in a 25- 30 foot boat decides to take off from a stop and circle around me with no regard for his wake. The front of my boat was totally swamped with me, my wife and 2YO, my brother in-law, his wife and 5YO on board. Even if you are the safest and most responsible boater in the world, others can put you in a pretty bad spot and you had better be as prepared as possible. A fully loaded boat plus a bilge full of water is not a very safe thing.

3. Fishing and it started to pour. I knew the rain would pass from the weather report. Since the boat was already soaked and the fish were biting like crazy only lightning (or no bilge pump) would have forced me to end my day early.

To summarize why I need a bilge pump the reasons are
1. I'm stupid (prevented damage)
2. Others can be even more stupid (Kept my loved ones safe)
3. Stupid weather (your not the boss of me)

I'd be very concerned with an outboard and a boat that takes on water. If you are getting water through the transom and it turns to mush (which it will) you might end up needing a whole lot more than a bilge pump.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

By the way, here on Iboats most members spend so much time trying to be "the perfect boater" that often questions like this are met with hostility. Don't take it so hard, we are here to help so any questions no matter how silly you or some of the other members here think they are are welcome.

I got flamed once or twice when I was new here. I'd hate to scare off anyone around here that wants to learn to be a better boater.

P.S. not trying to attack any of the previous posts, as they were pretty tame. Just want the OP to feel welcome here.

 

[Aqualift]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

My 14ft Glastron doesn't have a bilge pump. Just pointing out that not everybody uses one.

 

[Philster]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

I'm done, people. The last 'I don't have a bilge pump' guy did it.

No bilge pump bilge = dumb

Even a self-bailing boat doesn't have scuppers that are 100% reliable. As a matter of fact, scuppers sink many boats.

Bilge pump.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Re: Why a Bilge Pump

Wow, I'm surprised this thread 1) exists & 2) got so many responses. A boat without a bilge pump seems to contradict all common sense. Seems like the response should be a no-brainer to me.