NSW
218 posts
For a strong vote on the ultimate manual bilge pump (bucket) search this site for an account of Webb Chiles on one(!!!) of his solo round the world outings, where he vigorously buckets for 36 hours to save his boat from sinking. In another account he was not so lucky and had to tread water/swim for a similar time when another of his boats quickly went down under him off the Eastern US. I think Cisco may have made posts to this effect.
VIC
433 posts
To further give you an idea of the importance of manual bilge pumps, Cat 2 racing requires a minimum of two manual bilge pumps. Whilst not mandatory, there will be a reason this for this requirement !
Cat 2 :
"Two manual bilge pumps, securely fitted to the boat's structure, one operable above and the other below deckshall be provided. Each pump shall be operable with allcockpit seats, hatches and companionways shut andshall be provided with permanently fitted dischargepipe(s) of sufficient capacity to accommodatesimultaneously both pumps."
A
