All About Boat Bilge Pumps

Almost every boat that has a hull (aluminum or fiberglass) has a bilge pump. What does it do and how should you operate it? Good question. In this video we will cover all about boat bilge pumps:

0:00 Intro
0:34 How does a boat bilge pump work?
1:40 How do I use the bilge pump?
3:05 Boat bilge pump tips.
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For more info check out these resources:

*What is a boat bilge blower?

*One on one boat chat to ask me questions:

*Len's Cove Learning Center:
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Connect with us!

[boatinglessons]

Is your bilge pump automatic float switch wired directly to your battery (always on)? Tell us your opinion on this.

[brandoni]

Great video, and thank you for the continued informational boating videos! Would you consider doing a video in the future on trailer maintenance (coupler / surge brakes, bearing lubrication systems such as grease, oil bath, vault, etc.)?
Thanks!

[pcoladawg]

That was helpful; how about a video on bilge maintenance.

[taylortisaac]

I have an old boat, no auto function. Should I have it on the whole time im underway? Or even when anchored and we're out on the lake enjoying a lunch? Or just turn it on every now and then throughout the day to make sure there's no water down there? Will it kill my battery when we're anchored and the engine is off? A related question, how long will my battery last running lights and stuff without the engine running?

[francus]

Good idea to keep one with 20' of wire and two alligator clips for a portable back up. If you see a boat in distress, you can lend it ... even use it from your battery with boats tied together....

[camilaheredia]

Hi, I have a highfield 420 classic coach boat and I don’t know what to do with the scuppers at the end of the day. The bilge pump always runs (connected straight to the battery) and is automatic. On the manual it says (N/A) as opposed to (closed or open) so I don’t know if it’s best to leave them open overnight while the boat is still on the water, but not being used (moored). I’ve done some tests and I’ve realized that the bilge pump doesn’t pump all the water out, but when the scuppers (they look like plugs) are taken off the rest of the water in the boat that wasn’t initially pumped starts draining out through the scuppers and the bilge pump goes on and pumps water out. I started to think that the scupper plugs are connected to the chamber where the bilge pump is located and as water goes through the hole the bilge pump activates. I don’t know if there is a problem with leaving the scuppers open when the boat is moored. If you know the answer can you please explain why the boat has scuppers, why the bilge pump doesn’t pump all water out and why is the bilge pump hidden in a chamber?

[Natter]

Len, what is the % of boats that have water in their bilges that sit in the marina? I mean is it almost every single one?

[Jay-hekz]

Can you turn on pump when not in water

[vincentrossi]

What is your thoughts on boat lifts vs leaving a 21 feet open deck boat in the water with boat whips?

[drtlc]

Hi Len, have you ever come across that the automatic float switch was not working. I was about to replace a new Float switch, after I remove the old float switch by cutting the 2 brown wires. I was testing to see if the bilge pump would work so I touched the 2 brown wires together and the bilge did not turn on. But I can manually hit the bilge button and the bilge does turn on.
The five amp fuse of the automatic bilge pump was intact.
Any thought ?
My bilge is a rule 1100 GPH ( does not have a built-in automatic)
Thanks in advance

[robertstorms]

Len, I know this is a bilge pump video but do you know the recommended time to replace a water pump. I have a 2020 Robalo. My mechanic recommended every 3 years which means I would be replacing it next year.

[KieranCox]

Nice video! Small note: we don't have basements in the south western United States, so all those sump pump references mean nothing to like a third of America! Lol

[AJDZK]

Why do they fail so often??? The manufacturer seems to blame the dealer and vice versa. I hear these are common problems on Key West Boats.

[rapidcars]

if my boat has a bilge pumps do i still need drain plug? and why?