Ideal Dual-Bilge set up for 20' Seafari

[Max_Florida]

After reading through the recent post about the Seacraft sinking, I decided that I needed to rig a dual-bilge pump system in my boat(which I should, hopefully, be getting this weekend).

It seems that the consensus was two bilge pumps, wired to separate power sources at the battery switch and set at different heights, with one as a back-up. Also having each bilge pump the water out it's own side of the boat, so that you would have a visual warning if your primary failed.
In addition to two bilge pumps it was also recommended to rig a high water alarm.

After a lot of searching on the internet it seems that the Johnson pumps are the next best thing after Rules(which according to the Martha's Vineyard thread are now Made in China garbage).

I also found these came highly recommended on another site: http://www.wemausa.com/switches/

Right now I'm thinking on going with two Johnson 2200GPH pumps, and getting the rest of the hardware from that site.

What do you guys think?

[Wildman]

Something like this came up a little while ago on THT. GO without using a float switch if you can. The highwater alarm is what see on big commercial boats and thats what will be in my boat.

Just an FYI: I put Johnson over Rule any day. I run 2 of their 'big' pumps.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...ter-alarm.html

[Max_Florida]

An electronic switch? Water Witch seems to be the best one.

I found this thread on another forum regarding bilge pumps: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-switch-2.html

the first post at the top of the page has what seems like good advice. He recommends using an electronic switch and running it to an automotive relay to prevent a short circuit.

Another article I read suggested using a smaller pump as the primary, and then mounting a larger pump higher, to handle emergencies. I was thinking about also wiring in a buzzer to this larger pump.

[Caymanboy]

I run two switches and pumps. Not sure where the info on Rule is coming (I think they moved to Mexico) but from what I have seen, it doesn't matter what pump you put in, they all go bad at some point and Rule seems to hang in there with the rest, most of the time, space dictates what goes in.
What I do care about is the switches, I use Ultra Safety System switches, they come in 3 different configs, one config has a built in high water alarm, the swicthes are expensive, but they last, and the last thing I want to do is root around some bilge every year.
I also run two different size pumps, mount same height, the smaller one handles the everyday load, then the bigger one kicks in if need be, you replace the smaller one more often and is cheaper. Just make sure the smaller pump is 1100gph and has an 1 1/8 discharge. Besides, if all goes to hell in a hand basket, there is not much difference between 3000 gph or 4000. You take on that much water, you're going down anyway.
Wire each pump (seperatly) on the auto side directly to each battery on the switch (with a fuse), and the maunal side to switches on the dash.
I am not fond of anything automotive on boats, and auto reset relays or push breakers are worse, there is no way of shutting things down if they short circuit other than disconnecting them.

[Caymanboy]

One other note.
Why mount one pump higher? If you have that much water that the lower pump can't handle, and you need the second pump, when (if) the first (lower) pump fails, then you have that much extra water to deal with. If you want that scenerio, then you need three (3) pumps, which means you need a bigger boat. Just my 2c.

[dbiscayne]

one pump higher than the other applies to auto pumps, if they were both std./manual pumps then both in the same area with float switches at different heights in the bilge so you're only using the smaller pump to get the little bit of water out if you happen to have a wet bilge - save your battery.

[DonV]

The reason mine are a differnt heights is the main pump, 1500gph with standard float switch, is just off the bottom of the hull and the float swith is mounted on an angled block to keep it parallel to the water line, plus both are as low in the hull as possible. The second pump is an 1100 gph automatic pump which is again mounted on an angled block to keep the pump parallel to the water. Due to room issues it's about 1" to 1.5" higher. So bottom line....if both pumps are pumping out water for an extended time I'm in deep poop.

[Caymanboy]

Let me clarify. By higher, I meant 6" or a ft apart or so. 1 1/2" won't make a difference with weight, but on large vessels such as ours, space is everything!!

[DonV]

I agree......6" means you probably have WAY too much water already in the bilge when the second pump kicks on. Plus when it does kick on it's only going to pump down to the original six inches of water left in the bilge. Oh yeah, in my opinion never use the cheap plastic ribbed flex hose. This is where you pay the extra for the reinforced good smooth stuff!!!

[gofastsandman]

I agree......6" means you probably have WAY too much water already in the bilge when the second pump kicks on. Plus when it does kick on it's only going to pump down to the original six inches of water left in the bilge. Oh yeah, in my opinion never use the cheap plastic ribbed flex hose. This is where you pay the extra for the reinforced good smooth stuff!!!

Good discussion here.

I cut out my in deck well and can sit in my bilge. {insert slam here}

When I put new bronze thru hulls in the transom, I was going to fill the two 1 1/8" deals for the well. Then I thought they might save my bacon one day if I still had power. I have them plugged in and out.

I also keep forgetting to pick up some nerf balls and Gorilla tape. Nerf balls can make all kinds plug sizes if things go south.

I did pick up a PLB this summah. Hope it gets good and dusty before I have to get a new battery.

Cheers,
GFS