Page 56 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Stelly Special Ed 2022

Bilge Pump Maintenance

An often overlooked part of boat maintenance is the bilge pump. It is out of site and out of mind until you get
in rough waters and need for the excess water to be pumped out of the lower parts of your boat hull. Many
people are intimidtated about digging into the bottom of their boat. No doubt, it can be a real pain to access
it. For me being short, and with most boats having the rear compartment open toward the boat, I feel like I am
upside down with my head in a hole. Not to mention that I might have to disconnect my batterires or other
accessories to be able to reach the access panel. I am not trying to talk you out of it, but it is going to take you a
little time and some tools.

Remember, the bilge pump not only helps get rid of small amounts of water, but it also alerts us that there
could be a significant issue. When you think about it, if a bilge pump is constantly running, it is the first indica-
tion of a leak or maybe we forgot to put the plug in before launching.

Let’s face it. virtually everything has a lifespan, especially electrical components that are repeatedly exposed to
the elements such as water. There are things you can do to extend that lifespan and including a little cleaning
as part of your annual maintenance can go a long way. Water is not the only hazard your bilge pump can face.
As a tournament angler, when I have a torn or broken bait, I often toss it in the bottom of my boat to pick up or
clean out later. I certainly don’t want to just toss it in the water. I also have to consider that those baits can get
washed down into the hull of my boat and as you might guess, they end up back near the bilge.

You can get in the habit of testing your bilge pump before getting on the water. It is simple. Put the plug in and
pour a couple of gallons of water into your boat hull. All boats have drains in the floors and on the decks so you
are not drenching your boat. Have the boat parked on an incline with the stern lower than the bow. Make sure
the power is on. If you have an automatic pump, it will likely kick on as soon as enough water triggers the float.
If not, turn on you bilge switch and the water should be evacuated. If neither of these work, you likely have
a problem! Be sure to turn the pump off once the water stops being
pumped out, as leaving it running will burn it up. There will always be
a small amount of water in most cases.

Here is the gist of what you need. A screwdriver, wet/dry vacuum,
white vinigar, scrub brush, small scissors, a tiny bit of grease and for
me, a step stool. Here are the steps.

1. Open the access panel that’s closest to your bilge pump. The bilge
pump itself is about the size of your fist (in small-to-medium
boats), and it will have a couple of insulated wires and a discharge
hose attached to it. It’s usually positioned close to the lowest point
of the hull, within a foot or two of the drain plug.
2. Remove any visible debris from the bilge area by hand. Be sure to look and clean as far forward as you can
as any lbaits, eaves, grass, etc., that are under the deck will eventually end up near the bilge pump.
3. Make sure the bilge pump activation switch is turned off. The bilge pump should be connected to the boat’s
wiring harness via a plastic connector. Find it and disconnect it.
4. Take a picture before you get started as a reference. Then, with your screwdriver, loosen the clamp that is
keeping the discharge hose connected to the pump. Work the hose loose from the pump and put the clamp
somewhere secure so it won’t get lost or dropped into the bilge.
5. Grasp the top of the pump and carefully twist it counterclockwise. It should come free of its strainer base

56 Lady Bass Anglers Association Bilge Pump Maintenance