What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

[SiggiJo]

Hi guys - Since my boat is only 14' I don´t go out in marginal weather and I´d never use having good bilge pumps as an excuse to take undue chances.<br /><br />But I´ve been reading up on the subject, and I think bilge pump capacity gets even more important on a small vessel - since she would fill up so much quicker. My boat has a seperate, watertight cavity under the floor in the hull -that acts as a floating chamber if the boat would take on water - as would happen if being swamped. By the same token she will float if that cavity get´s filled with water - as long as the floor holds up. I am installing 3 1100 GPH Rule pumps - one under the floor and two above. All are wired directly to the two boat batteries -no fuses - I know is a debating issue here on iboats. All connections and plumbing through floor are sealed and watertight.<br /><br />I don´t want flotation foam - as I think from reading up on this forum it´s more trouble than it´s worth but I still want to be as safe as possible. <br /><br />Is this a good plan? Any constructive comments appreciated...

 

[JB]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Boat topic.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

So sorry JB. What was I thinking...?

 

[tommays]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

I would have fuses that would protect the wire size from an electric short, i think there is much more of a chance of and Electric fire than needing 3 pumps on a 14' boat<br /><br />tommays

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Don't add so much to avoid sinking that you contribute to the possibility. That's a lot of added weight. Bilge pumps are more for preventing sinking than unsinking. One small pump should be adequate. A bucket will move a lot of water in a hurry and weights ounces as opposed to hundreds of pounds.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Fair comments, but Willy - I don´t agree on the weight issue.<br />An electrical bilge pump, hose and wiring weighs less than a couple of pounds - even if the three of them come to 10 lbs, that´s less than the weight of my on-board tool kit.<br /><br />Tommays - I will seriously consider fusing them.<br /><br />As I see it any real weight penalty will be in the second battery, but as I have a lot of other electrical items on the boat - small as she is - I want the redundancy that a second battery will give me.<br /><br />I have read accident reports - fatalities and all - here in the UK with small boats sinking - where good bilge pump capacity would have helped. A bucket? - yes, you bet. Got one of those as well....<br /><br />When do we go from safe to paranoid? Am I across that line? Where I originally come from, we drive our cars with headlights on at all times. While this will never stop people from crashing into each other, research has shown increased visibility does help reduce accidents. I look at it as inexpensive insurance. Guess I view bilge pumps in a similar manner.... Feel free to correct me if I´m wrong.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

See if I understand you correctly - you have two bilge pumps, plus a third located in an air chamber? So the first two are for normal operation (rain, swimmers dripping water, spray from waves, forgot the plug etc.), and the third is in case your floatation chamber springs a leak? Sounds logical to me - only one real redundancy - some might call it prudent.<br /><br />Redundant battery - not necessarily paranoid - depends on the conditions you boat in, the real consequences of failure, and how bad the weight penalty hurts ya.<br /><br />What is meant by "OD limit"?

 

[steelespike]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

It's hard to argue with erring on the side of caution but 3,300 gallons of pumping capacity Wow.<br /> while your boat appears to fill quicker it will also empty quicker.I don't think your boat would hold 1,000 gallons filled to the gunwales.<br /> If your worried about swamping get a bigger boat.There are big 14 footers and small 14 footers.If your's is on the small side you will be amazed at the difference going to a bigger boat.And a side benifit your big 14 will plane better with a load and run faster loaded with the same motor.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Well guys - I have to boat in the English Channel and while a bigger boat would be nice, I decided on one this size, as I can keep her in my garage during winter and I can launch and retrieve her without having to bug my friends every time I get the idea to go out.<br /><br />I guess my boat is a "big" 14 footer - she´s got a good freeboard for her size. 70 hp Rude and 6 hp kicker for emergencies - full instrumentation. Two switchable fuel tanks - two batteries with selector switch.<br /><br />"OD" stands for overdose - probably "overkill" would describe me better - I fix airplanes for living so that´s probably where my "redundant" outlook comes from. <br /><br />I think the GPH ratings on pumps can be a bit misleading. If you somehow get a lot of water in your boat, you just want to dump it overboard as quickly as possible and bilge pumps are cheap.<br /><br />I can see I´ll have to post some photos when I´m all done - that way you´ll see what I mean...

 

[Rudy Brown]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

I agree with you 100%. If it gives you peace of mind, go for it.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

A 70 and a kicker on a 14? I see why you're nervous! The weight on the transom must be staggering. I'll bet there's only a few inches between the water and the top of the transom when you're not on plane. You need a lighter transom load or a bigger boat. At least move all of the weight you can forward to level the boat better. But still, the floatation provided in that boat is for "normal" loading. You're moving in a direction where the boat is more likely to sink than float if enough water gets in.<br /><br />Look at it this way. You can add hundreds of pounds of safety equipment to a little plane and it won't fly because it's too heavy. That's the direction you're heading. IMHO

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

It sure sounds like a good idea and certainly wouldn't hurt. However, small boats sinking on large bodies of water like the channel, have little to do with how many pumps they have on board. It's simply using a too small boat on waters that can't handle the windy conditions that suddenly may come up.<br /><br />If you haven't already, invest in a good floation device that you will wear while boating.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

In my opinion, if you damage the boat in such a way that you are taking water into both your double bottom and your bilge, 15 bilge pumps aren't likely going to help enough. <br /><br />I don't quite agree with your ideas about a small boat needing more pumps. Yes it would fill faster from a leak than a larger boat. But that's not because the rate of flow from a potential leak would be greater. If you have a leak that is say, 10 gpm, then that's all the pump capacity you would need to keep up to the leak regardless of the size of your vessel.<br /><br />I would consider design features like metal floatation tanks in bow area and under thwarts or foam floatation along the hull sides near the gunwale. These types of floatation would help prevent the boat from capsizing due to flooding much more than a double bottom due to their higher center of bouyancy. If you can, look at the design features on life boats or rescue boats that are used on passenger ships in your area.

 

[QC]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Personally, I think you now have enough pumping capacity to qualify as a jr. Fire Boat If that's what you're trying to build then you have not OD'd . . .

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

Another thing you could consider if the deck is near or above the waterline, is to make the cockpit self-draining by putting large scuppers on the transom with "socks" on the outside that can be pulled up. (a system commonly seen on rigid hull inflatables used in rescue work) <br /><br />I would think the greatest risk you run of shipping water in a small craft like yours is over the gunwale due to rough seas or from wash off large vessels.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

I know what you guys are saying about the weight on the transom, but the kicker is stored in the bow and both batteries and fuel tanks are under the seats - near boat´s center of gravity. I won´t really know how this will work until I get the boat on the water - hopefully next month.

 

[Solittle]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

I'm with Willy on this one. I think that you are grossly overloaded weight wise - you need to get a bunch of weight out. I urge you to rethink this one.

 

[SiggiJo]

Re: What is the OD limit on bilge pumps

With all you great guys our there - including SoLittle (why couldn´t I think of a name like that) I will rethink this one. What´s the point in asking if you don´t like the answeres...<br /><br />Can´t do anything about my engine - boat is rated for 60 HP and I have re-enforced the heck out of the transom to take the 70 HP - although not much weight difference. Going with 1 batt and 1 fuel tank for the first ride - will see how she sits and rides and will take it from there. <br /><br />Got a set of proper Smart Tabs on my garage shelf in case she needs help in the rear end (probably) but would like to see how she goes naked first.