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Thread: Bilge Pump

  1. #1
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    Bilge Pump

    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

  2. #2
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    Buy a Rule, I would go bigger than 500gph.

  3. #3
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    Some good info. Read and learn.

    http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm
    Member - WAFNC
    1997 22 Classic (sold)
    1997 Formula 271 Fastech
    502 Mag MPI

  4. #4
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    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.
    Bob

    Covington, Washington
    1966 Donzi 16' Hull #16-226



    here are some short videos...

    a little video clip of our boat idling over to the boat launch so you can hear it.
    http://www.youtube.com/v/GSx8zAmi3R0

    Eaton outdrive rotating 101
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auaFB...yer_detailpage

    thread on our boat
    http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61975


    Video of the boat on the trailer

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9qXz4CJS8U

  5. #5
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    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.
    Maddy's Daddy
    L.I.,N.Y.

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  7. #7
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    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...

  8. #8
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    +1 " ...a broken thru hull or sheared off valve can put a LOT of water into a boat in a hurry..."
    Bob

    Covington, Washington
    1966 Donzi 16' Hull #16-226



    here are some short videos...

    a little video clip of our boat idling over to the boat launch so you can hear it.
    http://www.youtube.com/v/GSx8zAmi3R0

    Eaton outdrive rotating 101
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auaFB...yer_detailpage

    thread on our boat
    http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61975


    Video of the boat on the trailer

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9qXz4CJS8U

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by CAPTBEACH View Post
    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!!! Switch

  10. #10
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    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.
    George Carter
    Central Florida
    gcarter763@aol.com
    http://kineticocentralfl.com/


    “If you have to argue your science by using fraud, your science is not valid"
    Professor Ian Plimer, Adilaide and Melbourne Universities

  11. #11
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    thank you

    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

  12. #12
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    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....
    Charter Member - WAFNC, SBBR, KWOSG
    1955 Perfect Mate
    1986 Hornet III, 502-415 TRS

    www.donzi.org


  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by pdaigle View Post
    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
    http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=10624
    machinist ,bore it deeper,ream it bigger, and lap it to a fine finish



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  14. #14
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    http://www.stayafloatmarine.com/

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

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

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by CAPTBEACH View Post
    http://www.stayafloatmarine.com/

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

    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

    1971 Donzi 18' 2+3
    1985 Eliminator 23' Daytona Offshore - Kevlar hull
    1988 23' Donzi CC F-23 with 250HP EFI Mercury OB
    1989 28' Team Warlock Offshore - single 548CID/600HP
    1990 23' Warlock Offshore - single 525HP
    Bill from Denison, TX - Lake Texoma

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