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.

 

[Irish Rover]

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.

Thanks. I'm going to bin the outboard as well, and just use the oars.

 

[Minerva]

So, you intend to empty the tender when hanging on the Davits by using a bilge pump, but that solution is noisy and you want a simpler, failsafe, quieter solution ?

Well that sounds like far too hard a problem for the forum to solve. I think you’d need a Newtonian sized brain to plug that particular problem. I’d recommend munching on an apple when pondering; bung your ideas on a bit of paper then allow the poor solutions to drain away. Im sure you’ll end up with an elegant solution. Be sure to plug your findings back in here in due course.

 

[dunedin]

Thanks. I'm going to bin the outboard as well, and just use the oars.

Well that is your choice.
But personally I want the option of both oars and a small outboard. I, the kids and especially the grandkids love pottering in the dinghy under oars. Best way to explore the rock pools and byewaters silently, watching the seals, otters and even occasionally eagles. Or silently returning to the boat on a still evening. With also the option of our 3.5hp outboard for going longer distances or bringing supplies back to the boat.
Perhaps it is a saily boat vs motor boat thing, but also personally with a small c.3m dinghy I don’t want the extra clutter, weight and complexity of a console or wheel steering - let alone batteries and pumps.

Could also be a location thing. Few dinghy docks where I cruise, and tides mean need to be able to pull boat up and down a beach. Very glad to have a dinghy with all up weight under 100kg (boat, engine, oars, anchor and big inflatable wheels) when after a walk ashore on stunning Jura I needed to wheel the boat c.400m down the beach to get back afloat.

And yes, a drain bung is simple, silent and reliable

 

[Irish Rover]

But personally I want the option of both oars and a small outboard

I respect that. I would have hoped people would also respect my personal wish to have a bilge pump in addition to the drain plug.

 

[Irish Rover]

So, you intend to empty the tender when hanging on the Davits by using a bilge pump, but that solution is noisy and you want a simpler, failsafe, quieter solution ?

Well that sounds like far too hard a problem for the forum to solve. I think you’d need a Newtonian sized brain to plug that particular problem. I’d recommend munching on an apple when pondering; bung your ideas on a bit of paper then allow the poor solutions to drain away. Im sure you’ll end up with an elegant solution. Be sure to plug your findings back in here in due course.