Any ideas on options for Ensign Pearson moored in Salem MA regarding bilge pumps? We just bought this Ensign and with no electricity and just an outboard and lots of rain we are using a hand bilge pump and it is exhausting. Is there an alternative? We are in our 50's and just taken up sailing so we can 'get in shape' but hand pumping the bilge is hard...
Ensign bilge pumps
- Thread starter Emfour
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Battery, solar panel and a pump or a cover
Perhaps limiting the amount of water coming in may help, say by using a boom tent or a boat cover. But you might consider installing a battery and a bilge pump. You have the option of using solar power to recharge the battery or take it off the boat to charge it. A solar panel might not fully meet the demand of the pump but it would depend on the size of the panel and the amount of rain you get. A fairly small battery (like a group 26 or 51) with a handle on it is pretty manageable. I have had good luck with 2 flexible 35W solar panels on my boat but there not cheap. I would think a boom tent in combination with a battery and a single 35W panel would do the job. Hope this helped, Al M
Perhaps limiting the amount of water coming in may help, say by using a boom tent or a boat cover. But you might consider installing a battery and a bilge pump. You have the option of using solar power to recharge the battery or take it off the boat to charge it. A solar panel might not fully meet the demand of the pump but it would depend on the size of the panel and the amount of rain you get. A fairly small battery (like a group 26 or 51) with a handle on it is pretty manageable. I have had good luck with 2 flexible 35W solar panels on my boat but there not cheap. I would think a boom tent in combination with a battery and a single 35W panel would do the job. Hope this helped, Al M
D Battery powered
I have a small battery powered (4 D batteries) pump that I use for my tender. A guy next to me has one set up with a float switch that keeps his boat drained all week.....depending on the amount of rain of course as the batteries will drain.
I have a small battery powered (4 D batteries) pump that I use for my tender. A guy next to me has one set up with a float switch that keeps his boat drained all week.....depending on the amount of rain of course as the batteries will drain.
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