What size bilge pump?

xecutech

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Apr 22, 2005
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Me again! I am going to put a new bilge pump im my boat... how do I determine what size to use?<br /><br />I have a 20' cuddy cabin boat with an inboard 4.3 litre engine.<br /><br />Is there a general rule of thumb? I figured the bigger the better, but still want it to fit in there with the motor! :D
 

Maximerc

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 26, 2003
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292
Re: What size bilge pump?

If I had a boat that large I would be inclined to put two medium size ones in. I was told the smaller the boat the bigger ya want your pump,50 gallons in a 12 foot boat is gonna cause more worry and problems than 50 gallons in your 20 footer. But In my mind two pumps set up at a slightly diffrent level would be most satifying
 

Maximerc

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Jun 26, 2003
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Re: What size bilge pump?

If I had a boat that large I would be inclined to put two medium size ones in. I was told the smaller the boat the bigger ya want your pump,50 gallons in a 12 foot boat is gonna cause more worry and problems than 50 gallons in your 20 footer. But In my mind two pumps set up at a slightly diffrent level would be most satifying
 

Bondo

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Re: What size bilge pump?

Is there a general rule of thumb? I figured the bigger the better, but still want it to fit in there with the motor!
Use the Biggest 1 that Fits..............<br /><br />I've got 2 independant pumps, about 1200/1500gpm each.......
 

MrBill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 4, 2002
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Re: What size bilge pump?

1200 to 1500 gallons per minute??? That would have saved the Titanic!! let's recalibrate...for a 20 ft cuddy, 1000 to 1250 gallons per HOUR is more than adequate...or you've got serious problems.
 

xecutech

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Apr 22, 2005
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Re: What size bilge pump?

Again, THANK YOU, you guys are a wealth of information. I think I will put 2 automatic 1200gph units.<br /><br />I am sure I will have more questions in the future, so until then...
 

who

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Apr 2, 2005
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Re: What size bilge pump?

how come you guys are getting so much water in 'yer boats? I have a 20' stingray cuddy cabin with a 3.0 Merc, and it stays nice and dry.... Been out 3 weekends in a row, and I dont have more than a 1/2 cup of water in there....
 

dajohnson53

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 28, 2004
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Re: What size bilge pump?

Originally posted by who:<br /> how come you guys are getting so much water in 'yer boats? I have a 20' stingray cuddy cabin with a 3.0 Merc, and it stays nice and dry.... Been out 3 weekends in a row, and I dont have more than a 1/2 cup of water in there....
So you don't need a bilge pump - just forget about it... :D
 

xecutech

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Apr 22, 2005
Messages
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Re: What size bilge pump?

I am getting some water in it, but only when running. If it sits, or even idles, it is fine. If I run it around the lake it gets about 2-3 gallons in the bilge area.<br />I am VERY concerned about it and will be trying to find out where it's from.<br />I get conflicting info from other boaters if this is ok or not, but seriously doubt that the manufacturer meant for it to do this.
 

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: What size bilge pump?

Should get no water in the hull at all. My boat had water in it one time when the I/O had a freez plug come out.<br /><br />Still the bilge pump is an inportant saftey iteam. The day you hit something and start taking on water or boating offshore and have a wave break on the back of the boat and fill 1/3 full of water.<br /><br />You could pump it out with a 500 gallon per hour pump if you have time but offshore the time you have may be the time until the next wave. <br /><br />I like two pumps one automatic and one manual but get one as big as you can aford and will fit. Or get a small one to go as deep in the bilge and as far back as possible and later get a Big one. 5 gallon bucket and lots of floation will also help.
 

Bondo

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Re: What size bilge pump?

I Know I don't Normally Need 3000gpm worth of Pumps.................<br /><br />But, As stated Above,..... I want to be prepared,...........If I Do............
 

Realgun

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Jul 31, 2003
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Re: What size bilge pump?

The real question is do you want the shark to eat you because you were cheap or because your cheap meat? :) Hope that helps. Actually the best bet is 2 pumps cause as you know IF 1 pump breaks, jams. or clogs you have a spare. As to size the bigger the better in this case as its a safety item of couse its gotta fit too.
 

cuzner

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2004
Messages
771
Re: What size bilge pump?

I,d be checking into where the water is coming from if it only happens when your moving. I had the same problem about 10 years ago. turned out to be a leaking bellows, found out the hard way how expensive that can be if you don't catch it right away.<br /><br /> Jim
 

keelhauled

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 5, 2003
Messages
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Re: What size bilge pump?

3000gpm??? must be one heck of a boat!<br /><br />This is the only type of 3000gpm pump that I have worked with:<br /><br />
recdel_r68_c4.gif
<br /><br /> :D :D :D :D :D <br /><br />Seriously, though. I ran a single 500gph pump for a while... until it clogged one day when I needed it most. Now I have dual 500's with automatic switches.
 

Bondo

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Re: What size bilge pump?

Yaaa,.......m,........h,......... You Know What I Mean....... :D
 

biloxiriver

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Aug 20, 2002
Messages
256
Re: What size bilge pump?

No matter how good, or new the boat is you should always have two good bilge pumps. Atleast one on a float switch all though I have both on float switches. The 1200 GPH units will be great.
 
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