Bilge water mystery

[Christian Williams]

I had occasion to use the Whale with a full bilge after developing (it turned out) an airlocked Rule. It was far offshore, and although the bilge was empty in 20 or so pumps, I was astonished at how much work it was, and at the prospect of having to pump continuously in the event of disaster.

A crew could keep at it, in shifts. For a couple, or for a singlehander, tough duty.

The handle needs to be longer than mine, which is about 2 feet: nice for storage, otherwise a bear.

 

[K2MSmith]

I had occasion to use the Whale with a full bilge after developing (it turned out) an airlocked Rule. It was far offshore, and although the bilge was empty in 20 or so pumps, I was astonished at how much work it was, and at the prospect of having to pump continuously in the event of disaster.

A crew could keep at it, in shifts. For a couple, or for a singlehander, tough duty.

The handle needs to be longer than mine, which is about 2 feet: nice for storage, otherwise a bear.

I had thought about this scenario recently. after a little web surfing, found that you can buy household submersible pumps that use 12v:

https://www.amazon.com/Superior-Pump-91250-Submersible-Thermoplastic/dp/B07MJD6M51/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAi_D_BRApEiwASslbJwB0Ef_edFcVKgN0ZpMU2Fm3mOZHHnxd5rkuztpMkU-iGGHEmbbhcxoC6oEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=409938537540&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9060440&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=618900858380900861&hvtargid=kwd-11758424614&hydadcr=24633_11410104&keywords=12v%2Bsubmersible%2Bpump&qid=1610429851&sr=8-6&tag=googhydr-20&th=1

My wife also recently purchased a collapsible garden hose that stores in a small pot. I was thinking this, combined with the pump, could be a good backup system to get water out in a hurry while finding a more permanent solution.

PS. I have 110 VAC version of one of these pumps and it saved us from a lot of water damage at our house when we came home to find a burst supply line on a washing machine.

 

[1911tex]

Just received this in an email:

View this email in your browser

​

​ ​ A Dry Bilge is a clean, odorless bilge. Rule now offers the best, most effective method of removing almost all of the water in your bilge, leaving 1/8” or less, keeping your bilge fresh, clean, and dry. ​ The 360° rotation of this pump head gives this pump true installation flexibility. ​ Rule Dry Bilge Pump in action Features & Benefits • Drains the bilge almost dry  • Filter-free design • Self-priming to 9.5' (3 m) • Able to run dry without damaging the pump • Up to 4.0 GPM (15 LPM) flow  • Back flow prevention  • Connections for 3/4" (19 mm) hose barbs  • Rotating pump head and ports  • Compact and simple design  • 3/4" (19 mm), plastic, 90° thru-hull fitting included ​

 

[Tom Guild]

I had a similar issue and finally cured it by tightening the keel bolts. No need to drop the keel, but tightening the bolts seemed to seal things nicely.

 

[K2MSmith]

Just received this in an email:

​ ​ View this email in your browser

​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A Dry Bilge is a clean, odorless bilge. Rule now offers the best, most effective method of removing almost all of the water in your bilge, leaving 1/8” or less, keeping your bilge fresh, clean, and dry. ​ ​ ​ The 360° rotation of this pump head gives this pump true installation flexibility. ​ ​ Rule Dry Bilge Pump in action ​ Features & Benefits ​ • Drains the bilge almost dry  • Filter-free design • Self-priming to 9.5' (3 m) • Able to run dry without damaging the pump • Up to 4.0 GPM (15 LPM) flow  • Back flow prevention  • Connections for 3/4" (19 mm) hose barbs  • Rotating pump head and ports  • Compact and simple design  • 3/4" (19 mm), plastic, 90° thru-hull fitting included ​ ​

Looks like a good alternative to the submersible rule pumps . Even with no dips in the output hose , my rule 800 airlocks occasionally. The submersible/centrifugal pumps are not self priming , so if you let the output drain into the bilge , then manually dry it , the pump can airlock and fail to work . Unfortunately, I don’t have any room near my bilge to fit a jabsco diaphragm pump. It would have to be located back in the coffin under deck or engine compartment.

 

[Christian Williams]

Result of this discussion I happened upon this device, which claims to remove all residual bilge water. Don't know it would fit between our keel bolts, but it might.

How does it work? | Arid Bilge Systems

www.aridbilgesystems.com

 

[nquigley]

Just received this in an email:

It's pretty long though (~11"):

https://www.xylem.com/siteassets/brand/rule/resources/brochure/rule-dry-bilge.pdf

 

[Kenneth K]

Just received this in an email:

Rule's "Typical Application" diagram shows the pump remotely located out of the bilge as any diaphragm-type pump would be, so whether it pumps down to 1/8" or not depends on your strum-box or hose setup at the inlet. 240 gph is a pretty slow pump rate.

 

[1911tex]

Result of this discussion I happened upon this device, which claims to remove all residual bilge water. Don't know it would fit between our keel bolts, but it might.

How does it work? | Arid Bilge Systems

www.aridbilgesystems.com

the pump

I guess it boils down to vacuum vs. pump. During my weekly bilge FOD, I sometimes find "stuff" that may be easier to block a strong vacuum than a screened pump? The Arid video does not show a screen..Just thinking.....

Also the Rule dry bilge pump is $243 !

 

[racushman]

I accomplish this same dry bilge outcome with the same $50 fluid extractor I use for oil changes. It will pretty much remove every drop of water, whereas this Rule system still leaves 1/8". And it's not another system to install and maintain.

 

[K2MSmith]

As per Loren’s endorsement ..I bought a turkey baster from Amazon.. upon opening, my wife said “why don’t you take the old one to the boat . I need that new one with readable graduations” . So , I said ok but let me test them first . Both seem to work well with a shallow Pan of 1/8” or less of water . In fact I give a slight edge to the old one ....