Help - Bilge Pump Confusion

[LarryA]

The more I read the less I know what I should do. I have a 1990 14' V Hull with wood deck flooring (spaced boards like a house deck). I currently have the boat back where I bought it for repair of seveal very small leaks. I may have gotten paranoid here but I feel the need to istall a bilge pump. The problem I have is the more I read, the more screwed up I get as to what size I should buy. Everyplace I fish is 100 yards or less from at least one shoreline. I'd like to get something that should keep me above water long enough to at least beach on the shoreline should I get a that is more than a tiny one. I realize that the size of a hole determines the water flow into the boat. I just have no idea what I should do here. I only have one group 31 battery and that is for the trolling motor, sonar, and running lights (lights rarely used. trolling motor not used all that much).
Thanks for input,
Larry

 

[SlimeTime]

You know, I was wondering the other day if anyone has ever used one of those squeeze-pumps like for pumping kerosene out of a 5-gallon can as a bilge pump?? They make them battery-operated (D-cell) as well.

ST

 

[Jim]

My G3 bass boat came with a 500gph bilge, I think that would be more than plenty. Unless you crack a major hole in your hull you will be fine in my opinion.

 

[Waterwings]

Same as Jim, my previous rig, a Tracker PT175, came with a 500gph bilge pump. Just gotta keep moving towards the beach while the pump is doing it's thing :wink:

Here's a pic of the pump I installed in my current rig: Got it at Walmart, and it's rated at 500gph. Wanted a Mayfair brand but didn't want to wait for an online order to arrive. Each time before launching I hit the switch momentarily to make sure it's working :wink:

 

[LarryA]

Thanks for the replies. I've been thinking and I believe I'm going to spend the extra and get an automatic.
I'm thinking about either a Rule or Mayfair. Not sure yet but I'll probably go with the 500 or 750 GPH. Hopefully, I'll never need it anyway.
Do these pumps have to mount with screws straight down or do they have side mounting options. I can't seem to see a decent picture that shows me anything. I did see that some of the Mayfair mount straight dow (screws), others models appear to have side mounting locations. I cannot screw down without making a bracket. I have a brace tower at the transome that will allow me to screw in from the side though.
Thanks again,
Larry

 

[Greg]

I have the same Atwood pump that is pictured above. The mounting bracket it came with is L shaped and can be mounted either way. Looks like Waterwings has his side mounted.

 

[Popeye]

Here's a thought that runs off on a slightly different tangent. If ya got the right amount of flotation foam the boat ain't gonna sink anyhow. So you can get the size pump that fits your budget. 500GPM pumps aren't too expensive and won't run your battery down if you are only having to travel 100+/- yards to the beach. You might want to also consider a float switch (and a disconnect switch for when the boat is out of the water) if the entire bilge area is hidden by the decking.

 

[LarryA]

Here's a thought that runs off on a slightly different tangent. If ya got the right amount of flotation foam the boat ain't gonna sink anyhow. So you can get the size pump that fits your budget. 500GPM pumps aren't too expensive and won't run your battery down if you are only having to travel 100+/- yards to the beach. You might want to also consider a float switch (and a disconnect switch for when the boat is out of the water) if the entire bilge area is hidden by the decking.

Very good point! While thinking this in terms of taking on water, my mind kept thinking "sinking boat". Never even giving the floatation a thought. As long as the boat isn't overloaded it should not completely sink. All the floatation is present in the three seats. Point very well taken.