What size bilge pump??

[davelopn]

I have a 20 1/2 ft rinker open bow vee hull boat with a 5.7L IO motor. What size bilge pump should I buy? Any preference in brands??

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What size bilge pump??

The biggest one you have room for. You can't go too big -- just too small.

 

[Zackman]

Re: What size bilge pump??

I agree with what Silvertip says but there are always constraints. You probably only have a 3/4" discharge line so unless you want to go with a larger or additional thru hull fittings, you are probably going to be limited. I think when I replaced mine an 800 gph was the largest I could find with a 3/4" fitting. I bought Rule and changed from an internal to and external float. If you trailer your boat, don’t get an “automatic” pump that comes on every few minutes to test the water level, since it will drain your battery.

 

[davelopn]

Re: What size bilge pump??

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[hankll]

Re: What size bilge pump??

When I asked my mechanic that question, he sagely said "Depends on how fast you want to sink", so as big a one as you can put in, would be the correct answer.....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size bilge pump??

i personally run to independent bilge pumps, one with the 3 wire, that has and automatic float switch, and manual switch. on one battery and thru hull fitting. i also run a manually switched on another battery, and separate thru hull fitting. i learned the hard way by having a pump go out. while in the Fl keys last year, over a foot of water in the boat from an afternoon storm.

 

[Acer2428]

Re: What size bilge pump??

My plan is to do the same thing after my most recent fiasco.

I have a 500 that will be hooked to a float switch with an on-off-auto switch and a 900 on just a manual switch.

The 500 b/c it will fit all the way back in the bilge, whereas the 900 will not.

 

[ddennis]

Re: What size bilge pump??

dang...never thought about pump failure...add a second bilge pump to my upgrade list now!

Thanks!