Strettonman 2 Report post #1 Posted October 11, 2019 I’ve just stripped out an old bath and fitting a shower. The old waste pump seemed to be a bulge pump in a chamber roughly the height of the bath. This seems a petty basic set up and looking online there seems to be diaphragm pumps with run dry capability. Are these the ‘modern’ solution ? also, some seem to be available for about £30 but the whale gulper 220 is more like £90. What is the difference and is it worth paying the extra ? any recommendations ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty69 3844 Report post #2 Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) Our gulper is 20 years old,full time liveaboard. Nuff said. Buy cheap buy twice (or more) Jeez, I'm beginning to sound like mrsmelly. Edited October 11, 2019 by rusty69 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sharpness 41 Report post #3 Posted October 11, 2019 No competition, Whale Gulper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike the Boilerman 5908 Report post #4 Posted October 11, 2019 Whale Gulper is the best money can buy and can be relied upon to do the job trouble free for years or decades. If you want cheap one, buy something else and take a chance. It may well pay off but probably won't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackrose 1175 Report post #5 Posted October 12, 2019 Apparently the operational design is actually based on the gulping behaviour of the humpback whale and they evolved millions of years ago so it's stood the test of time. Unless you believe in creationist theory of course in which case you need to get an education. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dreamer 77 Report post #6 Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, blackrose said: Unless you believe in creationist theory Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, that will one day go on to inspire the design of a premium brand of narrowboat shower pump.’ Edited October 12, 2019 by The Dreamer 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty69 3844 Report post #7 Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, blackrose said: Apparently the operational design is actually based on the gulping behaviour of the humpback whale and they evolved millions of years ago so it's stood the test of time. Unless you believe in creationist theory of course in which case you need to get an education. I was going to design one myself based on the sperm whales blowhole. My idea sucked. Edited October 12, 2019 by rusty69 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slim 166 Report post #8 Posted October 12, 2019 (edited) I have a Whale Gulper and on balance it's excellent. However, a couple of years ago at the bottom end of the Leicester arm of the GU it failed. Fortunately I was able to get a replacement at nearby Wilton Marina. Stripping the original pump down at home I found that the choker/joker ?? valve had lost it's flexibility and was no longer sealing. The only liquid it had ever handled was my shower water. I managed to get a replacement but only as part of a complete head overhaul kit. Out of curiosity I looked on a couple of offshore cruising forums and there the Gulper doesn't receive such universal praise. Edited October 12, 2019 by Slim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Bob 2144 Report post #9 Posted October 12, 2019 29 minutes ago, rusty69 said: I was going to design one myself based on the sperm whales blowhole. My idea sucked. I think Whales are playing Uraguay tomorrow? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jen-in-Wellies 868 Report post #10 Posted October 12, 2019 7 hours ago, blackrose said: Apparently the operational design is actually based on the gulping behaviour of the humpback whale and they evolved millions of years ago so it's stood the test of time. Unless you believe in creationist theory of course in which case you need to get an education. Humpback whales evolved. Whale Gulpers were intelligently designed! Marvellous things both, but don't try and fit a humpback whale in your shower room. You won't get in yourself and you'll have Greenpeace buzzing your boat in RIBs. Jen 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike the Boilerman 5908 Report post #11 Posted October 12, 2019 7 hours ago, blackrose said: Apparently the operational design is actually based on the gulping behaviour of the humpback whale and they evolved millions of years ago so it's stood the test of time. Unless you believe in creationist theory of course in which case you need to get an education. That seems to me like an urban myth, based on the company name. Whale as a company were in existence making hand-operated water pumps and taps for boats and caravans with no electricity decades before they designed and developed the 'Gulper' shower waste pump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strettonman 2 Report post #12 Posted October 12, 2019 Thanks all, just ordered the gulper. Not worth the risk to save £50. Thanks for the advice cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike the Boilerman 5908 Report post #13 Posted October 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, Strettonman said: Thanks all, just ordered the gulper. Not worth the risk to save £50. Thanks for the advice cheers Lets hope it doesn't pack up after three weeks after all the praise they got!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WotEver 2502 Report post #14 Posted October 12, 2019 Seeing as no-one else specifically addressed this question... 17 hours ago, Strettonman said: there seems to be diaphragm pumps with run dry capability. Are these the ‘modern’ solution ? Yes, the Whale Gulper will run dry for a while without melting itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
