Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

[Recoil Rob]

I'll be slipping my dory this year and need a small, 500 gph, pump to pump out rainwater.

Anything I should consider when choosing a brand? I'm looking at Rule, Attwood and Johnson.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

Welcome to iBoats Rob. Please feel free to ask questions as you need. Even simple questions help others who read the posts. And as I like to say the only dumb question is one you wished you had asked before you got into "that" situation.

All are good choices. I assume you will be getting one with or adding an automatic switch.

You might consider an extra battery for the pump so if it rains much you will still have a starting battery when you need it.

You might consider listing info about your boat and location on a signature line.
It sometimes helps us know what you are working on when it matters.

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

So you won't have a cover on your boat when its in the slip? So sun will beat down on it and the rain will fill her up.

I always have mine covered except when I am in it.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Re: Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

Thanks, after speaking with all three companies I am going with a Rule 500 with automatic switch and side mount adapter. The boat has a cored bottom so I will attach the pump to the transom.

The motor is a manual start but has an alternator for charging, the battery will be a small deep cycle, a UP1 group, the only thing it will be used for is the bilge. A small depthfinder and GPS may be used but only while underway and the 8hp Honda's charger will take care of that.

As for a cover, it was explained to me that a water proof cover will not let the boat dry out after being used and I would be better off with a permeable cover that will keep dirt, dust, seagull droppings, etc. off the boat but let rainwater through. Is this wrong?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

Sound reasoning on the cover, but I think you are over estimating the output of your honda's charging system.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Re: Small Boat Bilge Pumps, any preference?

Sound reasoning on the cover, but I think you are over estimating the output of your honda's charging system.

It's a 6A charging system, the battery has a 20 hour reserve capacity of 33Ahrs. Enough to run the GPS and sounder I would think but perhaps I am wrong. It's a Garmin 492 and a very old Lowrance 25 B&W sounder, they both use 3A fuses so I would think they both draw under 3A each.