Hi there, Whale do a 12Volt bilge pump but like most other pumps they need a minimum of 1/2" water depth. Any pump that draws water from its base, unlike the wake which draws water through its side ports, is likely to suck up any dirt etc. which could cause blocking. There is an excellent manual suction pump made by Pela Products which will remove almost all water. It is also usefull for doing an engine oil change; the probe goes down the oil dip stick tube. There is a potential danger is with a 12volt pump if fitted with an automatic switch that when the battery goes flat then your boat sinks. If you have a bad water ingress problem then the best thing to do is to sort it.
I was very disappointed with only one reply. So I did my own research and through the post this morning came a superb piece of engineering costing a total of £42.45. A automatic bilge pump which searches for water every 2.5 minutes but only uses 0.20 amps per day in search mode. when water reaches 38mm it will switch on and pumps down to 20mm and is capable of 500 gallons per hr.It is fitted with a mesh filter which is very easily cleaned although I will fit a large stainless mesh around the pump as a pre-filter. Also it is fitted with 3 wires so an override switch can be used. I think every boat should be fitted with one of these because its not so easy stopping rain water from getting in the bilge. A solar panel to keep the battery topped up and you would not have to worry so much when you leave your boat unattended
I think the lack of replys are probably because most have fairly dry boats - My Bilge pump is currently aboard Dads Sewer Tube !
Absolutely no water in the boat at all & hasnt had since the new Canopy.
I.m not sure on the 32 whether the front / middle & rear bilges are connected ? On the 22 they are but you never get all the water in one place . I kept my pump mobile & moved it about , it wwas bottom fed & sucked all amount or crud without problems
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding)
We have a bilge pump, but it will only kick in when there is 2" of water, but it will shift a hell of a lot of water. It is there incase we get a hole in the bottom.
For everything else there is the Aquavac or disposable nappys.
Adi I am going to drill through the bulkheads against the keel and seal in small plastic pipe so they will be connected and if need be ballast the boat so it is slightly lower at the stern where I will fit the pump. Because I am working on the boat at home I am getting rainwater in. But hopefully next year when it is finished there only be a small amount. I am lucky enough to be able to put it on my lake for testing before it goes hundreds of miles away onto a canal.
bilge pump
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 15:15:00
