Second Bilge Pump

[Davekfl]

I am thinking of adding a second bilge pump in case the first one fails. Rather than drill another hole in the transon for the drain I was thinking of just using a Y fitting on the existing pump drain. I would mount the second pump higher in the bilge with built in float switch. This way the second would only turn on if the first fails and the water gets real high in the bilge. Has anyone done this and does anyone know where I can buy the Y fitting for the drain line. Would the Y fitting work for the two drain lines?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
DaveKfl - Sarasota Florida

[LittleCasino]

Dave, Here's an option.. I carry an extra bilge in the boat. I have attached battery clamps to it, and about 6' of clear tubing thats attached to the out. In the event my main bilge fails,(Like in a emergency) all I have to do is drop it down the hatch, and hook it up to a power source. I also use this for extracting water from bait tanks and storage areas that fill.

[Cincinnati]

I thought that the Rule pumps (1,100 GPH, etc.) could be switched out of the base and plugged in rather easily. So rather than install two, you could just have an extra on board.

The Y configuration you've described seems like it would partially work. The only problem may be that some of the water being pumped would back-flow into the other non-operating pump and then back into the bilge.

[k9reno]

when I had to replace my rule 1100 pump at the begining of this season the pump switched out easy , but the wiring did not have the pulg on it. I had to cut and splice and solder the existing plug on to the wiring. then I painted liquid elect. tape all over it. was easy enough, but with the plug already on it would have been easier.

[MolarBoater]

I went with LittleCasino's suggestion. Heck, I can barely touch the pump in a Bay 190, replacing it would be a difficult job as well as trying to installing a second one. Sure it is different with other models though.

[Fishahn]

good thing about these plastic boats is even if the bilge fails I believe they will still float. I remember reading someone's post about driving the boat for miles with the bilge area full of water after bilge pump failure. not sure why the area was full of water however, don't recall the details. my bilge pump rarely comes on unless I'm fishing in rough conditions and taking an occasional wave over the back, which I have experienced!

[MolarBoater]

Absolutely, been there and done that and the motor head never got wet. A label on a bottle of Soft Scrubs got wet and came off entering the bilge from the side fish/storage boxes and plugged the bilge. A simple back flush with a water hose on the dock cleared it but took forever getting there not being able to plane off. Seemed like the boat drained for 30 miles, haha(but quicker than the inner hull foam)
Lesson, absolutely nothing with paper in anything that drains to the bilge.

[Davekfl]

Fishahn
I am not sure I want to be the triumph owner to prove or disprove your theory that a triumph will float if the bilge is full of water. You brought up a good point though, Maybe the manufacturer should get a hull and mount a motor on it and then cut big holes in it. Like a Whaler. If it still floats, that can be a new commercial, If it sinks well, They can bury the project and dont tell anyone.
Davekfl

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

there are pictures somewhere of a triumph "whalerized" but i cant remember if it is at the factory or one of merritt marine's projects. i believe the cut away on display at the mackfest was a part of the demo ,but just cant remember exactly. anyhow, i hope dick at mm will see this and enlighten us on it
btw my '01 logic catalog has pictures of a 15' logic being released from a helicoptor at 400 feet only to hit the water and float without any damage at all. they are some kinda tough boats !!!
GGC

[suitekids]

I can't find the exact date or exact requirement but I will and I will post it when I do. It is something like this tho, All pleasure craft 20 ft and under, has to be completely flotation equipped, I.E. if the boat is swamped the boat will remain afloat.It's like the whaler effect, the boat floats and saves lives,This was a culmination mandated by the Gov. and boat manufacturers assoc.. Great concept and has saved thousands of lives. Provided the craft is not overloaded as per the sticker in the boat. But, at worst the bilge fails and fills the boat it is supposed to be able to mantain it's buoyancy to save lives.