1996 Speedster bilge pump switch

[Moog62]

I am VERY new to boating and I just bought a 1996 Speedster. The boat is nothing but fun! The only problem is that I have my mooring about 12 miles from home and the boat does not have an automatic bilge pump.

Any general suggestions?

I have been online looking at bilge pump float switches. Any idea as to what would be the best choice? Has anyone installed one for their boat?

In addition, I just purchased a nice boat cover (rip cord style) fitted for the boat. My wife and I went out of town and came home to find that the cover was essentially yellow soup bowl filled with water :ack:

Some of the water seeped into the engine compartment but luckily didn't get too close to the oil lines, etc. I pumped it out with the manual bilge pump and took it for a spin to get the rest of the water out of the boat. Long story short... I have been on overton's looking at the "support poles". What holds these up? Says that it has non-skid base but looks like it would just topple over when I pull the cover over it. Am I missing something? Any better support solutions to make it tent up a bit more?

Many Thanks in advance.

 

[unclejay]

Well...

Someone correct me f I'm wrong, but the general consensus is, Sea Doos should not be left in the water for extended periods. if you must, youll need an after market automatic bilge and a way to keep the batteries charged like a Battery Tender

No pole arrangement will keep heavy rain out. it is not the oil lines which are at risk, its the main bearings at the crankshaft. There is a clean out procedure but if it sat for days in water, bad news.

The idea of the pole is, after installing the cover, you then grab the tip of the pole thru the cover and place it upright. An alternative is a long piece of PVC pipe laid lengthways to tent the cover but be careful of the ink on the pipe and your upholstery.

 

[Moog62]

REALLY!?!

The guy that I bought it from had it in the water all season but he had it at his dock so, when it rained, he had the luxury of heading down the steps to his dock to turn on the bilge pump ;-)

I think that I will definitely have to install a float switch but I was curious about which one. I have heard, if I get the cover from pooling water (supports, etc.) that this will keep most of the water out as it cover the entire boat. I would then have to make it out there immediately after the storm to bilge (not at all convenient ;-) That is why I would REALLY like to install the float switch installed.

I also noticed another Seadoo (challenger) on a mooring near mine at the club that doesnt even have a cover on it at all. They are out in it a LOT though and, either bilge immediately or, I imagine, have a float switch already ;-)

Comments and suggestions needed and welcome.

Many Thanks,
Vaughn

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Vaughn

 

[kustomkarl]

Seadoo's should not be left in the water for long periods of time. The small cooling hoses can become full of algae and others things that are growing in the water and will allow it to over heat over time. They also could cause seals and bearings to become saturated with water seepage too. The bilge would have to be working to prevent water from filling the engine compartment too. If you must, try West Marine for a adequate bilge pump.

Karl

 

[Moog62]

Many Thanks! I will let you know how it turns out.

Take Care :hurray:

 

[imnothot02]

heck if ur gna let it sit in the water by ur boat house get a sump pump or just let it sink, cuz its not gna be worth a darn next season anyway...

 

[Moog62]

Curious

This reply, frankly, has me a bit perplexed. The fellow that we bought the boat from (we know him quite well) has put the 96 speedster in the water next to his dock EVERY year and leaves it there for the season each and every season.

The only difference is that he can march down the steps to his dock to turn on the manual bilge switch. I, on the other hand, am 12 miles from my mooring. Hence the float switch idea.

What, in particular, leads you to believe that, having the boat in the water throughout the season, will render it useless next season? This is exactly what has been done to this boat every other season and it runs GREAT!

Many Thanks!

 

[jsmayda]

My bilge pump comes on auto when I hook up the battery. Does it not come on by a float switch or something?