www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone know if an aerator pump can self prime?
There is a low spot in front of my engine that dips under the fuel tank and water collects from heavy rain(trying to fix that but I doubt I ever will stop every drop) the bilge pump does not pick it up so it pools and sits there then stinks. I try to pick it up with a sponge but its quite a pain.
I was thinking an aerator pump which is basically a bilge pump with a piped input would work if it can self prime. Transfer pumps are expensive and don't have good capacity. I would like to use this as a backup pump if needed. I can pick up a 1000gph for about $50.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Nope, an aerator will not self prime. The water level needs to be above the impeller.

If you are talking about a aerator pump for a live well, no they will not raise water up to the pump impeller level to self prime. They are basically a bilge pump with plumbing to re circulate water in the live well. A diaphragm type water pump should draw a vacuum and self prime to a height of 3 to 8 feet, depending on the pump. They are supposed to be able to run dry without harm. A smaller one should pump a couple gallons a minute, or 120 gph. They can be bought for 50 to 100 bucks or??? Run a pick up hose to the low point. Mount the pump where convenient. Run the discharge hose through a thru- hull drain fitting, maybe where you can see it pump overboard. Run a fused line to a switch at the helm. Water levels below what the bilge pump can remove should be no more than maybe 5 gallons or so. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to empty.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I figured it wouldn't work. Maybe I will get a regular 1000gph bilge pump as a backup and one of those small hand held battery pumps that have a small diameter and I can just drop it down. I tried a hand pump but the one I got didn't work so well. It was hard to prime with such a small amount of water.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Best thing I found for getting that last little bit of water out of the bilge. And its cheap too.
http://www.amazon.com/Water-Blaster-XLR ... B0000BYAWZ

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

So do you blast the naughty kids with the bilge water?
I was thinking of this for the last of the bilge water. It says it has a 10ft lift but your blaster looks better. Its hard to reach down in that area even if I get in the engine compartment.
Thanks

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LYO45E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=16SNS7CED69DK&coliid=I2I443YSNH0TLX

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

It does also work well for blasting the occasional duck, seagull, or wife from the swim platform.

I have a similar pump to that I use for changing engine oil. Works ok for the oil but would be a pain to hold the hose in the bilge water and pump at the same time.
I think I got it at Kmart for 10 bucks.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... aQodubUA7A

_________________
2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Thats the exact pump I have and yes it is a pain holding the hose as well as it being difficult to prime. I am going to try the water blaster.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson