BILGE PUMPS

[drynoc]

Sorry to go over some old ground, but I would be interested in hearing whether or not the various members have automatic bilge pumps in their boats. I have a Santana 35, 1980 model, that I just bought, and it has never had one. That seems to suggest that one is not necessary (the actual bilges are no deeper than your fist) but having an automatic bilge pump seems like good counsel. I have this recurring nightmare of walking down the pier with five friends in tow and being able to board the boat at the spreaders. What''s the general consensus?

[Sailmc]

You don''t need one until you NEED one.

[hamiam]

no question in my mind that i would have one. i guess its a little false security, however, as if you really sprung a leak its likely that the pump would not be able to keep up with it and/or the battery would wear out.

[GordMay]

If your bilge is too shallow to accommodate a conventional submersible impeller type (centrifugal) bilge pump, you can install a self-priming diaphragm pump. The diaphragm pump is conveniently mounted out of the bilge, with only the pick-up (inlet) hose & strainer in the bilge. Alternatively, you could install a manual pump in the cockpit (pick-up is also in the bilge).
Regards,
Gord

[drynoc]

Thanks to those who responded.

I have a manual pump, and it seems to work well. I was concerned about an automatic pump for those times when the bilges might need dealing with while I''m away. The one point seems to be the operative one to me: a truly serious leak which might hazard the vessel while you''re away would outlast the battery anyway.

[GordMay]

drynoc:
You''re right - most automatic bilge pumps are merely convenience items.
A Bilge Alarm (High Water), could, however, alert you or a neighbour (or dock hand) to rising water.
Regards,

[gaurre3]

common guys, automatic bilge pumps (w/ float switch) are not a luxury. they are manditory. In an emergency you need an automatic bilge pump, so that you could work on fixing the leak (problem). and if you are away from the boat, it could deal with a slow leak for a while until you come back and could recognize the problem.

[capttb]

My 16'' runabout even has an auto bilge pump, they say there are 2 kinds of trailerboaters, those that have launched without the transom plug in and those that lie about it. From personal experience I can attest to being amazed at how well most pumps keep up with a large leak.
On my sailboat, pump is wired direct to batteries (so it is always live regardless of battery switch position) shorepower keeps battery charger on so 2 batteries + charger should keep pump running for considerable time. (theoretically,Forever if batt. charger exceeds draw from pump). Most sailboats also have manual back-up pumps today.