Replacement bilge pump

[Jeff XK19]

What's the best replacement bilge pump for my 70 XK 19?

[Peter XK19]

Hey Jeff, get anything that runs on the same volt you have in your boat. 12V most likely. If you find one more pricy then it will probably last longer.But most any bilge pump will do the job.

Good Luck

[57 chris]

Bad advice! Bilge pumps are as different as the boats they're going in! Voltage is the first thing to consider but beyond that you need to determine what purpose this pump is going to serve. With pumps, bigger is always better if you want to prepare for the worst. If you don't care if the pump might save your boat then get "whatever".

[Al Benton]

If you're only dealing with rain water and spray a smaller pump works well. One that's too large would only run long enough to fill the discharge tube, then recycle over and over as the water re-entered the bilge from the oversize tube. It's good to have a big one for disasters when the unexpected comes along but to take care of the every day water nuisance in a fiberglass bilge it's nice to have a small one with a skinny discharge tube. It might be good to have a small primary and a large "Oh HE-double hockey sticks" backup one. Works out good in my wood boat.

Al

[57 chris]

Exactly right Al.

[Peter XK19]

I am so sorry for the bad advice! I just read Jeff wanted to "replace" his old pump. So why chose a bigger one? Why use a set-up with dual pumps? Why not just replace his old pump with a new one the same size. I got the feeling the old pump had gone bad and he wanted a new one. So back to my advice : chose anyone(resembling your old one) at your boatstore. Bilge pumps are so easy to manufacture these days that even a cheap one will work good. But like I wrote, a more expensive one will most probably last longer. This is my bad advice and I am sticking to it. Sorry.

[Jeff XK19]

Gentlemen. I appreciate all the advice and guidance. Good points from all. I ended up going with a simple 750gph unit with a 3/4" hose and tinned wire and it's working just fine. Of course the Boy Scout in me causes me to always have a portable unit handy for those unexpected events.

[57 chris]

For normal use I see that as a good choice. Safe boating!