Unpowered Auto Bilge Pump?

[anmut]

My buddy has a Seadoo GTX 230 PWC - as we were discussing the differences between his machine and my Yamaha boat, he pointed out something unique on his PWC - that is an automatic bilge pump that's unpowered. Uses the venturi principle to suck and pump water out of the bilge.

I wonder if something could be designed on our boats to use the pisser lines to create the same type of pump that would help keep the boat dry before water even reached the powered bilge (which we all know is set too high to pull minimal water out).

I'm not an engineer, but I did have a ton of coffee this morning.

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

The issue is that it doesn't run unless the engine runs. In a boat (aka bucket), rain comes by and it wouldn't empty. Hence the bilge pump.

Scarabs which use the exam same parts as Sea-Doo for this actually have the two holes there but they're unused and "blanked out".

I presume because it would cost a bit more for the extra parts and the electrical bilge would remain necessary.

 

[Beachbummer]

There's a drain plug with a float ball. So when you get on plane the water drains. It sucks, leaked on 4th use. Waste of $25.

Bilge pump is so important but without an alarm, you are still in trouble if it gets overwhelmed. You really want a bilge alarm so you know when it comes on AND if it's keeping up. I have 3 total. And my alarm has saved me more than once

I have too many bilge pumps said no one ever. And test from time to time

 

[anmut]

The issue is that it doesn't run unless the engine runs. In a boat (aka bucket), rain comes by and it wouldn't empty. Hence the bilge pump.

Scarabs which use the exam same parts as Sea-Doo for this actually have the two holes there but they're unused and "blanked out".

I presume because it would cost a bit more for the extra parts and the electrical bilge would remain necessary.

Well, that would be kind of the point. Adding an additional, non-powered bilge to the low point of the boat that just runs automatically as first line of defense. I certainly wouldn't advocate it as a replacement.

 

[anmut]

There's a drain plug with a float ball. So when you get on plane the water drains. It sucks, leaked on 4th use. Waste of $25.

Bilge pump is so important but without an alarm, you are still in trouble if it gets overwhelmed. You really want a bilge alarm so you know when it comes on AND if it's keeping up. I have 3 total. And my alarm has saved me more than once

I have too many bilge pumps said no one ever. And test from time to time

That I agree with. I have the built in one and two 12v Tsunami pumps for bags that can be turned into bilges for me or anyone else super quick.

 

[Beachbummer]

I recommend theT-800. I purchased the 1200 but their unusual hose size was more expensive than I would have liked. The t-800 can use 3/4 hose which is cheaper and more widely available. Since any water that you don't know where it comes from is concerning, I'm not a huge fan of the vacuum powered pump. But if you enter that space keep us posted on how it works.

 

[AZMark]

There's a drain plug with a float ball. So when you get on plane the water drains. It sucks, leaked on 4th use. Waste of $25.

That paragraph took an unexpected turn
Glad you posted that as I’ve looked at those things a bunch but hadn’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

[Cajun Bill]

The factory installed bilge pump on my 222 Sport seems to be installed too far forward, I suspect, because they're balancing the need to access and service it. (Clean the screen and release any water in freezing temps). But, it also seems on the small side. So, while I had the rear tray (which contains the manhole covers) unscrewed and open for another project, I installed a larger bilge pump about 6 inches or so from the transom. I was able to route the discharge hose around the stern on the starboard side and go out thru a new matching black 90 degree thru hull right next to the others. So, it looks to be factory installed.

 

[drewkaree]

The factory installed bilge pump on my 222 Sport seems to be installed too far forward, I suspect, because they're balancing the need to access and service it. (Clean the screen and release any water in freezing temps). But, it also seems on the small side. So, while I had the rear tray (which contains the manhole covers) unscrewed and open for another project, I installed a larger bilge pump about 6 inches or so from the transom. I was able to route the discharge hose around the stern on the starboard side and go out thru a new matching black 90 degree thru hull right next to the others. So, it looks to be factory installed.

Size is not the best indicator. You likely have a Rule 500gph pump, since you said it looks OEM. They redesigned the pump in 2019, precisely to make it smaller, to allow more mounting options, and it's more efficient than the old version that has an oval shape to it.

In using a 90 degree fitting, you also introduced a bottleneck (the elbow) to the discharge hose. It's not likely to matter in normal use, but you have a bilge pump for emergency purposes, and I have no idea if that'll cause problems at that point, but that'll be a terrible time to learn the answer.

If you now have 2 bilge pumps, I would think you're good, but reports are that new pump placement is about the same level as the engine bay pump location - the lowest level in these boats is just forward of the helm area