SELECTING A BILGE PUMP |
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Virtually all boats end up with unwanted water in the bilge, which must be removed. Water gets in from a propeller shaft packing gland, a leaky portlight, leaky seams in a wood boat, melting ice from the icebox and a multitude of other sources.
Leaving large amounts of water in the bilge can have several undesirable effects on your boat, including destabilizing it, lifting spilled fuel and distributing it throughout the bilge (where it can attack, among other things, the insulation on electrical wiring) and promoting the development of osmotic blisters in fiberglass hulls. And did we mention having the boat sink? Getting this water (we call it nuisance water) out of your boat is the primary function of a bilge pump.
What type of boat do you have?
Small Powerboats
Planing runabouts and ski boats use one submersible pump located aft. Small boats with large cockpits or low freeboard need bigger pumps.

Boat Length
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Pump Output - Liter Per Hour
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To 5.4 m
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1100 -1900
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5,5 m – 7 m
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1700 - 2650
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7 m – 8 m
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2600 - 4100
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Sailboats
Medium and large sailboats use multiple manual and automatic pumps.

Boat Length
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Pump Output - Liter Per Hour
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6,5 m – 8 m
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2300 - 3000
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8 m – 9 m
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3000 - 3800
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9 m – 10,5 m
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3800 - 6000
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10,5 m – 12,2 m
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6000 - 8300
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12,2 m – 14 m
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8300 - 15100
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Large Powerboats
Larger powerboats use one or more pumps. Each compartment that can hold water needs its own pump. Engine driven pump or second, larger electric pump recommended for emergency backup, especially for open water boating.

Boat Length
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Pump Output - Liter Per Hour
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8m – 9m
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3000 - 4000
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9m – 10,5m
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3800 - 6000
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10,5m – 12,2m
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6000 - 8300
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12,2m – 14m
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8300 - 15100
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Manual or electric power?
High-capacity centrifugal pumps are relatively inexpensive and the easiest pumps to install, but they are rendered ineffective if your boat’s electrical system fails, and this is a likely occurrence if your boat takes on a lot of water. For this reason we recommend that, in addition to any electric pumps, you have at least one high-capacity manual diaphragm pump. Manual pumps can move substantial amounts of water (up to 76 Liter per minute or so).
Dual bilge pump installation

13200 l/h (or larger) emergency pump located above sump, and connected to manual switch. 1500 l/h (or smaller) pump with integral float switch, connected directly to battery.
Products
AUTOMATIC FLOAT SWITCH- RULE, 20 A
Rule automatic switch. New versions "without mercury" to respect the environment. Detachable from the base for cleaning. Tested for over 1,000,000 cycles. Dimensions: 127 x 54 x 66 сm. Including fuse. 20 A.
16.601.20
BILGE PUMP- EUROPUMP II 2000, 12 V
Europump II 2000 GPH, Maximum capacity: 128 l/min, Power: 12 V, Pipe diameter: 29 mm, Dimensions: 120 x 150 mm.
16.122.14
Special Price: 49.99 €
(Normal Price: 55.76 €)
DIAPHRAGM HAND PUMP- OSCULATI, FIXED HANDLE
Hand diaphragm pump, made of anti-corrosion plastic, rubber and stainless steel. Pipe adapter 25 mm. Bulkhead model, fixed handle, Size: 180 x 125 x 75 mm, Capacity 0,33 litres per pumping (30 up to 60 pumping per minute).
15.262.20
AUTOMATIC FLOAT SWITCH- MARCO AS2, 10 A
Marco AS2 automatic float switch for any 12/24 V pumps. New version "without mercury" to respect the environment. 10 A, Water level OFF/ON: 25 / 55 mm,
Wire: 850 mm, Dimensions: 113 x 83 x 62 mm.
M15004130
Water resistant plug/socket kit, equipped with a special watertight collar and a “lock-in” system that locks the plug by turning. Designed for plug mounting with back screw nuts or two screw boards. Suitable for lighters and cellular phones.
14.517.00
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