Auto Bilge pumps

ciaranp · 08 March 2008, 15:13

Whats the best auto bilge pump for a rib?

Tim M · 08 March 2008, 16:31

lol. If you ask me their all crap.

BruceB · 08 March 2008, 16:55

I bought a little manual Rule off ebay some years ago and just used to switch it on and off when needed, its not as if you can't see when there is water inside a Rib anyway!

ciaranp · 08 March 2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I bought a little manual Rule off ebay some years ago and just used to switch it on and off when needed, its not as if you can't see when there is water inside a Rib anyway!

there was an outo one in the rib when i bought it, but presently not working, maybe a fuse or something gone. Didn't have a chance yet to investigate further.
I think a manual one will do me also as an auto one will only drain my battery.

BruceB · 08 March 2008, 18:04

I have one of the kits made up on ebay complete with skin fitting and mounting bracket, you can get them with and without float switch.
The manual version I bought for the new hull was about £20 complete with the above fitttings.

ciaranp · 08 March 2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I have one of the kits made up on ebay complete with skin fitting and mounting bracket, you can get them with and without float switch.
The manual version I bought for the new hull was about £20 complete with the above fitttings.

well if mine doesn't work i'll have a look at these. What means have you for switching it on. A switch on the console?

A pump would be handy, on launching off the trailer and into the water last sunday was when i really realised one would be handy as i got some water in over the transom and had to spin up the harbour to let it out.

martini · 08 March 2008, 18:34

I think it's the float switches that pack up all the time. As said already, keep it manual and use it as you need it. No disadvantage unless you keep it in the water for prolonged periods.

BruceB · 08 March 2008, 19:02

I had mine switched through the switch panel on the console, switched on when needed and off when finished with.
I found it was a handy thing when diving as you could not always use the trunk when divers were kitting/dekitting in rough weather and the boat tended to fill up.
I can remember on more than one occassion having the boat completely full to the tops of the tubes before fitting it.

ciaranp · 08 March 2008, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I had mine switched through the switch panel on the console, switched on when needed and off when finished with.
I found it was a handy thing when diving as you could not always use the trunk when divers were kitting/dekitting in rough weather and the boat tended to fill up.
I can remember on more than one occassion having the boat completely full to the tops of the tubes before fitting it.

how did you get so much water in?
as i said last week launching it i got a bit in over the transom and then not being use to the boat and engine slowed down too quickly and got another gush in over the transom.

will be leaving mine tied on a mooring in an enclosed harbour an odd week or 2 not always so i'm wondering will the manual be enough, see if i fit an automatic will it drain my battery (have the one). there will always be someone around me or family member to see it from the pier every day so if just had manual they could turn it on any day or after it had made heavy rain.

BruceB · 08 March 2008, 20:56

When you have a 5m RIB with 4 hairy a**d divers with twin cylinders in a 1m swell, then its easy!
The Assault I had didn't have the highest transom and tubes in the world and stuffing it the odd time could also fill it to the brim depending on what sort of sea you were running into. The Assault isn't the driest boat in the world at the best of times
Mainly it was just sitting with heavy folk at the stern getting kitted up that did it though........
You will probably need a auto pump if leaving it moored, I only do that overnight in excellent and extremely rarely at that.

DGR · 13 March 2008, 19:22

Rule auto bilge pumps have been reliable in my experience. Mine are on 24/7 for 6 months of the year, but needed replacement after three years (kept on a mooring).

D...

ciaranp · 13 March 2008, 21:48

Anyone have this type? http://www.boatshop.com.au/prod20.htm
Any views?

9D280 · 14 March 2008, 13:41

If its sat in a harbour then is it the end of the world if it fills up? - The whole point of ribbs is that they can survive swampings and that kind of thing. As long as your battery and electrics are above the "max fill line" (the batt tray is positioned like that on mine) would a manual pump not work just as well? - When you get to the boat - switch it on!

Failing that a small solar panel might help keep the batt charged if you go for an automatic pump?

benc · 14 March 2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

If its sat in a harbour then is it the end of the world if it fills up?

I have remote oil tanks.. and if the boat fills up with water, than the sometimes they let a little in... I will have two auto bilges fitted this year, one on each battery! And then have a third battery incase they get flat

Trickdog · 14 March 2008, 15:31

Ciaranp

I have no experience of those Attwood Sahara pumps but they certainly look good. Low current draw too. The manufacturer must have faith in them as they have a 3 year warranty.

http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/Bilge...htm?P1407-S40-

jyasaki · 14 March 2008, 15:37

Found this while looking for a second pump:

http://www.powerboat-reports.com/sample/bilge.html

jky

codprawn · 14 March 2008, 16:39

What about this?

http://www.jrsupplies.com/bilge-pump-details.html

It is a bilge pump that uses wave motion to do the pumping - useless in a calm marina but would work very well for boats on mooring etc!!!

Pete7 · 14 March 2008, 19:58

Or just buy a proper fitting boat cover

However 9D280 makes a good point. Assuming it's rain water causing the problem it might be worth leaving the elephants trunk down for a few hours, let the sea water in and see were it settles. If this level is acceptable then any futher rain water isn't going to make any difference as it just runs out. Where as if the trunk is up then the rainwater will build up and up.

Pete

jwalker · 14 March 2008, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

.... it might be worth leaving the elephants trunk down for a few hours, let the sea water in and see were it settles.

It'll settle at exactly the same level as the seawater the boat is floating in!

Pete7 · 14 March 2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

It'll settle at exactly the same level as the seawater the boat is floating in!

Exactly, were as if the trunk is up then its really going to flood down