Bilge pump for tender recommendation

[Irish Rover]

I posted a thread previously about the most stupid design bilge pump fitted to my Highfield 320 with console.
SEAFLO 13B SERIES 600/800GPH Electronic Sensing Automatic Bilge Pump –New Design-SEAFLO
When the tender is out of use and hanging on the davitt this bloody thing runs every 2 minutes, sounds like a sick cow, and runs down the battery. I'm planning to replace it but a seperate float switch type is not really suitable because I often store other stuff and ropes in that area that could interfere with a conventional float switch. So I'm looking for recommendations for a smallish pump with an integrated float or sensor. Thanks.

 

[Minerva]

Can you not just put a switch on the power feed and turn it off when not needed?

 

[NormanS]

A lot of boats in davits just open the drain plug.

 

[penberth3]

I need to get up to date. I thought this was a tender bilge pump...

 

[dunedin]

A lot of boats in davits just open the drain plug.

Yes, that was my thought - and what we do.
A 320 isn’t materially bigger than our 270 tender.
We do lower the stern slightly when leaving the boat to aid draining.

 

[rogerthebodger]

A lot of boats in davits just open the drain plug.

That's how I keep my dingy dry when in the davits and I ue a

Drainman when my dingy is moored against my boat in the water

Mooring operated bilge pump

Innovation in bilge pumps

 

[paulbrown22]

I tend to fit the Whale Supersub Smart 650 pumps on all our club RIB's and motor boats as they are very low profile, have an integrated sensor, and seem to work and last pretty well. The one on my own personal boat has been on there for 11 years, and the sensor only broke earlier this year (manual operation was still fine though, I just couldn't leave it in auto as it kept going off with no water in the well, so I replaced with exactly the same model).

A brand new XS RIB we bought in 2023 I spec'd a Rule Mate 1500 pump on it as that was the option offered, and that lasted ~12 months before the sensor failed and I had to replace.

 

[Irish Rover]

Can you not just put a switch on the power feed and turn it off when not needed?

I certainly could, and living where I do, I know its not going to be needed for a good part of the year. But if I go away for a few weeks in the winter months I have to leave it on and let it run every 2 minutes or so. I also have to mess around with the wiring and fit a switch where it wasn't intended to be - something else to go wrong.

A lot of boats in davits just open the drain plug.

Yes, I could do that also, but why would I be faffing around when I can just fit a sensible automatic bilge pump.

 

[Irish Rover]

I need to get up to date. I thought this was a tender bilge pump...

View attachment 204194

Do you live in your tender

 

[dunedin]

….

Yes, I could do that also, but why would I be faffing around when I can just fit a sensible automatic bilge pump.

Alternatively ……… why faff around with batteries and electric pumps when you can just open the drain plug and tilt the dinghy. Job done in seconds, nothing to break down and works even for occasional Scottish rain.