Wave actuated auto bilge pump

[Seajet]

I seem to remember the open keelboats of yesteryear had wave actuated bilge pumps; can anyone tell me please

A, how they worked,

B, are such things still avaiable ?


I know one could do it ( probably better ) with a solar panel, battery and a supersub pump, but it doesn't seem quite in the spirit of a classic if one can get a polished brass wave actuated job !

 

[sarabande]

Drainman

http://vimeo.com/7262817

but I have never seen one installed. (The voice alone would make me rush out and buy one ! )



Wave activated

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/2710...ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108


A bit of a holy grail for open boat owners, or those without selfdraining cockpits.

 

[old_salt]

Believe it or not there are two on ebay, but probably not quite the type you are looking for, too modern.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Water-WAV...cessories_SM&hash=item3f1de35db5#ht_671wt_722
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAINMAN-...cessories_SM&hash=item232c957079#ht_474wt_722

 

[old_salt]

There we go two minds with the same answer.

 

[sarabande]

that makes the answers twice as valuable

 

[pessimist]

We use a Drainman as a backuo to the electric pump on the RIB. Works well enough, but not exactly polished brass.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

"Wave actuated auto bilge pump" . . . so in a flat calm your yacht sinks?

 

[penfold]

"Wave actuated auto bilge pump" . . . so in a flat calm your yacht sinks?

If your voile is that perforated perhaps a battery operated pump and a solar panel is wiser? Wave-op pumps are really for dealing with rain water.

 

[duncanmack]

Hundreds of years ago (that's what it feels like) PBO had an article on a home-made wave powered pump.

Modified lift pump from an old car engine!
Remove return spring from lever, extend lever and put a small weight on the end. Mount pump flange horizontally with lever arm as a pendulum across boat and connect pipes appropriately.
As it's mainly rainwater (fresh) the springs on the non-return valves will not rust out too quickly.
Seemed to work satisfactorily.