Bilge pump confused

[dietz]

Bilge pump hums when activated. No water ever seen discharging. Lots of water when drain plug removed end of day. Last year had water pumping from bilge every time we went out.

Took off pump from blue strainer. No screen or filter , and no gunk or junk.

From the looks of it, water has to fill up to blue strainer (about level) with engine compartment floor for pump to grab it (rather than low in bilge).
...what am I missing? Confused.
Pics attached.
Thanks in advance

 

[HangOutdoors]

You are correct. You can have a decent amount of water in the bilge but it is still not high enough to activate the pump or be picked up by the pump. I was surprised when I tested mine the yesterday. I let the hose run in the engine compartment for a while and the pump came on. Once the pump stopped, I went and pulled the keel plug and a very decent amount still came out. If and when I get to installing a second pump, I will do it lower in the bilge probably.

 

[Julian]

There should be a metal grid strainer in that pump. Looks like a round metal cone of metal strainer material.

Guess a photo would help:

 

[Dave burke]

You are correct. You can have a decent amount of water in the bilge but it is still not high enough to activate the pump or be picked up by the pump. I was surprised when I tested mine the yesterday. I let the hose run in the engine compartment for a while and the pump came on. Once the pump stopped, I went and pulled the keel plug and a very decent amount still came out. If and when I get to installing a second pump, I will do it lower in the bilge probably.

Yup, that’s why I put my second pump under the swim platform right by the drain plug. You can have quite a bit of water in that area

 

[Julian]

I installed a second bilge pump on the angled section in the "true bilge", and leveled the boat (using the swim platform as my level point with a liquid level), and when I filled the bilge with water, the pump in the engine compartment kicked on before the one in the bilge.
I didn't see an easy way to mount a pump in the U where the keel is.

 

[the MfM]

The commercial solution:

Arid Bilge Systems | Central Vacuum Systems for Bilge Compartments

Arid Bilge is a central vacuum system that automatically and effortlessly maintains bilge compartments throughout the vessel 100% dusty dry. Call (954) 328-9705 today!

www.aridbilgesystems.com

And the diy version:

Build Your Own DIY Arid Bilge or Dry Bilge System

How To Build Your Own DIY Arid Bilge or Dry Bilge System

lifeempirically.com

Another diy inspired by the above one:

A dry bilge for $50

Water in the bilge, even small quantities, is a recipe for bad smells and generally unpleasant results. Every boat I've owned accumulated water somewhere that a traditional bilge pump couldn't entirely remove. I've long been aware of commercial kits designed to completely dry bilges, but the...

panbo.com

 

[dietz]

You are correct. You can have a decent amount of water in the bilge but it is still not high enough to activate the pump or be picked up by the pump. I was surprised when I tested mine the yesterday. I let the hose run in the engine compartment for a while and the pump came on. Once the pump stopped, I went and pulled the keel plug and a very decent amount still came out. If and when I get to installing a second pump, I will do it lower in the bilge probably.

Thanks. Any clue why there is a drain plug in the engine compartment if it is at the same level as the bilge pump? Seems like it would "drain" into the bildge which

I installed a second bilge pump on the angled section in the "true bilge", and leveled the boat (using the swim platform as my level point with a liquid level), and when I filled the bilge with water, the pump in the engine compartment kicked on before the one in the bilge.
I didn't see an easy way to mount a pump in the U where the keel is.

Thanks. Do you have any pictures of your install? Also anyone have a sketch of how the bilge looks (i.e. how far down from the pump does it go?). What's the easiest way to "look into the bilge" with least parts removal. Now I'm curious to understand more what's under there. Estimates of volume bilge holds BEFORE pump kicks in (from a water hose test)? Thanks in advance

 

[Julian]

Thanks. Do you have any pictures of your install? Also anyone have a sketch of how the bilge looks (i.e. how far down from the pump does it go?). What's the easiest way to "look into the bilge" with least parts removal. Now I'm curious to understand more what's under there. Estimates of volume bilge holds BEFORE pump kicks in (from a water hose test)? Thanks in advance

If you look at my signature (if you are on a phone you will need to turn it sideways to see people's signatures) you will see a 242X link at the very beginning, that link takes you here:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/my-2016-yamaha-242x-thread-more-photos-added-6-14-19.9464/

And at the bottom you will see a video of my bilge pump install. It also includes video of the bilge area.

 

[dietz]

If you look at my signature (if you are on a phone you will need to turn it sideways to see people's signatures) you will see a 242X link at the very beginning, that link takes you here:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/my-2016-yamaha-242x-thread-more-photos-added-6-14-19.9464/

And at the bottom you will see a video of my bilge pump install. It also includes video of the bilge area.

Thanks!