Recommend a small auto Bilge pump!

[Zagato]

I wanted to fit a small automatic bilge pump or one with a floating switch attached, to my Drascombe Coaster. Marine superstore sell such a variety of types and makes can anybody recommend one. It will be running from a 12v battery which I still need to sort charging from my Marina 4hp. On most occasions as long as the battery lasts 3 hours whilst operating the pump I can get into port. Thanks

 

[David2452]

I wanted to fit a small automatic bilge pump or one with a floating switch attached, to my Drascombe Coaster. Marine superstore sell such a variety of types and makes can anybody recommend one. It will be running from a 12v battery which I still need to sort charging from my Marina 4hp. On most occasions as long as the battery lasts 3 hours whilst operating the pump I can get into port. Thanks

The Whale Supersub auto is very small, low profile, I have fitted a few with results, one was on a wooden boat that had been out of the water for a while so was "taking up" for about three weeks and the pump was kicking in about every couple of hours and running for about ten minutes at a time, still working well.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The Whale Supersub auto is very small, low profile, I have fitted a few with results, one was on a wooden boat that had been out of the water for a while so was "taking up" for about three weeks and the pump was kicking in about every couple of hours and running for about ten minutes at a time, still working well.

I thought my Rule had given up this year and asked around. The general opinion I got was that the Supersub pump is good but the sensor/switch mechanism is not - my local chandler reckons they last three months, tops.

It turned out that the Rule wasn't pumping anything because the bilge was, quite unexpectedly, dry. Golly.

 

[David2452]

I thought my Rule had given up this year and asked around. The general opinion I got was that the Supersub pump is good but the sensor/switch mechanism is not - my local chandler reckons they last three months, tops.

Not had one fail yet, from memory I have installed more than 10

 

[JumbleDuck]

Not had one fail yet, from memory I have installed more than 10

Interesting. Perhaps it's something to do with conditions - the ones sold locally would mainly go into boats in the river Urr, so changing salinity, slightly acidic water and a lot of suspended solids.

 

[Zagato]

Thanks maybe one of each type!

Anyone else had experience of small bilge pumps?

 

[yachtorion]

Interesting. Perhaps it's something to do with conditions - the ones sold locally would mainly go into boats in the river Urr, so changing salinity, slightly acidic water and a lot of suspended solids.

I've got a vague memory that there was a dodgy batch that was recalled - remember seeing it when I researched them for installation on the last boat. If I find/remember anything more specific I'll post.

The one on my boat was spot on for the couple of years I had it the pump.

I have no qualms recommending the SuperSub Smart also based on my experience of it.

 

[rbmatthews]

I wanted to fit a small automatic bilge pump or one with a floating switch attached, to my Drascombe Coaster. Marine superstore sell such a variety of types and makes can anybody recommend one. It will be running from a 12v battery which I still need to sort charging from my Marina 4hp. On most occasions as long as the battery lasts 3 hours whilst operating the pump I can get into port. Thanks

We fitted a Rulemate 1100 gph with an internal solid-state "field-effect" switch. It is still going strong after 6 years, touch wood. At the start and end of each season, we give it a good flushing with freshwater by running it through several cycles. So far, so good. It uses around 3 amps when running, so should last the three hours continuous running you need if you have a reasonably-sized well-charged battery.

 

[abraxus]

I fitted an Atwood Sahara automatic bilge pump a few years ago, but it's rarely used so hard to comment on its reliability. I also have a Rule, with separate float switch, which does get used more often, and is working fine after more than 20 years.

 

[lw395]

I take it these boats don't have a self draining cockpit?
People with similar issues tend to do OK using Rule auto pumps.
A good cover which keeps 90% of the rain out helps.

But IME, electric bilge pumps in open boats should be regarded as something you cheerfully replace every year or two, if you are depending on it at all.

 

[GrahamM376]

I have no qualms recommending the SuperSub Smart also based on my experience of it.

+1
Ours still working fine after about 3 years.

 

[rbmatthews]

I take it these boats don't have a self draining cockpit?
People with similar issues tend to do OK using Rule auto pumps.
A good cover which keeps 90% of the rain out helps.

But IME, electric bilge pumps in open boats should be regarded as something you cheerfully replace every year or two, if you are depending on it at all.

In our case, the main water ingress is a steady splashing into and over the engine well and into the cockpit area if there is a strong swell directly from astern while moored in the harbour, which luckily doesn't happen very often. Each splash is negligible, but over a night it can add up, which is why we fitted the pump. We have had a dry cockpit ever since despite several swell 'episodes', so it seems to be doing its job.

Otherwise the boat is pretty watertight, and yes, the cockpit is non-draining.