bilge pump?

[tfbrown1270]

Hi, I have a 16 1/2 foot run-a-bout with an 85hp Force o/b.....I don't have a weaterproof cover to leave on the boat when I go home for the week, consequently I have found it nearly sunk a few times after heavy rains. <br />CAn anyone recommend a bilge pump, I'm not sure if I want autmatic as a fellow at the lake said it would likely run my battery down. Said to start the boat (full of water?) and then use a munual switched pump to pump it out...any thoughts...makes/models/prices etc weould be appreciated.<br /><br />Tim (Winnipeg and Kenora, Canada)

 

[1965MT]

Re: bilge pump?

You probably want an automatic pump with a switch. My boat had the manual switch pump only and I have since installed an additional automatic pump. If the pump runs the battery down because it was pumping water then you bought yourself some time. I like the idea of having two pumps. (even thought the boat lasted 38 years without the second pump) The pump is wired directly to the battery. I bought mine from Overtons for about $50 bucks, and now I wish I would have gotten a better one. If you buy an automatic pump the literature that you get will say that you have to have the Manual/Auto/Off switch that goes with it. The nice thing about the switch is that it comes prewired with a light that tells you the pump is running.

 

[airman]

Re: bilge pump?

If you don't get an automatic the problem won't change at all. You'll still come to an almost sunk boat, just one with a pump in it. If you don't get an automatic, you may as well just get a hand pump instead. Your batery will get drained if you leave the boat long enough. A solar panel may help. Personally, I would invest in a good cover. If your boat has any wood in it at all, the rain will certainly rot it if you leave it outside long enough. If my dad had bought a cover for his 21' cuddy he would have saved me from replacing the transom. If I had bought one when I did the transom I wouldn't be pulling up the floors now. This time I'm making a cover.

 

[Lou C]

Re: bilge pump?

If you are leaving an open boat with a non self bailing cockpit without a cover or auto bilge switch, you are lucky it did not sink already! Get the auto switch (Sure-Bail is a good one) and put in a larger capacity battery (deep cycle) so it does not run down.The cover is costly but worth it. I re-did the seats in my boat this year and had a cover made to keep the water out. If you plan to keep the boat it is the way to go. Otherwise you will have rot problems, bird crap problems, and the seats will look terrible in a few years.

 

[MrBill]

Re: bilge pump?

Invest in a mooring cover (about $150) to keep most water out. It will give great peace of mind by keeping almost all water out and protect the boat tremendously from sunlight (UV). And...get the auto bilge pump, Rule makes good auto self-contained units 500, 750 and 1000 gallons per hour. The built-in auto switch is the way to go for your application. The 500 is more than sufficient for your boat, it's about $40 and operates both auto and manual. I don't know anyone that's on a mooring who does not have an auto bilge, and we all have covers. The boats with only cockpit and bow covers even let in quite a bit of water.<br /><br />Note: If you're in a cold climate...remove the pump from the bilge during winter. Ice tends to damage the auto switch if a few inches of water are left in the bilge at close-up.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: bilge pump?

I'd go with the cover and a good bilge pump. I have my own dock so that allowed me to buy a cheapy Wal-mart $50 cover and some supports, and set up properly it does not allow water to pool on the cover. Being docked at my house allows me to look out the window to make sure everything is staying put, but if your boat is moored elsewhere, you should think about getting a proper snapped cover custom made for the boat. The few hundred spent is a bit less than new floor, stringers, transom, seats, you name it. Good luck either way...

 

[ndemge]

Re: bilge pump?

MrBill... glad you said something about cold...<br /><br />gonna dump a lil antifreeze on my bilge and turn it on to keep those inards from freeze'n up. Didn't have a problem last year, but just one more thing that COULD freeze