Best way to get last 1/2 inch out of bilges.

[Namoian]

I would second the Arid Bilge solution. It is a beautifully made pump although I suppose it is the lowest capacity and highest cost bilge pump one can buy.

We had one installed over ten years ago. It is the two pickup version and works very well. One pickup is in the engine room and one in the main bilge.
It keeps both completely dry. The only catch, besides the initial cost, is that the valves will stick if the unit is left turned off for long periods of time. If stuck, it takes about half an hour to remove and service them. I recall that newer units have an improved design that eliminates this problem.

Ian

[Jackpmyers1948]

The best wet vac is a Home Depot Bucket Head. It fits any five gallon bucket. The best part, the hose fits exactly over a 3/4" or 1" (you'll need to check which) pvc pipe. Can reach anywhere.

[flee27]

I installed a DIY dry bilge similar to the one Nekton73 linked. Is works great. I have 2 pickup "sponge" locations connected to the pump via a timer. Mine runs twice a day for 2 minutes. Bilge is always dry now. I have a keel stepped mast so there is/was always the potential for some water in the bilge.

Foster

[SV Coronado]

I just use a big sponge and a bucket. Works great and I can also use it to wipe up oil and dirt that remains after the water is gone.

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

wet vac

Agree 100%. A Shop Vac works every time and gets the last drop.

[MVDarlin]

I strongly agree re wet vac. It has the added advantage of sucking up any gunk left in the bilge water. Reminder: Be sure to remove the filter bag before you operate as a wet vac.

[lhuff35204]

Wet vac is alright I guess but not while traveling (takes up too much space)

Get a Home Depot Bucket Head.

[Cynara]

People worry to much

[GILow]

Wet vac on this boat, with a permanently installed pvc pick-up pipe as the bilge is very hard to reach. Just connect the vacuum to the pick-up pipe from time to time.

[Chayal]

One of those bucket buddy wet vaca are handy onboard

[Night_Sailor]

Originally Posted by Patrick of M

My bilge pumps (2 damn deep hard to reach bilges on my boat) with the open strainer bottom, do a great job emptying the bilges. The last 1/2 if sometimes gunky water is hard to remove.
I have tried a couple of drill driven pumps, but one couldn't lift 2' and the other tore up its impeller quite quickly.
Ideally I would like a motor driven pump that could suck up the last of the water.
Suggestions?

Wet/Dry vacuum and remove the filter.