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I have a 16SL and bilge pump went out. Exisiting pump is an Attwood 4155, but can't find any spesc. What size should i get?

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A google search results state that is a 500 gallon/minute pump.
Most 16/17 owners have 500-800 gallon pumps.

Some prefer the pump/float to be a single unit. I prefer the float switch and pump to be separate units. Rule or Attwood make several models. Check your local supply house. Cost is ~$20.

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I prefer the Rule-Mate 500 or 750.

There isn't a lot of room in the sump of a 16/17' hull like a Montauk and the Rule-Mate has a built in switch. I put the Rule-Mate in and put the steering and throttle/shift cables on top of the Rule-Mate and that was all that was needed to hold it in place.

Here is one thread I found when doing a search.
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...post_48188

And here is another in the same search:
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...post_15925

Unfortunately the Rule webiste seems to be down today. That's not good...

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I like the rule auto pumps. no switch to worry about. It uses a chip in the top to cycle on and stays on when water is present.

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Thanks loads............

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That rule auto pump is a battery killer. I sank a boat with a perfectly good auto bilge pump after it ran the battery dead. Stick with float switches, simple and effective

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Just for clarification.

Rule makes different types of pumps.
The one DWinter is describing is the Rule Automatic which turns itself on every so often to see if water is present. This type can wear your battery down.

The Rule-Mate has a built in float switch which only turns on when the float switches rises due to water. Basically does the same exact thing as a separate float switch but is integrated into the unit so you don't have to install a separate switch which takes up more room in a small boat.

The Rule website seems to be up today.
Here is the Rule-Mate 750 with the built-in float switch.
http://www.rule-industries.com/produc.../index.htm

The above units fits very nicely into the sump of the Classic 16/17' model Whalers.
I have used both the Rule-Mate 500 and the Rule-Mate 750 in my Whalers including my current Outrage 18'...

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Thanks Joe, I guess I did kinda leave that hangin' out there.

What he said!!!

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Duane,
How long did your boat sit at the dock before the sinking. I ask because those pumps are supposed to be very easy on the battery drain. I have seen a couple of boats (non whalers) sink due the bilge pump pumping water until it killed the battery. I would think once any pump starts pumping unless it is on shore power the battery is doomed.

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DWinter,

One of the things I learned from being involved in interactive websites is it is really hard to see the big picture for each and every user, part, boat, motor, etc....
Everyone and everything can be different. Lots of variables.

I agree with you on the Rule-Automatic... That is why I never bought one as I didn't think it should come on unless there was water present...

I just noticed that Rule is now making a "New" pump.
This new pump does not have a built-in float switch but uses a sensor which can distinguish between Oil and Water. The pump only comes on when it senses water.
Something else to think about and try someday. Maybe when my RM-750 fails if it ever does.

Here is the new one. The Rule RM-750A
http://rule-industries.com/images/res...0-pc99.jpg

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Thanks Joe,

Bake, it sat for about a month while I was out to sea with the Navy. Unfotunately we had a lot of rain during that time and I was not there to monitor it. Keep in mind, it was only an 18' Renken.

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yep that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

I have never left my boat in the water for more than a week at the time and used it every day during that time. My non whaler boats I would always check after afternoon rain. My 15 whaler I would pull the plug and usually put it back during the day while pulling the kids on the lake, or heading out to fish.

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Renken may have been the fault more than the pump. That said, while living aboard my trawler in Va. Beach early to mid 90s installed one of the Rule pumps that would cycle. Plenty of power to it but wore itself out checking for water that wasn't present.

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Actually the only Renken part left was the outer hull and top cap. I bought it for $25.00, stripped it and rebuilt it from there. So, I couldn't even blame it on Renken being a POS. It was a shame too, because that boat saw as many 30lb+ Stripers as any of my bigger boats.