Bilge pump for my boat?

[geedubcpa]

I forgot to put my boat plug in today - I guess at 6am I am forgetful. At any rate I got the boat pulled back out and dried out quickly.

I have decided that I want to buy a bilge pump, but I am at a loss as to what I need.

I have a 1981 16 foot starcraft aluminum boat.

Any recomendations or ideas?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Trailered boat??? Then I would go with a regular bilge pump on a switch...... you could spend the extra and get one with a float switch.

Consider this .....they are rated at GPH gallons per hour.... so divide by 60 to see it's one minute capacity.

This one is 18 gallons per minute which is great http://www.iboats.com/Rule-1100-Man...89620461--**********.432412688--view_id.39570

Remember to get a hose and the outlet too.

 

[DJ]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

The absolute BIGGEST one you can afford.

The corrugated hoses cut down efficiency a great deal. Use smooth wall (inside) hose.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

I too am for the bigger the better.
Mine can pump out faster than a garden hose can put it in (with new plumbing) and has a float switch also, just for good measure.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

pumps are rated for level output, but if you add the riser and inefficient hoses , the GPH rate drops like a stone. 500 might actually only be 350.
So I got two.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

I've put this one in both of my Starcrafts. Has a simple built in float switch. I'm a big fan http://www.iboats.com/SeaSense-Auto...7966802--**********.333189087--view_id.392307

 

[wambs8]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Ya get the biggest one you can afford. With a 3/4 outlet that is about 800 gph. I think the next biggest hose size is 1-1/8
I bought this one http://www.iboats.com/Rule-Bilge-Pump-Square-800-Gph-Pump/dm/*******.511092561--**********.218290941--view_id.39563. It doesnt have a built in float so you have to buy one. Also I will be buying thishttp://www.sea-dog.com/422035.htm. This switch uses 2 floats. One as a back up. If the back up float gets activited a light on the panel and a alarm goes off. Also the pump starts even if you have the pump turned off. It does require 2 floats and a fancy switch but I think it offers piece of mind.

 

[wambs8]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Forgot to mention this linkhttp://www.iboats.com/One-Way-Safety-Drain-Plug-Seasense/dm/*******.511092561--**********.311040355--view_id.237497 IF you every forget the plug again.

 

[ghamby]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Then get a hand pump and a bucket for when all else fails.
http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/product_list/7/50/
http://www.iboats.com/Manual-Hand-B...2450990--**********.000667097--view_id.217443

 

[jonesg]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

The best setup is a pump at the bottom of the bilge w manual switch.
Then a second pump installed higher up on an auto switch.

Theres always some water splashing around in there, that can cause problems for an auto switch, the worst is dirt and the second problem is the switch is constantly flicking on and off as water flows back and forth.

 

[wambs8]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Umm. never thought about 2 pumps one manual and one on auto float. Guess 2 pumps better then one. Question-Can both pumps be at the same level? and with 2 pumps will you need 2 holes cut in the transom or could you use some type of check valve.

 

[tdrudd87]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

If you mount one higher than the other, you will be protecting the higher one a little bit from the bilge junk and corrosion. Makes for a better backup, like jonesg said.

I would do two holes as well. If the cause of your flooding is a broken thru hull on the first pump, the second will still pump out. True redundancy is the best.

Terry

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Bilge pump for my boat?

Here's a little tip: Take some nylon/plastic screen material (not metal so it wont rust) and wrap it around the bilge pump intake and zip tie it. My Lund is open in the back and I get weeds, leaves, fishing line, plastic wrappers, etc...in the bilge on occasion. This will help prevent the bilge pump from getting jamed and blow a fuse.

Get the biggest pump you think will fit and like others have said use smooth wall hose. For a 16' trailered boat I wouldn't worry about a float switch or dual system. Keep it simple.