Elephant trunks.....or bilge?

matata · 14 July 2015, 19:50

On my shopping list for this mythical perfect rib I have noticed some ribs have an elephant trunk at the back and some have a small bilge well with a pump in it. I like the simplicity of the elephant trunk, i.e. no electricity needed or wiring etc but what are the pros and cons for both? Suggestions on a post card to.....Nik

ShinyShoe · 14 July 2015, 20:49

Bilge pump works when stationary, most elephant trunks need boat underway.
Bilge pump drains battery.

John Kennett · 14 July 2015, 21:09

An elephants trunk will drain a boat much quicker than a bilge pump when you stuff it and fill it up to the top of the tubes.

RJH · 14 July 2015, 21:35

I'm not a boat owner right now but an experience a few years ago would make me always choose both! Playing in the HUGE wake of a tug I managed to stuff a 7.5m rib and filled it to the gunwales. Being now totally unwieldy and unmanageable (and frankly bricking it!) not to mention still "trapped" in the ship's wake I shouted to my crew mate to drop the elephant trunks. Even at a few knots this emptied the boat in very short order re-establishing full control and we were able to get back underway. A very sobering experience!

Pikey Dave · 14 July 2015, 22:07

Both is normal

boristhebold · 15 July 2015, 06:41

Definately having both is a good idea.

However depending upon the design of your deck and where the elephant trunks are placed has an effect on how effective they are. You would need to work out where the water would gather and hieght of trunks to deck and lower areas so could clear water as quick as possible.

The trunks that simply hang off the stern with the holes through the transom seem effective, there is another type which is fitted to some cobra's for example and other liesure/sport ribs that have the openings in the deck or through the rear seat and then run through a pipe to a valve and then out the stern dont seem as effective. I had this type fitted to my cobra and when I did get swomped once due to me messing about in large waves and stuffing it I found while they did help somewhat alot of water bi-passed the opening to these and simply went straight into the rear of the boat and into bilge spaces due to height of the openings through the rear seat. The bilge pump did help. Could only manage a few knots until most of water had run out or been pumped out.

jokaboat · 15 July 2015, 14:33

The best bailing system is a scared crew member with a bucket.

Poly · 15 July 2015, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokaboat

The best bailing system is a scared crew member with a bucket.

A good elephant trunk is faster than even a scared bucket holder!

diver 1 · 15 July 2015, 20:03

Mine has a small well at the stern with elephants trunk level with the base of the well. This system keeps the deck dry all the time and drains very well. Do need a bit of power to get speed up quickly if boat gets fully swamped. Faster you accelerate quicker it empties.

Brewdog · 15 July 2015, 20:47

No question, has to be both. Unless its a 'leisure' rib and your more into beach hoping with the family in which case a bilge and also a plastic bailer will work. I keep a 5lt plastic container, with one side cut out as you can bail alot easier with flat sided tub than a round bucket!