Manually operated bilge pump?

thataway · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

Actually the pump we had was larger than the Gusher 30 (apparently not made currently)--it was also a double action pump (chamber/two diaphragms) which put out one gallon a stroke back and forth stroke I can assure you that in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in 40+ foot seas and 70 knot winds, one can move one heck of a lot of water with manual pump!

416rigby · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

Our pump says Bosworth on the handle. It was throughbolted by the original owner. I don't know the rate of flow but it will empty a 5 gallon bucket pretty darn quick.

Rick

BrentB · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:34 pm Post subject:

throughbolted??

Completely through the hull correct?

416rigby · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

Yep...not the way I would have done it, but it was there when I bought the boat. I pulled it off, though, and made sure everything was well sealed.

ppriest · Guest

Check out this article for an alternative view on manual bilge pumps.

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/boatkeeper/bilge-pumps.pdf

Paul Priest
J.C.Lately
Sequim, WA

thataway · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:24 am Post subject:

If you really want to move water, get a trash pump with a honda engine--they come in 2 and 3" sizes (some smaller and some larger)--but they have to be primed. Many commerical fishing boats carry these and they are used as washdown pumps, as well as emergency bilge pumps.

The small boats we have are relitatively low freeboard and the loss of effeciency with the head pressure is not as important as with a boat which has a 6 foot freeboard.

In reality our boats rarely get a lot of water in them. Only one or two thru hulls at the most below the waterline, which are easily accessed and we should have wooden plugs for these in case of emergency.

Waves breaking over the stern or side--not happened to our 22 and I don't see it as a probelm with the 25 or TC 255. Spray? When there is lots of spray, we put the camper canvas up and that keeps the spray out. Deck wash down--yep--that is why we have the electric diaphragm pump--and it vacuums all of the water out. We carry the extra battery and large pump --have used it more for others boats than our own.