[Jason Cooper]

1250 Johnson SPX auto bilge pump in my 14'. Its my only way to evacuate water and several times I have been very thankful to have it.

 

[jay.bush1434]

I have a Rule 1100gph fully automatic cartridge style bilge pump in my Vantage. Incidentally, it is the same pump for my release well so if I needed, I could just swap them pretty quickly.

 

[Capnredfish]

I will add why I can’t stand my Rule. It auto senses water. Well how can a pump work when it has intakes approximately 5/8 an inch high? Once water gets down to 5/8 an inch it sucks air no longer able to pull water it keeps cycling. I don’t mind that tiny amount of water in pump depression of hull but the sensing should not work below that level. I assume a float switch style would go on/off as that water moves with boat but pump can’t pick up water and air. So auto fuse is pulled for flats fishing.

 

[bowersmw]

I will add why I can’t stand my Rule. It auto senses water. Well how can a pump work when it has intakes approximately 5/8 an inch high? Once water gets down to 5/8 an inch it sucks air no longer able to pull water it keeps cycling. I don’t mind that tiny amount of water in pump depression of hull but the sensing should not work below that level. I assume a float switch style would go on/off as that water moves with boat but pump can’t pick up water and air. So auto fuse is pulled for flats fishing.

I would hope the intake is below the float level. I wonder if rotating the pump / float 90deg might make it work better? What is your discharge hose route? Does it have a bend above the thru hull discharge to prevent all the water in the hose from running back into the bilge when the pump stops?

 

[sjrobin]

I have a Rule pump with a on/auto switch. Three years no problems. I test it/flush it every time I wash the skiff. Usually not a lot of debris on the skiff during the course of a day.

 

[CPurvis]

Ok so I went with the Johnson SPX 1000gph. So now do I screw or glue the base? Seems like every time I turn around I'm having to drill another hole in my boat.

 

[firecat1981]

I usually just 5200 the base in. I don't know what you would screw it to unless you have a fairly thick cored hull.

 

[FlyBy]

I usually just 5200 the base in. I don't know what you would screw it to unless you have a fairly thick cored hull.

Yep.

 

[CPurvis]

Would a two part epoxy like the JB weld stuff you get at Home Depot work ok. And what if I want to remove. What is the best way to remove once glued down?

 

[FlyBy]

Heat gun for 5200.

 

[CPurvis]

Heat gun for 5200.

That's the info I was looking for! 5200 it is the. That stuff is so hard to get off but I would rather have a glob of 5200 in the bilge area than 3 holes. Bobby at skimmer skiff said I can screw it down as long as I didn't use anything longer than a 3/4 in screw.

 

[firecat1981]

Use 5200 or something like it because it's flexible. If you use epoxy it could crack loose.

 

[CurtisWright]

I went with Johnsons after all the poor reviews of the newer rules. No complaints thus far, but also not a long term review.

If you have the space, the best bet is to install two at different elevations. One that gets used all the time, and one that remains "fresh and ready."

I did this. I put a 500gpm Auto Rule at a low level, and a 1200GPM Attwood on a manual switch about 2" higher for taking waves over the bow crossing Lake Bourgne.

I have two plugs in my boat, one on either side of the tunnel. Can pump water out faster than it comes through the two 1" drain holes.

 

[CurtisWright]

I didn't install it yet. I actually bought it to drain a pool. It was not ideal but it worked.
It's a 3/4" outlet but I hooked it to a 5/8" hose that ran 30+ feet away with 5ft of elevation, so it had to work much harder then if it were on a boat. It ran for like 2 days straight and drained I think 8000 gallons.

Sorry to derail- Just FYI,

Pumps have to work harder when the elevation change and resistance to flow is minimal. The more head/resistance, the less they flow and the less power they consume. I know this sounds counter intuitive, but its true.

 

[CPurvis]

So got my pump installed. It is a non auto pump only works if I turn it on. Can anyone tell me why I even need to glue it down. It looks like it will work just fine like it is.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

Seriously? Because running through waves it’s likely to beat itself up causing cracks or flop over on top of those lines in front of it, preventing it from reaching the water.

 

[CPurvis]

Seriously? Because running through waves it’s likely to beat itself up causing cracks or flop over on top of those lines in front of it, preventing it from reaching the water.

Ha! Damn tough crowd. Had to ask. Soooo I guess that a no go. Ummm asking for a friend. LOL

 

[Net 30]

No need for 5200. Use fast cure 4200 and you'll have no problems.

I've used Johnson pumps on my last 2 boats and had no issues.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

Ha! Damn tough crowd. Had to ask. Soooo I guess that a no go. Ummm asking for a friend. LOL

I can see wanting to avoid putting screws in your hull but it’s worth a few dabs of adhesive. Good thing about th Johnson pumps is the motor cartridges drop in from the top so if it dies you won’t have to pry the housing up.