Having a working, well-maintained Bilge Pump is essential to maintaining your boat. Boat bilge pumps work hard to pump unwanted water out of your boat, preventing sinking or other potentially disastrous water damage. At Boat Lift Warehouse, we’ve put a list of tips together to help you learn more about the basics of using a bilge pump.
How does it work?
Bilge pumps work by being placed in the hold or lower levels of a vessel, they are then used to pump the unwanted water out of the lowest levels of the craft, known as the bilge. The bilge is formed by the joint of two sides of a boat. They are normally electrical water pumps that are wired into the ship’s main electrical system or to a marine battery. There are two main types of bilge pumps, centrifugal and diaphragm. Inside a centrifugal bilge pump, an impeller fan rotates as water enters through the middle. The impeller then forces the water into a channeled casing. The rotating blades of the fan increases the pressure inside the casing and forces the water to travel through the casing and then released through a pump discharge tube back into the waterway. With a diaphragm bilge pump, the pump resembles a wet-vac to suck out unwanted water. Water is pulled in through an intake valve, then pushed out through an output valve.
Choosing a Bilge Pump
Since boats come in many different sizes and are used for a variety of things, there are different types of bilge pumps to choose from. No matter the size of the boat, it is often best to have at least two pumps, one for backup, in case of unexpected failure. The American Bureau of Shipping recommends one 24-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump, or about 1,440 gph and one 12-gpm (720 gph) pump for boats under 65 feet. This can often vary depending on the size of the boat. Here is a more detailed guide based on boat length that is provided by Boat U.S. to help determine the best bilge pump for you.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Maintaining a bilge pump is fairly easy. Common problems with centrifugal pumps include clogging, failure of automatic float switches, and corroded electrical connections. In order to prevent these you should make sure all electrical outputs are waterproofed and clearing the strainer when you see signs of clogging. Keeping your bilge clean can prevent growth of bacteria, eliminate foul odors, and prevent rust and corrosion of other equipment, including the bilge pump, in the bilge area. You can purchase bilge cleaners to help with this process as well. Common repairs with diaphragm pumps often include opening the pump body and clearing out any debris. You should also check all valves to ensure none are torn or damaged.
