Most experts recommend that every boat over 16’ should carry a minimum of 2 bilge pumps. It’s safe to assume that actual flow will be around 60% of rated flow, but if you’re planning to place a pump in a deep bilge, test it first to make sure it can lift water high enough and maintain an adequate flow rate.
In practice, you’re always pumping water up to a higher level, which reduces flow, especially in sailboats, which have deeper bilges than powerboats. Remember that pumps are tested for output with the inflow and outflow at the same level. If you’re sailing in open water or rough conditions you’ll want to be at the high end of the range, and excess capacity never hurts. How much pumping power do you need? This table provides a rough estimate. They will not pump fast enough to compensate for major leaks or hull damage! Remember that bilge pumps are designed to remove water that enters your boat through slow leaks or over the deck. Before you look at pumps, you should inspect your bilges and know what you need to keep dry. Many bilges have more than one compartment. It’s where any water inside your boat goes, and it needs to be pumped out regularly. The bilge is the lowest portion of a boat’s hull (bottom). Keeping water out of your boat is too important to leave up to chance or a guess! If you’re not sure what type of pump and what capacity you need, consult your boat manufacturer’s recommendations or ask for advice from more experienced boaters. If your boat has more than one compartment below the waterline, you’ll need pumps in each one. Many sailors prefer a low-profile pump in the deepest part of the bilge backed up by a higher capacity pump mounted a bit higher, designed to provide more capacity if the primary pump can’t handle the load. Different boats need different pumps in different arrangements. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BILGE PUMP FOR SAILINGīefore you start shopping for bilge pumps, get a sense of what you’ll need. This modular approach combines with the high quality of the components to provide a longer lifespan and allows you to keep spares for key components on hand to keep your pumps running. The Tsunami allows you to choose an external float switch and replace it when necessary, and the easily replaceable motor core allows you to replace a worn motor rather than replacing the entire pump. The lack of an internal float switch might seem like a disadvantage, but switches are often the first part of a pump to wear out, and if the switch is internal, a worn-out switch means replacing the pump.
A rugged polymer casing resists damage from the chemicals, fuel residues, and detergent residues so often present in bilge water, and there’s special attention paid to sealing shafts and wiring against water intrusion.Īttwood takes an unconventional approach to switching. This could cause battery drain and recurring noise issues, though in practice few users seem to notice!Īttwood Marine delivers a clear winner in the Tsunami, a rugged, simple machine that’s available in 3 sizes: 500, 800, or 1200 GPH. Rule’s electronic sensor system relies on a brief pulse of power to check for pressure on the impeller blades every 2.5 minutes. The LoPro is no exception, but as with any pump, its life will be shorter in a dirty, oily bilge, and it needs to be installed and wired carefully.
JETTISON BILGE PUMP FULL
Pair this with another unit mounted higher up and you’ll have full protection! Rule is a dominant name in the bilge pump market and is known for its high-quality products. Those features make the LoPro an ideal choice for initial pumping in any boat with narrow, inaccessible bilges. The Rule LoPro is designed with a low, flat profile that allows it to fit where other pumps won’t and a rotating discharge body that lets you adjust the hose position to fit the available space. Many sailboat bilges are low and narrow, and getting a conventional pump into a position where it has access to the lowest point in the bilge can be a real challenge.
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