Bilge Pumps

[Queequeg QuintParticipant @queequegquint38270]

Is it a good idea to install a bilge pump into our boats? On the one hand, it seems like a good safety feature. On the other hand, I’ve heard that professionals don’t use them and they just focus on making sure water does not get into the boat.

[Len Morris 2Participant @lenmorris2]

The short and simple answer is no (and I’m definitely not a professional).

Some water will always get into the hull after a days boating, up the prop shaft, linkage outlets, open decks etc.  It’s easily dried out at home.  If it’s serious enough to need a bilge pump then I’d look hard at the boats design or consider model submarines.

Len. 🙂

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I have to agree with Len, a bilge pump should only be necessary in very exceptional circumstances. The whole principle of a boat is that the water stays on the outside!

Colin

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

One of my pet quotes all my life has been: “Don’t deal with the effect, deal with the cause”.  This is a perfect example.  The problem with adding a bilge pump is that you will slide into a state of mind that then accepts leakages as normal and acceptable, then one day the bilge pump fails.

I work on the principle that water in the hull indicates an issue that needs identifying and rectifying.

[Richard Simpson]

On Richard Simpson Said:

One of my pet quotes all my life has been: “Don’t deal with the effect, deal with the cause”.  This is a perfect example.  The problem with adding a bilge pump is that you will slide into a state of mind that then accepts leakages as normal and acceptable, then one day the bilge pump fails.

I work on the principle that water in the hull indicates an issue that needs identifying and rectifying.

This reminds me of an an argument I used to have with my boss with I was a pattern-maker in a GRP production factory.  He would tolerate damage to a mould that required re-finishing on every product. To be fair, a small scratch in a mould translates to a fine ridge in the moulding which is quite easily rubbed and polished out but a lot of scratches is a lot of polishing and wates time and money.  The other problem is that polishing leaves a different surface texture to the contact moulded surface and this can show up in varying light conditions.

The laminators had the phrase “Mould is King”.   Because the plug is a male feature and the mould is a female feature they also had a nickname which is quite unrepeatable here!

Tim R

[Author]

Posts