Carver Owners Forum

Just an observation, maybe I am missing something.....Consider what happens if you do have a small hydraulic/oil leak in the bilge. It takes only an ounce or less to create a visible sheen which can spread for quite a distance once pumped overboard, a spill you can be charged for.

Now the same can happen with regular bilge pumps but it would take a considerable amount more to trigger the pumps. I always kept a clean bilge with pads down and engine and trans trays but the last bit was always shop vac and towel.

I like the idea but am not sure about any issue especially when you are away from the boat.

Exactly what I meant, I want to pump into a canister that I can take out to a suitable location. If it's only water that is simple, but if there is oil on top, drain the bottom and correctly get rid of the dirty stuff.


Look for 'aquarium inlet' and find all kinds of solutions for the pickup inside the sponge. Note that most are too big to pick up the low level of the last drops but the sponge is supposed to collect that.

Even the foam stuff for aquarium filters seems made for the job: many sizes and densities.

For the pump a small peristaltic pump should do the job, it can run dry without damage and self-primes so it can handle periodic pumping even when there is nothing to pump out.

Luxury would be to make it supply dependend but this introduces all the possible problems as well. Although a moisture measuring with two pins in the sponge could work to trigger a timed-relay. That would only save the pumping during the time that the bilge is so dry that even the sponge dries out. Nah, too complicated, just a timer with a bypass switch should do the trick.

I do not see the difference between a standard bilge pump and this DIY system when it comes to discharge. Only difference is one goes off when the water level is higher. If your bilge is always oily then maybe not a good idea before you address the oil leak OR install an oil separator if you are concerned.

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A filter like that would go a long way to making that system useable. I think a necessary addition. spotless bilge or not it only takes a small leak this way. Like it or not the operator will be concerned if the MOE or EPA folk get involved, believe me I dealt with this stuff at work for years.

IMO there is a very big difference with a standard pump system . First the pumps don't pump dry to the bottom as the float switches are above the pump inlets or should be, that way it takes time to get to the pumping point with a small leak. If there is oil on the surface the pump only pumps water from below in most cases.

This also gives the operator time to catch problems before they get out, a luxury you will not have when the dry system frequently pumps even the smallest amt. of liquid away. If you are on board every day then part of the operators responsibility is that bilge but when you are away from the boat for a length of time the boat is left to its own devices but the operator is still responsible.

I like the filter/separator idea...

As I mentioned earlier, this isn't something I'd have working automatically. My preference is to turn it on myself as it takes quite a while for me to accumulate a reasonable amount of water before it starts bothering me. The only time my timer will activate is when I turn the system on manually. During that time, it will cycle on and off to allow the sponge to saturate again once the water level is down to a point where it's not constantly pumping water.

search for AC condensation pump. reveals a world of solutions. just mount them in a sponge construction and it's all compact and good to work automatically or manually. Saves a lot of hardware hacking... perhaps too much.

I've collected all the parts I need except for the timer. I was going to order it from AliExpress but it's only about $5 cheaper than Amazon and I'd be waiting for a month or so for delivery. So I'm thinking Amazon it is.

You will be pleased. I bought a second one to be used as a manual way of removing/transferring water with a longer hose such as a shower sump overflow. Realized while winterizing last fall my forward shower sump float valve bit the bullet. Pulled the rear pump unit and pumped water into the galley sink which goes directly overboard. This made me decide to get another one for general use.

I have a home made lithium battery booster I use as a battery booster for PWC or any boat in trouble as long as it's a gasser no problem.

I use the same connector to plug into the additional pump, my AC winterizing pump and my mobile pump used to suck out engine anti freeze when change time comes along so it does get a lot of use. Don't be fooled by the small size, packs a wallop and will easily boost a dead V8.

Just so handy in tight places on a boat as opposed to trying to hook up to the main batteries which are usually too far away to be practical.