f-32 bilge pumps

[g36]

i've read here where some had multiple pumps installed. i have 2 on my boat. one forward and one aft, that were there when i purchased it i have verified they are working although they may not be the best brands. i have wondered about changing them and adding additional ones also. i was curious if there were certain brands/models/ sizes that others recommend. and what do you think are the most reliable float switches, do you have them spread out or are they clustered in the aft by the transom and forward by the v berth? also wondering if any of you also have a manual bilge pump (installed)mounted somewhere just in case? the first thing i did was change all the seacocks, the ones that were there would not close and the previous owner didnt seem to care but me... i drive my wife crazy but i will hardly leave the boat unattended without closing them but as some of the previous posts with the boats underwater you never know. any thoughts? thanks

[duchess]

if you still have the original lovett in the rear get rid of it and install a new 1200 gph pump with a float switch do the same up front the 32 s came with a manual pump that was in the forward locker i used it to get rid of the standing water from the ac units that would collect there, stop driving your wife crazy the boat will be fine with the valves left open as long as they were installed properly and have good double clamps on them. an unhappy crazed wife will cause more problems than a clogged head hose

[g36]

yes the lovett pump is still installed aft. the forward one under the step just in side the v berth. is an atwood v1250 looks somewhat new, with external float,it is plumbed to port thru hull. i tried to get all the loose small crap out of the bilge so it hopefully would not get sucked up just in case. i did see a through hull in the forward locker starboard it is plugged up but no pump or anything attached. i'll look at getting a manual pump connected there again. thanks duchess for the reply. any suggestion on that? after reading the post on the gentleman who had 5 pumps i wondered if i was really in trouble with only having 2.

[rossjo]

2 is not a problem, as long as you have insurance.

You NEED 2 in front and 2 in back. At rest, the ater goes forward, and you need N+1 (-2). At speed, the water goes to the transom, and again I would have anything less than N+1 (=2).

Up to you, but a jam, bad wire, mouse in the line, etc. can sink you boat with only having 1 fore and 1 aft = NO redundancy.

[crazyhorse]

I recently upgraded my pumps. I have a Rule 2,000 with a seperate float switch in bow and stern. My F32 retains water up front when on the dock. 2 pumps seems good to me, but I do not travel very far either. Good luck!

[LandVF36]

I agree with others that you can't have enough bildge pumps.
I have drip pans under each drive shaft at the through hull fittings. It catches the drips while under way and bildges it over-board.

I also have two automatic at the transom and two more forward at the low point in the hull.

All the pumps are powered off a pair of house batteries.

[Dan Faith]

My F32 is an 83 and has indicator lights for each of the three bildge pumps. I have the original delivery papers all all documentation and can override the float switches, it is equiped with high water alarms. there is also a bildge pump in the engine compartment, which should be sealed off from the galley and front of the vessel. This keeps fumes and vapors from collecting since they are heavier than air. Also with no engine bildge pump water can collect and rot the bulkhead between the galley and engine room. The literature also states that the shower pan will work as a reserve pump should the water rise to that level.

Trojan did a great job in ther documentaion in this area.

[David Kane]

I just bought 2 600 GPH Johnson Ultima Automatic Bilge Pumps and 1 Jabsco Amazon' Thrudeck pump (manual). The boat has only 1 Rule automatic forward with a separate float switch that contains mercury, so I want to get rid of it. The Johnsons have built in water level sensors, so no need for separate float switches. Placing 1 aft should take care of water running to there when underway. I'll locate the Jabsco manual pump in the locker at the bottom of the stairs to the fwd berthing compartment.

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[Mac32]

I was thinking of upgrading one of them in my bow (yes I have 2 there) to the Rule sponge series that has a 15 second delay off (I think that is right) to get more water out once the float drops down. My other one is a good ole piston style thumper that will wake the whole marina when she purges, but man can it move alot of water.

Any one use one of these Rules with the off delay?

[rossjo]

I would be wary of Attwood pumps, which are not up to the quality level of Rules or others ...

I'm sure I'll hear dissenting opinions, but I don't think its worth the risk to save $50 or so on a pump

[JuiceClark]

I have a 5k pump up front, a 5k in the engine compartment and a 2k in the transom. However, more important than the rest is a .5k pump in the engine compartment set 6 inches above the other one. If this pump ever turns on it activates a big ol siren I hid in my flybridge helm. This siren is loud enough to wake me up while sleeping in the house. For the $60 it cost, that pump and alarm tells me (and my neighbors) my boat is sinking - or at least my engine is about to get wet! I test it every time I'm down there. See it: