I've been debating my bilge pump plan for a few months now, and having trouble deciding. What have others here decided is sufficient pump capacity?
I have two Rule 800s now and am considering upgrading one to an 1100 or 2000 gph, as a high water alarm. That will require upgrading the hose from 3/4" to 1 1/8", and enlarging the thruhull at the toerail. One of the bilge hoses runs through the stbd head (into the head cubbies) and the other runs through the hanging locker fwd of the head. Upgrading will require enlarging some of the hose holes in the boat's liner (below the cabin sole) probably, and of course hole sawing a larger thru hull. So it's a good deal more work than just replacing bilge pumps, their wiring, and adding a float switch + alarm. >From Wally's page I know he installed a Rule 2000. http://www.wbryant.com/StellaBoat/Projects/bilgepmp/bilgepmp.htm However it sounds like Wally's LF38 had his hoses run differently - to the stern quarter - while mine are to stbd mid-ships. With two 800's I'm at the low end of the 1600-2000 gph capacity range recommended by West Marine (and yes I've read all about how actual capacity may be much lower, due to voltage drop, head pressure, etc). I've also heard it doesn't make much sense to say that bigger boats need bigger bilge pumps - a 20' boat will sink just as fast (or faster) with a 1.5" hole as a 38' one will. I'm more concerned with having the capacity to prevent the boat from sinking at dock if say a 1.5" thruhull disintegrated somehow. Less concerned with emergency pumping while onboard, because I'm not going far offshore and I have a lot of emergency hole plugging options to try (putty, foam, wood bungs, carrots, etc). -Patrick 1984 C&C Landfall 38 Seattle, WA
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
