It’s no surprise that first-time Aussie boat owners are typically taken aback when they discover how many pumps some boats are outfitted with. And it’s not just because states require boats with closed bilges to have a regulated number of bilge pumps: it’s an acknowledgment that any size boat can have a full complement of pumps onboard, with each one serving its own distinctive function.
Pumps are used for everything from bilge and ballast tanks, to freshwater supplies and livewell tanks, with some onboard water delivery systems boasting multiple, as well as redundant pumping capacities. The fact is, no matter which system they’re used with, your pumps are arguably the most critical components of your boat, and they have to perform flawlessly every time. That’s why you can’t afford not to be outfitted with the best.
Shurflo Pumps Satisfy All Your Boat’s Water Delivery Needs
For more than 40 years, Shurflo has been on the leading edge of innovative pumping applications for all kinds of water delivery activities. It’s their industry-leading marine solutions, however, that have solidly established premium quality Shurflo pumps as the preferred water management and delivery system for all sizes of recreational boats. Whether in salt or freshwater, no other brand of pump offers continuous, high-capacity operation under all conditions that Shurflo does; they offer the level of reliability that you want from a marine pump that could potentially be a lifesaver.
- With self-priming, close tolerance delivery units available in both 12V-DC and 24V-DC configurations, Shurflo water pumps are built to draw water from both thru-hull and onboard sources for a full range of marine tasks, including:
- Water delivery. Whether it’s for your ballast tanks when skiing, your bilge tank after a good rain, or just for a washdown, every Shurflo water pump is designed to rapidly and reliably move large volumes of water, including corrosive seawater, with no leak back.
- Waste evacuation. The waste water from live wells, sinks and showers, and other grey water sources needs to be evacuated safely and quickly, and Shurflo pumps are built to transport sediment-laden effluent water with ease.
Power plant cooling. Shurflo’s rugged lineup of intermittent duty raw water pumps is perfect for delivering the essential cooling that marine engines need, but without the hot / cold scaling that can lead to dangerous cooling water blockages throughout the system.
Shurflo understands how extensive the plumbing configurations on some boats can be, and they know that when it comes to critical water delivery systems like bilge and ballast tanks, only the most durable pumps are built for the job. They have to be ignition protected for use in the presence of flammable vapours, and thermally protected against potentially dangerous heat buildup. Most importantly though, they need to be able to transfer water under the harshest conditions, and that’s precisely what their top-of-the-line pumps excel at.
Best Built Bilge Pumps for the Toughest Conditions
If it seems like boat owners and marine safety regulations place more emphasis on bilge tank protocols than any other onboard water system, it’s no coincidence. As a minimum, your boat’s bilge tanks are responsible for collecting rain runoff and washdown water; but depending on your boat’s plumbing, they can also be used to hold water from hoses pipes, cooling systems, and even lubricant and fuel overflows. In short, not only do bilge tank pumps need to be able to handle large capacities of water quickly, but they also need to be tough enough to move sludge and residue that could possibly damage an impeller or other downstream accessories.
Shurflo’s heavy-duty submersible pumps are the best on the market when it comes to moving water out of your bilge tanks, and they boast a range of high-performance characteristics that include:
- Volume capacities up to 7569 LPH (litres per hour);
- Standard, or float switch activation; and,
- Continuous duty, anti-airlocking operation.
With their high-strength nylon bodies and impellers, and stainless steel shafts, Shurflo’s submersible bilge pumps are designed to work under the most strenuous conditions. And when used as part of a multi-pump, fast evacuation bilge strategy, this is the pump you want to have on board if you experience a hull breach and urgently need to get water off of your boat.
Sturdy Ballast Pumps for Stable Boating
Although ballast tanks are standard components on ski and wake boats, their increasing popularity with newly converted cabin cruisers and yacht owners are an indication of how much they prefer their stable ride, along with their better weight distribution in the water when loading, unloading, or trimming. That’s why the Shurflo pump used with these tanks need to be able to move water as efficiently as bilge pumps, but with the advantage of reversibility.
Together with their flexible reversible impellors, Shurflo’s premium lineup of water-cooled ballast pumps boast the same heavy-duty nylon construction as their bilge pumps, and are built to the same standards of sturdiness, but with an array of attributes that are exclusive to ballast tank service, including:
- Volume capacities up to 4161 LPH (litres per hour);
- A fill capacity of 50 kg/minute; and,
- A conservative 4.5 amp draw on 12V DC.
These hard-working, high-torque submersible pumps also incorporate Shurflo’s patented anti-air locking feature into their housing; this allows them to clear trapped air in an instant, no matter where you are.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re a new, or veteran boat owner, you can’t afford to forget your boat’s plumbing. It’s the one system that could keep you afloat in an emergency, which is why you only want the highest quality pumps.
For optimum onboard water management and delivery, high-quality Shurflo pumps are the boat owner’s hands-down favourite. When you need them the most, they’re the pumps you can trust to perform.
