How often should a bilge pump kick on?

[BugsBunnyBoater]

I was at the marina talking and noticed that the cabin cruiser moored net to my slip bilge pump was spitting out water every 10 min or so. I asked if that was normal and he said yeah.. But seems to me if his pump fails with it kicking on every ten minutes that boat would take on a lotta water in a few hours.

 

[bomar76]

Re: How often should a bilge pump kick on?

Ideally, never.
The whole idea of a boat is to keep the water out.
He has a major leak somewhere.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: How often should a bilge pump kick on?

If it was truly his bilge pump, and not his A/C discharge, one explanation is that something drains into the bilge and not overboard. Like the shower drain, the sink drain in the shower, the condensation from the A/C. There could be others. Might be a perfectly normal thing. Might be a problem. But it's not your boat, so you are good!