Battery pump fro a rowing boat

[JonW]

Hi All

I've been trying to research this on the Internet and haven't found the answers I want. I am going to participate in a 78km night race in Denmark in a 2+ inrigger rowing boat. These boats are very buoyant, but can take on water from the odd wave or from rain. We have a scoop on board, but it can be difficult to steer when using it, so I'd like to install a battery powered pump.

So the question is what sort of pump and where can I get one? I'm thinking of a 12V system with a small battery powering the pump. The pump won't run all the time, just if we have more than a few cm of water in the bottom. The only pumps I've seen are bilge pumps which are too powerful for this application and use too much current for a small battery. The pump must be able to suck from right beside the keel of the boat.

Does anybody have any ideas that may help?

Regards

Jonathan

[Ian McColgin]

I'd go for a good foot pump like the Henderson that's sometimes used in kayaks by those who want a real pump and not a dribblesquirter.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

The first kayak pump I ever met was built using a tennis ball and some aquarium tube - better than nothing - but the game has move forward since then.

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2003/03Feb/pump02.htm

[jonboy]

I have a small 12 v bilge pump in the runabout.. it's perfectly capable of who-knows-how many litres per minute at full crack, but with a manual switch or a cheap simple float switch and a sealed motorcycle-type... 12 v battery running only when its needed I don't see a problem dealing with a few litres of water and then shutting off... the battery I use is a completely sealed unit about 10 x 8 x 4 cm as used in those portable jump start -tyre inflator bits of crap from the chinese shop, but the battery's ok... or a burglar alarm ..kicks-in-when-the-mains-power's-down battery.. same kind of thing.

[JimConlin]

How about a small diaphragm bilge pump like this?
http://www.thebosworthco.com/images/Cutouts/gh-400_v1_co_pop.png

[J. Dillon]

Like Jonboy I use a simular system to keep rain water out of my open 18' sprit rigged skiff. Only difference is that I have a 5w. solar collector to keep the batt. charged. It works great with no problems so far. It has been also a wet summer here in the NE USA and the system never sinks the boat below the level of the boot top.:D

JD

[JonW]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't want a hand pump as the steering ropes mean that you need both hands to steer the boat when waves are coming from astern. I also looked at the foot pumps which seem the best solution, but there's no suitably located bulkhead to mount one on.

I'm going to go with jonboy's suggestion, but use a 12V Whale submergable pump ment for pumping water in caravans instead of a bilge pump. This type of pump was suggested on the newsgroup rec.sport.rowing where I also posted my question.

Thanks again

Jonathan

[rbgarr]

http://www.easybailer.com/

[Ian McColgin]

Why mount on a bulkhead. These work in any configuration. It's handiest to mount it on the hull or floorboards or a brace across the frames right under where your right foot comes down.

I really think a battery powered unit is a terrible mistake. Not only has the battery less endurance than you, but the weight you're dragging about would be better invested in Guiness to keep your strength up.

[jonboy]

Why mount on a bulkhead. These work in any configuration. It's handiest to mount it on the hull or floorboards or a brace across the frames right under where your right foot comes down.

I really think a battery powered unit is a terrible mistake. Not only has the battery less endurance than you, but the weight you're dragging about would be better invested in Guiness to keep your strength up.


The original post's whole point was something auto I thought..

just weighed and measured the battery I use... a sealed unit works-upside-down 7.2 Ah...its 16cm x 9 x 6, weighs 2.5Kg....

thats 2.5 pints ( sorry Litres)of Guinness...

the bilge pump weighs less than a kilo, and the bits of hose, wiring and Jubilee clips negligible.... no contest.

[SaltyD from BC]

I spent several years with various small boats moored in front of our last place. This is on the west coast of Vancouver island - a true rain forest.

A small car battery ran a 250 g/hr I think it was Rule pump with a float switch. The pump and switch cost about 30 bucks new. The proper way to make this a no maintenance item would be to add a small solar panel as JD suggests. I never got around to that and found the battery would last about 6 months after which I'd just take it ashore and stick it on the charger overnight. ..

[Todd Bradshaw]

I had an Attwood "Water Buster" bilge pump behind the seat in one of my kayaks and it worked fine. Runs on C or D batteries (can't remember which) and contrary to my initial scepticism about it, the little bugger worked quite well.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AP2XS2/ref=asc_df_B000AP2XS2859137?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealt5800-20&linkCode=asn

[Canoeyawl]

A small gel cel can be mounted in any position
3"x3.5"x4" 12V
rechargable
$20.00
These are for emergency breakaway trailer brakes
http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/hmc/20008_2.jpg (http://www.etrailer.com/pc-BAK~HM20008.htm)

[JonW]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

I love the look of the easy-bailer, but how efficient are the solar panels during my night race? :D It seems for for boats that are kept in the water, whereas our inriggers are only in the water when being rowed.

As to the foot pump, I really need to take a photo of the boat to show the proplem. The boats are clinker built of 3-5mm cedar or plywood. I don't think the planks are make for the local stresses of someone pumping water with their foot. We never stand on the hull of the boat.

Now that water buster looks perfect. I just need to find one in the EU.

That's the sort of battery I was thinking of. I'll use one for the light and one for the pump.

Best Regards

Jonathan

[Kevin G]

I just mounted a bilge pump in my Beetle Cat. I bought the smallest Rule pump, mounted it without a water level switch. The I wired it through a single pole single throw rocker switch mounted on the side of the centerboard trunk. I was looking for a small 12 v battery to power it. I was going to get a small motorcycle battery, but just in the nick of time, I looked at my Bosch screwgun, and saw that it runs 10.8v. I said to myself, if it has enough amperage to run that screwgun, there must be enough to run the pump. Sure enuff, it worked out well, and the battery is small enough to put in your pocket, carry into the house, and recharge on its own little charger. I was happier than a "pig in doo doo". While sailing, I just run the water pipe into the top of the centerboard trunk. Works nicely, and the best thing, it is small.

[JonW]

Those Attwood pump are expensive in Europe, but searching for "portable pump" on a famous internet aution site found these -> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250402420171

I've ordered one to see if it's good enough. It doesn't have to empty a whole boat, just remove rain or the odd wave that splashes over (though hopefully we'll have clear weather and flat water :-) )

Regards

Jonathan

[LeeG]

once again check the kayak websites, there's a few in NZ that have put together portable bilge pumps. I think it's preferable to have a pump that can move sufficient amounts for fractions of a minute at high volume than a low capacity for longer duration.

The Attwood Waterbuster can be fixed up with 5C cell NiMh batteries or 3 D gel cell batteries instead of the stock 3 D cells. You can position it so that you can tap the rubber button switch with your foot. It's not that durable , can't be dropped or left in standing water above the lid after running or else the cooling motor will draw a vacuum and water will come in the seal.

Also check www.watertribe.com for info on homemade pumps.

[J. Dillon]

Despite all the rain we have been having here in the NE USA my little set up as mentioned above has not failed me.:D Most of the rain comes at night. The solar charges it up as soon as day light comes on and does not rest till after twilight. It even charges during no sun periods but at a lower rate of course. This is it's second year of operation.

JD