Marine Electronics Reviews
Boat Bilge Pump, Right Size It

Our 25' Contender test boat came from the factory with a single bilge pump.

After much research we determined this single pump setup was inadequate for a boat of this size and use.

The Contender bilge is a single compartment and the original pump was properly located just forward of the transom.

Still, mostly offshore usage and through-hull fittings to service the boat's large in-deck bait tank indicated a need for more pumping capacity.

To remedy the inadequate pumping capacity we elected to replace the original bilge pump and add a second.

The additional pump provides a backup pump and increased capacity in the event of a single pump failure or emergency.

This reevaluation of our test boat led us to run a full review of bilge pumps currently on the market. First, we devised a test procedure, then we divided the pumps into groups based on their advertised capacity.

Test results let us pick the best pair of pumps for our Contender. We planned for a total installed pumping capacity in the 2000 to 3000 gallons per hour range. Adding a second pump required fitting another pump outlet, in addition to the one already installed.

We settled on the capacity figure based on the size of the seacocks installed in the boat. If one broke clean off and start flooding the pumps should be able to keep up long enough to find the hole and plug the leak.

A smaller main pump backed up by a larger secondary pump will minimize everyday electrical power usage yet get us to our desired combined GPH rating.

In a larger vessel with bulkheaded compartments, each separate area should have both a primary and backup pump installed.

Any retrofit or replacement pumps must be properly sized for both the vessel and the bilge compartment they will drain.

Power consumption, GPH rating, outlet pipe diameter, and physical pump size must all be taken into consideration when selecting a pump.