Destroyed Bilge Pumps

brucehawsker · 09 May 2005, 16:31

The (only) casualty of our trip to Brighton and back is that both bilge pumps broke loose from their bases (which were screwed to bottom of the bilge by the transom) and then, having broken free, proceeded to commit suicide spectacularly by crashing repeatedly onto the sides and floor of the bilge.

Can anyone advise me on which pumps will cope with the strains and stresses of ribbing?

Many thanks

Bruce

Louise · 09 May 2005, 16:34

Bruce we have a 'Rule' bilge pump which survived the trip back from Brighton! It's been on the boat for a while now (maybe from before we had Blue Ice - Richard will correct me if I'm wrong!) so has been through quite a bit!

Neal · 09 May 2005, 18:48

Bruce we too have a rule pump only small basic one but to date been fine. Dont know how much stick yours had on the way back, was it the pump or the fixing of it ?

pmorgan · 09 May 2005, 21:16

I had a similar problems with a bilge pump breaking loose at the weekend – I found the cause though – stupid girlfriend trod on it twice! Still can’t complain too much she did pay for the fuel!

benc · 09 May 2005, 21:42

My depth sensor (can't remember proper name for it) managed to come loose to on the way back, came over the back of the boat and landed inside thankfully.

I think it has only popped out... and dont think any damage has been done to it... I am going to be getting my boat lifted out this week sometime to find out

brucehawsker · 09 May 2005, 22:22

It was the pump itself... it broke around its base, where the grille is to stop leaves etc getting in... and the base is still tightly attached to the boat

Richard B · 09 May 2005, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmorgan

stupid girlfriend trod on it twice! Still can’t complain too much she did pay for the fuel!

Pete - please send girlfriend in post to me. Promise to return in perfect condition once her RIB fuel account is exhausted!

steedthrust · 10 May 2005, 07:34

Mine 'free floats'.

There is a stainless tube running from top of transom, into transom well. On the end of this a small rubber hose. This then holds the pump. There are no rigid fixings.

Will post a pic when I get in tonight.

Neal · 17 May 2005, 17:33

Opened this up again as the law of sod occurred this weekend to us and our pump broke off. To be fair I think one of the kids friends may have kicked it but having taken it apart on reflection the one we did have has a plastic base with two lugs and probably not going to last in our environment too long (no well, flat on the deck). I have picked up a different one on ebay last night to get us going but long term have you got good experience of pumps on RIBs

kitten · 17 May 2005, 23:09

We make our own pump mount for the race boat, which has lasted when all others have failed, pm and I'll send some details.

kitten · 18 May 2005, 09:24

After getting a few pm’s thought that I would just post this. Not actually thought of a price for them, but would have to be in the region of £20( pm if interested) or you could make your own.
First you take your pump and cut off the silly mounting lugs on the side and trim the filter to a nice flat top about ¾” deep. Next a sheet of prelayed glass about 6oz and big enough to bridge the vee of the hull leaving about 1” clearance for the filter, drill a hole in the centre to be a nice snug fit on the bottom of the pump pace the pump in the hole and glass around it. Trim and tidy stick the filter to the underside with sikaflex or similar and glue to the bottom of the boat. Stick yer pump in the hole and secure with a ss jubilee clip or bungee over the top.
You can still get the pump out to take the hair out of it and unclog the filter, but kick it and you’ll hurt your toe.

Neal · 18 May 2005, 17:41

Thanks Kitten