Is this a sea craft?

[77SceptreOB]

So let's say you're 20 miles offshore and taking on enough water to keep both pumps running continuously and for whatever reason, it's taking forever to get back in and your batteries drain completely? Now what?

That's why motors have a thing called an alternator that charges the batter(ies) when their running.

[gofastsandman]

I cant do that any more because my stomach is too big.

strick

Good one Doc.

[BigLew]

When the pumps can't keep up, you are going for a swim, maybe your last one. Don't try to do anything to save the boat before you get everything you might need to wait for the coasties - Including the radio to let them know how big a bag of doo-doo you stepped in. Then try and save the boat.

See below! ie. buy BIG pumps!!!!

[Basspond]

Aside from the whole redundant bilge pump discussion, whenever you are fishing offshore, in the northeast especially where the water is cooler and you are running farther distances than our southern friends, it is a good idea to have a raft on the boat.

I used to fish my 20 SF 30-40 miles off on nice days here in NJ without a raft and didn't think much of it. Now as you get older and a little wiser I don't go offshore without a raft in the boat. I have my epirb/plb, raft, hand held vhf, and a lot of my friends are going with sat phones as well now due to the long distances we fish. You don't even need to buy one yourself, find a friend that has one that you can borrow, or just let them fish with you for free [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[gofastsandman]

When the pumps can't keep up, you are going for a swim, maybe your last one. Don't try to do anything to save the boat before you get everything you might need to wait for the coasties - Including the radio to let them know how big a bag of doo-doo you stepped in. Then try and save the boat.

See below! ie. buy BIG pumps!!!!

Hotwire your pumps. Be independant.

Cheers,
GFS

[Fr. Frank]

When the pumps can't keep up, you are going for a swim, maybe your last one. Don't try to do anything to save the boat before you get everything you might need to wait for the coasties - Including the radio to let them know how big a bag of doo-doo you stepped in. Then try and save the boat.

See below! ie. buy BIG pumps!!!!

If the possibility of sinking or capsizing arises, first have everyone put on a PFD. Then grab your survival equipment and supplies and have ready to send over the side. Only then should you stop to call for help.
I STRONGLY recommend a small cooler for your survival stuff. I use a 32 qt Igloo in bright red. It floats, and is relatively water-tight.

FTR, I have 3 bilge pumps, 2 aft and 1 forward. I have a 1500gph fore and aft in the boat, mounted about an inch above the bottom of the bilge. I have an electronic auto-only 500 gph mounted right at the bottom of the bilge aft. Normally, it's the only one that ever comes on, except when I'm backing down, or launching at one particularly steep ramp where the transom gets submerged.

I am not happy with my Rule 1500's. I have had to replace three over the past 4 years, and the bow pump I have now is 2 years old and not working. My replacement pump (not yet installed)is a Swedish-built Johnson 2200.

[76Red18]

I've had problems with the rules also. Also went with johnson. 2- 1500's with auto switches and manual override, each on their own battery. Also have a 750 auto in the built in floor "baitwell" to get rid of the water that runs off the deck when I have my splashboard drain plugs are in. Pretty good system to keep the bildge and deck dry.

[Trayder]

My weekend project after reading this:

1: re-wired both bilge pumps, new switches, wire, floats etc

2: I put in a high water alarm


so sorry for Mitch's loss but it was a wake up call to add some insurance items on the rig.

[KenB]

Quick question about the rule pumps burning up... is this something new? Or have they always had a failure rate? I thought you used to be able to show up at their factory with a burned up pump and get a replacement, no questions asked.

[Fr. Frank]

Quick question about the rule pumps burning up... is this something new? Or have they always had a failure rate? I thought you used to be able to show up at their factory with a burned up pump and get a replacement, no questions asked.

Those days are gone, my friend. Warranty is one year now.