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pdaigle
08-30-2010, 07:34 AM
I have a 23 ft. Regazza, my bilge is not working well, need a replacement; the Marina recommended I buy a 500 gph, does anyone have any input, I know its a minor part but I have never needed to buy one.

Is there any brand that is better than others or are they all good?

Pete

glenncal1
08-30-2010, 08:46 AM
Buy a Rule, I would go bigger than 500gph.

Tidbart
08-30-2010, 08:55 AM
Some good info. Read and learn.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm

BobinCovington
08-30-2010, 09:50 AM
A lot of folks are focused on motors or fiberglass and don't think much about bilge pumps. That attached article is pretty good and I would suggest you go through the whole system so that you know what you have works from switch to wiring, float switches, the right size hoses and pumps.
On one boat we had two pumps, one smaller and one larger with an alarm horn. After a winter of rebuilding engines and drives and working on the boat, We were heading out on our first trip. We had the boat set into the water on slings, started it up and headed out. About 10 minutes out, the horn started blaring and we thought what the...? Opened the engine hatch and looked in...water was pouring in around the drive/transom seal. Turns out they used the wrong bolts which didn't fully tighten the seal. Good news is the bilge pumps kept up with the waterfall coming into the engine compartment so we made it back and pulled it out of the water in time.
I guess the main thing is you never know when or how water will start coming in and most likely it will be without you being aware of it. So depending on the length of the boat, I would at least have one pump mounted low for typical bilge water and a more powerful one mounted a bit higher to keep up in case of large amounts of water. The manual/auto switch is a must and you might want to consider the horn idea for the big one...even if it's tied up at the dock and taking on water, personally I want everyone to hear it.
You are smart for thinking about it. Just think it through, talk to others, read about them and design something that makes sense.

maddad
08-30-2010, 10:15 AM
I used to have the float switch type, and then added a auto pump because the float switch would let to much water build up before pumping. When I put the new motor in, I got rid of the float switch and pump and put in a 1100gph auto pump that will work in the auto mode on the switch any time there is a battery in the boat, even if the batt. switch is off. The manuel setting only works if the batt. switch is on. I put it behind the pad in the bilge, closer to the plug and have never had a dryer bilge. I've even left it on for a week while the boat was on the trailer with no battery problems.

dsparis
08-30-2010, 10:45 AM
http://www.lovettmarine.com/pumps/index.asp great pumps

CAPTBEACH
08-30-2010, 10:56 AM
Small boats like Donzis with LOTS of weight aft due to motors and drives NEED larger Bilge pumps...IMHO 500 is way too small for a 23 much less a 16, 1000-1800GPH would be my first choice...I just finished a complete cap off restoration of a 1974 SeaCraft SC20...it got 2...the 500 it came with that was a couple of years old and a new 1200gph...a broken thru hull or sheared off valve can put a LOT of water into a boat in a hurry...

BobinCovington
08-30-2010, 12:10 PM
+1 :blub: " ...a broken thru hull or sheared off valve can put a LOT of water into a boat in a hurry..."

rchevelle71
08-30-2010, 02:10 PM
Small boats like Donzis with LOTS of weight aft due to motors and drives NEED larger Bilge pumps...IMHO 500 is way too small for a 23 much less a 16, 1000-1800GPH would be my first choice...I just finished a complete cap off restoration of a 1974 SeaCraft SC20...it got 2...the 500 it came with that was a couple of years old and a new 1200gph...a broken thru hull or sheared off valve can put a LOT of water into a boat in a hurry...

Same here, For the pantera I run a 500 on the float switch, and an 1100 on an OH Crap:eek:!!! Switch:eek:

gcarter
08-30-2010, 03:12 PM
I had a 1200 Rule in the Minx, and am planning on a 1500 on the TR.
My water intake is a transom pickup w/a shut off ball valve all in SST pipe. The drive is blocked off on the inside of the gimbal housing. I WON'T sink my boat from a hose failing.

Lovetts are good quality pumps, but I've had trouble on other boats w/the belts.
I don't like belts in a bilge pump.

pdaigle
08-30-2010, 03:27 PM
I will read the article tomorrow, and I love the horn idea. I just rode my boat for the second time this year last weekend since I had a new outdrive installed, too much money invested now, I also like the one higher, I will probably be asking more questions, but I have time to research before doing something. once again ty

BUIZILLA
08-30-2010, 03:48 PM
on my Cary, I had (2) 2000 pumps, 1 front and 1 rear, and another 2500 mounted 6" higher than those 2 in the center hole by the batteries, all Rules with auto switches... I wired the highest 2500 to the engine alarm/buzzer on the console with a red indicator light on the Rule switch... easy to do, no reason not to....

joseph m. hahnl
08-30-2010, 03:55 PM
I will read the article tomorrow, and I love the horn idea. I just rode my boat for the second time this year last weekend since I had a new outdrive installed, too much money invested now, I also like the one higher, I will probably be asking more questions, but I have time to research before doing something. once again ty


Rule Automatic :yes:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=34063&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10111&subdeptNum=10623&classNum=10624

CAPTBEACH
08-31-2010, 10:47 AM
http://www.stayafloatmarine.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=888wQhRcmjQ

On every boat I own...(3) especially up here in the winter when we are Striper fishing in 38 to 44 degree water...

Conquistador_del_mar
08-31-2010, 12:15 PM
http://www.stayafloatmarine.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=888wQhRcmjQ

On every boat I own...(3) especially up here in the winter when we are Striper fishing in 38 to 44 degree water...

Thanks for the tip. I will be getting some. Bill