How often should I turn the blower on when driving my boat, and?

Question

when do I need to turn the pump on?

Answer 1

The blower should be run three to five minutes before you start the engine, during refueling, and if you are at extremely slow speeds. I stress extremely because if there is any movement of air at all through your vents it is not needed.

The pump should be run when you have water in the bilge. Did it rain and your boat was uncovered? If you take water over the gunwhales, or even after a day of skiing, all those wet bodies and gear in and out of the boat may bring water into the bilge.

Answer 2

As the others have said you should run the blower for 5 minutes before starting the engine and whenever you gas up. Also on newer boats that have flush mounted vents you should leave the blower on when going at slow speeds. They have a warning decal right at the helm stating that.

Answer 3

You should run your blower for 3 minutes BEFORE you start your boat, you can turn it off once under way.  This will evacuate any explosive gasses that may have built up in the bilge.  Remember to turn it back on when stationary with the motor running.  Use the pump whenever you have water in the bilge, or better still, install an automatic, sensor style pump.

Answer 4

The blower only really needs to be used immediately after you fill up with gas.  This will clear gas fumes out of your engine housing prior to start up.  Other than that, you may want to just get into the habit of turning it on just before you start your engine in the event that you have gas fumes escaping into the engine area.  Which pump?  

Answer 5

The minimum recommended time you should run the blower to ventilate the bilge is four minutes. Before switching it on, however, rely on one of the most sensitive odor-detectors you have - your nose. No bilge blower will rid the compartment of spilled fuel, which will continue to emit vapors.  

Answer 6

Arnie...PLEASE listen to and follow jims' advice for he's right on the $$$.

crazeddoglady...seriously, I am ever so thankful you're still with us! Really! Gas fumes can fill the bilge and the blower needs to be used to clear them each and every time the engine is to be started! To tell someone "they may" want to do this is sadly, and please do not take this as a slam, totally inexcusable and could lead to serious injury or death to those aboard the vessel.

Arnie...it can never hurt to use the blower! Not needed when underway as the vents will clear fumes but before you turn the key to start the engine ALWAYS clear the bilge as jims stated for 3 minutes!