Bilge Pumps

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BoatCrazy

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Looking to add two more bilge pumps to my new used to me Formula.

It has a self bailing deck, which is not closed off with plugs. I am not a fan of self bailing decks. Thats a discussion for another time.

When I wash the boat down, there is standing water on either side of the engine compartment, which is where I want to add the pumps. The boat currently has two bilge pumps, one is automatic, and one is a run dry non automatic, which gets every last drop of water out of the bilge.

I do not mind having non automatic pumps (mean I need to flip the switch to turn the pump on and off). I actually like that. HOWEVER, I am not a fan of having a separate float switch.

My last boat had two Sahara bilge pumps, and they were good, No complaints at all.

I dont think I need a high GPH output, so what do you all recommend and suggest as far as units go?
 
If you just need to get rid of occasional water in a small compartment you don't need anything big, 800 gph should be fine

The more important question is what size primary bilge pump you have. You should have at least TWO pumps with float switches and lights, ideally 2000goh each
 
Remember, too, that smaller boats actually require more pump capacity than larger because they will sink with a substantially smaller amount of water onboard. Remember also that I/O's have larger areas to leak. If you have 2000 gallons per hour of pumping capacity and a 3000 gallon per hour leak you will most likely sink. Pumps rated capacity is with fully charged bakeries and no pump head.
 
I dont recall off hand what the current GPH is on my two now, but I know they are more then enough. I have it written down, just need to look for it.

I dont mind going higher on GPH for the topside pumps, my main question is brand and model.

Are there brands to stay away from or are pumps, pumps, and doesnt really matter...

Like I said, I had saharas before, thats what my mechanic put in the boat when my old rule had died.
 
quote:
Originally posted by BoatCrazy

I dont recall off hand what the current GPH is on my two now, but I know they are more then enough. I have it written down, just need to look for it.

I dont mind going higher on GPH for the topside pumps, my main question is brand and model.

Are there brands to stay away from or are pumps, pumps, and doesnt really matter...

Like I said, I had saharas before, thats what my mechanic put in the boat when my old rule had died.

Click to expand...


You don't need bigger pumps to dewater a non critical compartment, in fact smaller pumps will leave less water when they stop

You don't have two pumps right now, you only hve one automatic pump. Aren't mercs drives know to sink boats when the bellow fail? That other manual pump doesn't do you any good...

Again, if you don't have TWO 2000gph on that boat, you re asking for it.
 
It's been my observation that the smaller the pump is, the dryer it will get your bilge. However you still need a good backup pump, and maybe a backup for the backup. I have three in my engine room a 500, a 1200, and a 4000. So far the 4000 has never even gotten wet, but it's there and it works.
 
If you have standing water, look for clogged drain holes into the main bilge area. You may not need to add the pumps.
 
That reminds me, I forgot to put the hose extension, on the nipple and valve I added to my freshwater engine filter lids.
As long as the engine isn't the source of the water, and it will run, and you can shut the thru hull off and open the valve on the lid. . .you got two extra pumps. (two engines)
 
I do not just the float switches that are not built into the base of the pump.
 
quote:
Originally posted by BoatCrazy

I do not just the float switches that are not built into the base of the pump.

Click to expand...


English por favore? :)
 
Yeah, sorry thats what happens when I use my Iphone to log in. I cant see the screen and then auto correct.

Anyways, I do not trust the separate float switches. If they are the ones built into the base of the pump, I do trust those.
 
I m not sure about that. I find it hard to beat rule when it comes to quality.

Yes float switches fail once in a while but they re easy to replace. Pumps with built in switches like the Sahara are basically throw away when the switch fail and they do.

Over the years I ve tried 3 Saharas and they failed after a couple of years. Between bilge and sumps I have over 20 rule pumps with switches on my boats and the one I run and I ve been getting 5 to 10 years from them on average. I ve replaced 3 switches over the years and 1 pump. Out of 20+ it s better average than Saharas
 
I installed an 8000 gph rule as a crash pump in my engine room and two 4000 gph pumps in the lazerette and under the salon. These aren't meant to be everyday pumps I have three little ones (800-1000 gph?) that handle the other needs. The engine room crash pump saved my boat a month after I installed it. I hit a submerged object out in the middle of the Chesapeake and broke my shaft log in half which opened a nice 3" hole under my engine. Even at 8000 gph the crash pump only kept up when I was on plane but without it we would have sunk for sure. Seems like it paid for itself even if I never have to use it again. By the way, ten years and I've only replaced one bilge switch. I guess I am due.
 
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