bilge pumps....which one?

[IOWA BOATER]

1978 Cobalt has origional bilge pump with a float switch and is getting weak - have to push water into it from the outside to prime it. I am going to replace it but have a few questions. The pump is not in the bilge, it is located next to the tilt/trim pump and has a hose into the bilge. Should I replace with same type or put one in the bilge? Also what's good? What do you guys use? Thanks!!!

 

[DJ]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

I like the Mayfair brand with the replaceable cartridges. If your bilge pump occasionally ingests some junk, it wears out the impellers. The Mayfairs allow tyou to replace the motor/impeller assembly.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

if it's the original pump how many gph is it? the reason i ask is that most boat manuf. skimp here. they'll put a 500 gph pump in a 20 ft. runabout. what many boaters don't realize is that in a small boat u need a larger pump {g.p.h.} beacause a 20 footer will fill up with water a lot faster than say a 30 footer. therefore u need a pump that can handle a lot of water fast. if the pump says 500 g.p.h., in reality it will only pump say 350 g.p.h., due to gravity etc. if u get a major leak with that size pump, your in deep u know what. just my $.02.

 

[DJ]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

Sea Wolf makes a very good point. If you have a 500, go to a minimum of 750. If you have a 750, go to a 1000-you get the idea.

 

[crab bait]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

if you can mount it in the bilge without alot of hassel do it..it aleviates the hose which is the soarse of your problem.. even a short hose causes priming problems.. plus with hose you lose gpm oppose to direct mount ..

 

[araiha]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

One of the best pumps available is the rule 1500. They have a warranteed one that is virtually bulletproof. Spendy, but I like staying on top with dry feet. <br /><br />I have two 1500 gph pumps in my boat, one forward, one aft.<br /><br />I would put in as much pump as your electrical system and room will allow.<br /><br />Even with my set-up I am only (ideally, actual is less) moving 50 gallons/minute. Still not a lot of water if you take a big slug for some reason.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

The main reason for putting the pump higher and using a hose is if there's no room or access is bad. If you want to fit a filter it might be easier on a hose than on a pump housing.<br /><br />If you imagine water constantly coming in through a hole (even minor) in the hull, you'll agree to the posts regarding capacity.

 

[BobZ]

Re: bilge pumps....which one?

Pumps don't handle liquids efficiently on the suction side. They 'push' liquid much better than they 'pull'. <br /><br />That is why most pumps sit down on the hull.