Seacraft sinks off Martha's Vineyard

[Tashmoo2]

Rule Automatic bilge Pumps

Very interesting read. I thought I was the only person having problems with Rule.

I have had nothing but problems with Rule automatic pumps with built in float switch. Pumps start but sometimes do not shut off.

They are made in China now which might explain a lot.

[Bigshrimpin]

Make sure you have a fuse or breaker on the rule pumps. . . my auto rule 1100 ate some bilge grass and melted as described above . . . I'm assuming that if I had a small fuse/breaker in place it would have saved the pump. The pump is a PIA to get to on an 18.

[eggsuckindog]

A goofy idea I had was to put a pyhi in the deck in front of the console and maybe shoot some type of expanding foam in there

make any sense ????

[CaptMick]

Rule pumps with the internal float switch are the worst. Also Rule #41 switch the most cost effective they offer is the worst. Absolute trash. If you by one of either by 20 of them. You will go through them in a year.

The last Rule 750 GPH on my shelf says made in Mexico.

TO Bigshrimpin- Fuse don't matter. I have seen may that run and run and run under the conditions you describe (woman's hair in there) and won't shut off. Even with the Manufacturer suggested fuse (15amp?) and melt them or burn them up so they don't work.

Sorry these now suck. Sorry you lost your boat. Glad you and your crew are safe.

[eggsuckindog]

I had a digital switch that wouldn't shut off, must have moved it 5 times higher and lower - it burn't a couple up. I went back to old flipper and its fine - my 1100 bait pump must be 5 yrs old and run overnight quite a bite. Knock on wood

[76Red18]

1100 baitwell "old cartridge style" are great. New style sucks; bulky and the bearing/bushings go pretty quick and get noisey.

[KenB]

Seems like there could be a huge market opportunity for someone willing to build a high quality bilge pump.

I was thinking it might be a good idea to insert an alert for either:
1) extended continuous running... this means you have a leak. While the bilges may be dry, if the pump runs for 2 hours non-stop, you might want to know about this.
2) total length of running. If you get over 500 total hours, probably time to replace the pump.

In terms of pricing, what would folks be willing to pay for piece of mind? I would be willing to shell out $500 for 5 years of 2 pumps working continuously. In other words, I pay $500 up front, and send back as many pumps as hit the 500 hour total, or that completely fail. Plus, if new pump designs come out, I want those too. (like how shimano sends me new reels if I send the same reel in for repairs enough times).

Compare this to how much people shell out on tackle, gas, electronics... though nothing on that list will sink a boat.

I might even be willing to shell out a few more bucks to have a high water alarm added, and to have a cell phone stuck in that module. (check out isabella products). That way if my boat is out on the mooring and a leak/snow/frozen bilge pump happens, I get a text message from my boat. I think you can add additional lines to a family plan pretty cheaply.