Can someone recommend a good bilge pump kit?

[SeadooDavid]

I would like to install a bilge pump on my 1996 GTI because I forgot to install the plug today and it almost ruined my day. I would like to buy an entire kit that includes all the hoses, wiring connectors etc. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

[Wenier]

Would it not be a better idea to just remember and triple check the plug is in rather than have a bilge pump that may hide the fact that you left the plug out and let water into the hull which you then may keep riding round with in there.

Also remember the ski has its own bilge system that runs when the engine is running.

 

[LouDoo]

I did put a bilge pump in my 96GTI because sometime I leave it in the water for a couple of weeks at a time. I wouldn't bother if you're not going to leave the ski in the water.

If you decide to install a bilge pump there are not kits that I know of, there is a bilge pump a Rule 500 that is made for PWC's, as I recall the pump, a manual switch, wiring, hose and a discharge will run about $100.00.

Lou

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Would it not be a better idea to just remember and triple check the plug is in rather than have a bilge pump that may hide the fact that you left the plug out and let water into the hull which you then may keep riding round with in there.

Also remember the ski has its own bilge system that runs when the engine is running.

yip, i believe that ski came with bailers, not 1oo% sure but I think it did, but a bilge is not a solution for forgetting the drain plug, the best answer on the plug is to check it once, twice, three times before every ride, even if your positive you never took it out since your last ride, I forgot my Yamaha's plug ONCE while riding about two years ago and while I was tied off at the dock waiting for other riders to launch their ski's I started sinking, it was a near disaster and would have been had I headed out into the Gulf like I was that day, fortunately it didn't turn into a major problem, i was in shallow water and right near the ramp at the time so i was able to literally just hop off the ski and stand in 3' of water and hold the back end up while I screwed the plug in.

I almost never take my drain plug out, for this reason, and if I take it out cuz i'm rinsing inside the hull or something, i wet vac up the remaining water and immediately put my drain plug back in... no real practical reason to leave it out until the next ride, at least not a good enough reason.

 

[LouDoo]

The 96GTI does have bailers.

Lou

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I forgot the plugs once in my '99 GTX, it was really slow and heavy feeling... once I put the plugs back in, and rode it a while, it was fine! lol.

I'd skip the pump, and just check the plugs...

I forgot the plug on my boat once, whoooa weeee that was fun. went swimming to get that in... in 55 degree water!

 

[KyleB]

one thing about forgetting something as important as a plug is that if you survive the ordeal it will probably be the last time you forget. For the plug on my big boat once fortunately as I was launching her and still had the bow eye strap hooked up I notice the back end lower than it normally was so I lifted the hatch and sure enough the bilge had water coming in like a screaming banshee. I pulled her back up and let all the water drain and that was the last time that happened. By the way, the electric bilge didn't kick on because I also forgot to hook up the battery before I put her in. Another mistake I'll never make.

Kyle

 

[SeadooDavid]

I figured an automatic bilge pump would be the perfect solution just in case I ever forget the plug again. Not only will a pump give me an early warning that I forgot to put the plug back in when it kicks on(presumably within seconds of the ski entering the water) but it’ll also empty out the hull once I put the plug back in. I know the ski has bailers but I’m not willing to test them out on a swift moving river with the family on board. I figure a bilge pump for less than $100 is a great piece of mind. Plus we’ll probably be anchoring the ski for long periods during the day while we’re out on our friend’s boat. I would hate to come back to the cove and see it barely sticking out of the water.

The main piece I’m looking for in a kit is the connector that would go through the hull. Can anyone direct me towards one even if it’s not part of a kit?

 

[KyleB]

Check with West Marine. They have all sorts of thru hull fittings and I bet they will have exactly what you are looking for.

Kyle

 

[KyleB]

See if this is something that will work for you.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50632&subdeptNum=50646&classNum=50648

Kyle

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Instead of drilling another big hole (West marine outlet) in the hull....

Could he either tap into the tell tale hose? ( or could it "backwash")?

If not, then could he just add another tell tale outlet from Dr. Honda, and connect it to the pump?

 

[LouDoo]

Instead of drilling another big hole (West marine outlet) in the hull....

Could he either tap into the tell tale hose? ( or could it "backwash")?

If not, then could he just add another tell tale outlet from Dr. Honda, and connect it to the pump?

No, these are full size bilge pumps (500gph), a tell tale will restrict the discharge, rendering the pump useless. You can however locate the outlet below the water line (which I would recommend), but you will need to pin the hose high in the hull, similar to the bailer system.

Lou

 

[Seadoobuddy]

No, these are full size bilge pumps (500gph), a tell tale will restrict the discharge, rendering the pump useless. You can however locate the outlet below the water line (which I would recommend), but you will need to pin the hose high in the hull, similar to the bailer system.
Lou

Thanks for info Lou.
Why under the water line? .....Besides not seeing another outlet in the hull.
Wouldn't you want to see if it came on?

 

[LouDoo]

Here's a couple of pictures, the problem with the discharge location on the GTI is when I leave the ski at the lake the pump discharges into the footwell. Filling it with water providing a home for mosquitoes. If you're just going for the day no problem, the only reason I put the pump in is because sometimes I leave it in the water.

The GSX works better but there is a big ugly hole.

Lou

 

[SeadooDavid]

That's what I'm looking for. Are those the connectors that Kyle linked to? What size should I get for the Rule 500 pump?

 

[LouDoo]

They are 3/4" same size as the discharge of the pump.

Lou

 

[Dugout]

Very bad idea to have a thru hull fitting below the waterline. If the bilge hose cracks, clamp fails or the hose comes off the thru hull fitting your ski sinks. You would also be pressurizing the bilge hose while riding that could cause the bilge hose etc to fail. This is one reason you don't see the bilge pump discharge on boats below the waterline. If you do install a bilge pump put the fitting on the front of the ski near the registration #'s so water doesn't fill the foot wells. If it does click on you'll see it. Just read an article about a scupper on a 40 footer that was at the water. The hose clamp failed and the boat sank overnight.

 

[LouDoo]

That makes sense, actually what I do when I leave the GTI in the water is run a piece of 1/2" hose from the discharge fitting over the back of the ski, so I guess where I have the discharge is not too bad after all.

Also if I'm just out for the day the footwells empty when I ride the ski.

What gave me the idea of putting it below the water line is my 96XP has a factory bilge pump which discharges below the water line, I haven't had any problems.

Lou

 

[KyleB]

Lou is spot on. I don't have a lot of experience with PWC bilge pumps but I have a lot with general marine bilge pumps. If the outlet is not large enough your pump will basically useless. The fitting that Lou has on his boat looks similar to the one from West Marine. Anytime I install a through hull anything whether above or below the water line I also sandwich a small amount of clear silicone between both sides of the fitting. It's not that big a deal but it's just added insurance. Hope this info helps.

Kyle