marybeth Posted August 31, 2019 Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 Hi Could anyone advise on bilge pump for my 50ft narrowboat. What is the best bilge pump and just general information about using them. Thanks Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted August 31, 2019 Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 15 minutes ago, marybeth said: Hi Could anyone advise on bilge pump for my 50ft narrowboat. What is the best bilge pump and just general information about using them. Thanks Mary The make Rule is as good as any other but it is unlikely to get the bilge totally dry. Many people set it up to automatically activate when the bilge fills above a certain point but as steel narrowboats do not leak much - even with a leaky cruiser stern - and automatic bilge pumps let on over winter are an ideal way to ruin batteries I prefer to just have a manual switch and visit the boat each month (5 hour round journey) because I can make sure other things are no wrong at the same time. My bilge has never overflowed the engine drip tray even after a period of heavy rain. Unless its an "all in one" through bilge the accommodation bilge is probably best dealt with by sponge because a significant amount of water in that indicates a plumbing leak or leaking windows/vents. Many others will disagree with my manual switch only point but if the bilge did for some reason get badly contaminated by fuel or oil at least it would not automatically be pumped into the canal/marina, giving je a chance to sort it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marybeth Posted August 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2019 Very helpful Tony. Thank you kindly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackrose Posted September 1, 2019 Report Share Posted September 1, 2019 Try this article. There's a lot on yachts, powerboats and sailing boats but the same principle applies. https://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEngo Posted September 1, 2019 Report Share Posted September 1, 2019 Ideally, you want the highest capacity pump you can afford and that will fit in the spaces available. Normally, it may only have to pump out a bit of rainwater or the stern tube drips, but if you ever get flooded by, say, a wrongly opened gate paddle or an overtopping gate you will be glad to have the extra capacity. You may even spring a serious leak one day. N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted September 1, 2019 Report Share Posted September 1, 2019 I seem to recall someone telling me thst the most effective bilge pump (especially if the boat is sinking) is a man with a bucket. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marybeth Posted September 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2019 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taslim Posted September 2, 2019 Report Share Posted September 2, 2019 On 01/09/2019 at 13:52, cuthound said: I seem to recall someone telling me thst the most effective bilge pump (especially if the boat is sinking) is a man with a bucket. ? A frightened man with a bucket is even better.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty69 Posted September 2, 2019 Report Share Posted September 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Taslim said: A frightened man with a bucket is even better.? A frightened man will likely have two buckets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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