The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums : Bilge pump set-up help

The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums : Bilge pump set-up help https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:41:02 +0000 Sun, 15 Jan 2023 07:05:13 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.01 360 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=105838 <![CDATA[The Fishing Website : Discussion Forums]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : It appears "Big Dave"...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1831383&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1831383 Author: Pcj
Subject: 105838
Posted: 15 Jan 2023 at 7:05am

It appears "Big Dave" correct. Yesterday with he chop filling up outboard well and water flowing through cable hole filling up bilge. Heard pump kick in and run for sometime,upon investigation found ball stuck in one way valve due to crude,removed mechanism and water pumped out, So now thinking to install a on/off tap.

Just because of location of outlet being low want to stop water flowing in.Yes maybe a inconvenience butwhat else can one do??

]]> Sun, 15 Jan 2023 07:05:13 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1831383&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1831383 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : All this reminds me of the circles...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1829004&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1829004 Author: OneWayTraffic
Subject: 105838
Posted: 19 Sep 2022 at 10:20pm

All this reminds me of the circles I went in with my build. Seal up everything, fill with foam or leave holes for inspection, knowing water might get in?

In the end I went with enough foam to float the boat no matter what and limbers with inspection/ventilation holes. I have tucked all the inspection openings away from where most water will get in, and all the openings are in places where water would not usually sit.

If that boat was mine I'd reseal the bungs and be done with it. Remove bungs, look for any evidence of wet wood, dry well and reinstall and reseal. I'd epoxy the bung hole and screw holes as well.

If I had any doubts about water getting in unseen I'd cut out an inspection hole in the sole near the back, seal the edges with epoxy and put in an inspection port. This could be as simple as a clear perspex square screwed into place and sealed with marine gasket sealant. Removal may not ever be required, but you will have peace of mind.

I'd not muck around with pumps in that space.

]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2022 22:20:04 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1829004&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1829004 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : 1200 is probably the gallons per...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828973&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828973 Author: Big -Dave
Subject: 105838
Posted: 19 Sep 2022 at 6:02am

1200 is probably the gallons per hour rate.
So long as you have tested, no problem...]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2022 06:02:54 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828973&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828973 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : I would fill up the head above...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828964&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828964 Author: krow
Subject: 105838
Posted: 18 Sep 2022 at 7:17pm

I would fill up the head above the valve and retest. Note though the valve can "stick" a bit. I find all good for the day once started.

]]> Sun, 18 Sep 2022 19:17:03 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828964&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828964 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : https://www.burnsco.co.nz/boat...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828900&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828900 Author: Pcj
Subject: 105838
Posted: 17 Sep 2022 at 8:48am

https://www.burnsco.co.nz/boating/plumbing/fittings-valves/plumbing-valves/trudesign-non-return-valve

fitted 19mm and filled bilge and no issues. Yes I thought the same re head and pressure,can get them with a ball in them,had one in the yacht no issue,my rise is only about 500mm pump is good for 1200 head so it says

]]> Sat, 17 Sep 2022 08:48:18 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828900&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828900 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : I would only do this on an auto...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828896&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828896 Author: Big -Dave
Subject: 105838
Posted: 17 Sep 2022 at 7:26am

I would only do this on an auto pump, as if you get a bit of crud under the non return valve, it is rendered useless.and with a manually switched pump, you wouldn't notice your bilge filling up.
Also, it is a valid point that bilge pumps develop very little pressure, it might struggle to overcome a head of water above the valve when combined with the spring pressure.
What about a little rubber flap over the outlet?
Or could the bilge pump delivery pipe be routed higher than the outlet before dropping to the outlet, this would minimise any waterline induced back flow.
Any restriction in that pipe is a potential blockage, and will reduce pump performance.]]> Sat, 17 Sep 2022 07:26:02 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828896&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828896 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : same about 1/2 way, test by filling...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828894&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828894 Author: Pcj
Subject: 105838
Posted: 17 Sep 2022 at 1:35am

same about 1/2 way, test by filling up bilge and pumped out ok.only 1 metre from pump to outlet]]> Sat, 17 Sep 2022 01:35:30 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828894&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828894 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : I've done the same. Where...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828892&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828892 Author: krow
Subject: 105838
Posted: 16 Sep 2022 at 7:58pm

I've done the same. Where abouts on the pipework did you put the valve? I couldn't put mine close to the outlet so it's about 1/2m away. I found the water pressure on top of the valve combined with the spring the pump would sometimes struggle to overcome the pressure. I took the valve apart and reduced the spring pressure.

]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:58:36 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828892&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828892 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : On the subject of bilge pumps....]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828883&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828883 Author: Pcj
Subject: 105838
Posted: 16 Sep 2022 at 11:23am

On the subject of bilge pumps. I discovered yesterday(flat water) with extra weight in the boat,chilly bins and all the stuff nephew brings.I discovered that outlet in the transom kept dipping under so water was flowing back in and the auto pump kept coming on.

So today have installed a one way valve in the outlet pipe,why wouldnt there of been one before or do some find unnessacary or doesnt cross their mind.

Might explain a lot of how vessels take in water and owners dont realise where from?

]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2022 11:23:01 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1828883&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1828883 <![CDATA[Bilge pump set-up help : My post pointed out installing...]]> https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1511016&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1511016 Author: MikeAqua
Subject: 105838
Posted: 10 Dec 2014 at 3:57pm

My post pointed out installing a bilge under deck is easy. I didn't say it was appropriate for the OP's boat. However ...

Bilge pump capacity is minimal compared to chamber volume. A bilge pump admits air via the outlet hose after (and to an lesser extent during) pumping. Any vacuum will be minimal and transient. Water being so much denser than air, it would have to be quite a hole for more water to enter than air.

Depending on the vessel design it may be worse to have water on the deck than in the bilge. Water will slosh around on the deck. Water sloshing around above trapped air reduces buoyancy and stability. Hence my scepticism about underfloor buoyancy chambers.

Everyone's rig is different and you have to do your own risk assessment (how bad x how likely) to decide which safety compromises to choose.

How much water to capsize vs sink? What height is the deck relative to resting water level? Does the deck have a bilge sump? What is the beneath deck structure like? Is there a rigid underfloor fuel tank?

E.g. In my boat swamping and capsize is more likely than sinking, and bilge water is laterally constrained and removable. On that basis I unsealed the rear aft deck plate and installed silly-large bilge pumps.

Otto wrote:

If something (water) is being pumped out of a space then something needs to replace it.
Otherwise we'll have a vacuum.
Or in this case it will be sucking around the glands and the leak so more water in.

When a boat is flooded and becomes unstable and water is sloshing everywhere and into every space before perhaps overturning a marketed buoyancy chamber somehow appeals to me.

]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:57:42 +0000 https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=105838&PID=1511016&title=bilge-pump-setup-help#1511016