Manual bilge pump

[pcatterall]

Following my post about bilge alarms and following my flooding problem I had to use the manual pump.
I do test this from time to time ( just in case) I realise now that I should have tested it 'in anger'
I operate the pump by the wheel house door so I can in theory just shove one end down into the bilges and the other end out of the door. I found that the hose was too long and very stiff and that it was hard work holding the pump down with one hand while pumping with the other.
Lesson learned is that I need to select a place where I can rapidly mount the pump properly and get the hoses to the optimum lengths so that I can pump efficiently ( While firing the flares with the other hand!!)
Any other tips

 

[lw395]

Obviously for most boats or at least modern yachts, actually using the bilge pump is a last resort. Most effort should go into avoiding the need.
However I think the racing requirement of one operable from down below, plus one operable on deck is very sound. The outside one should be usable while steering in heavy weather.
Electric pumps are great for some applications, like leaky wooden boats, boats that fill with rain etc.
Take any reasonable measures to avoid pumping dirty/oily bilge water.
All should be installed permanently, with suitable strum boxes or similar on the inlet to avoid clogging.
A selection of 1 and 2 gallon buckets is also essential!

 

[Seagreen]

Having a very old wooden boat, pumping is a daily standard procedure. Remember, wooden boats are designed to leak a bit or they don't stay watertight.

I've two, three including an electric pump with a float switch.
The main pump should be solidly mounted to be easily used from the cockpit or wheelhouse. properly sealed seacocked exits and inflow, with a good strumbox. And get the biggest pump you can fit in the space. Remember, its an emergency lifesaving (well, boatsaving) device. Its also a good idea to get a spur pipe off the engine seawater intake with a diverter valve so you can use engine cooling pump to suck water out of the boat if the smelly stuff hits the fan. Engine pumping can be very efficient and never gets knackered...

 

[moody1]

Don't forget also that the toilet is a very good pump as well. A suitable cork or rubber bung fitted round a suction pipe that can be pushed into the bowl and seal is way to get bilges into it.
The portable pump as you found is awkward to use and we have since identified best positions for fixing ours. One sucks from under engine, one from shaft tunnel and electric from under cabin sole.