So, perhaps one of the most potentially dangerous things about frostbiting, is the lack of support from other boats on the water if you have a major problem such as taking on water. When all but maybe 1 ramp on the lake is frozen in, and fishing out there on one vessel, it's pretty much up to you to get to dry land.
Here's a little piece of emergency gear I put together this past week.
That is a 12v submersible pump that is rated to pump 4000 gallons an hour. This thing is capable of keeping up with a pretty good sized leak in your boat, until you can beach it on land.
After slowly trolling by some 800 lb 6" thick nearly invisible chunks of huge black ice chunks this winter, I thought a good backup pump might be in order, so as not to end up like that other "Jack" from the Titanic movie.
Here is where I got it from. It was about $120.
https://pumpdepot.us/product/submersibl ... od_id=1699
I also bought some 50a alligator clips from the local hardware store (Aubuchon), as well as a 1 1/4" sump pump hose kit. Those two items were less than $20. I cut a lot of hose off too, it was way more than I needed.
The last part needed or not really needed I guess for emergency use only, is an inline fuse holder, and extra fuses. I already had that stuff on hand. It calls for a 22 Amp fuse, I used a 25, didn't have any 22s around. It's too big, but, this isn't a permanent installation.
Here's a picture of the box, in case the link quits working some day.
And the dimensions in mm to see if it will fit in your space.
If I were going to have a bad leak in my boat, the water would end up in the bilge in front of my outboard.
Luckily, even though this thing is a tank of a pump, it still fits down the hole. There is a removable cap that is off in that picture. It's a pretty standard access hole, I think about 8".
I figured I would run the hose out the side of the boat, so as not to possibly interfere with some engines making a last ditch run to shore to save her owner.
And I did the color coded alligator clip thing, for a few reasons. Simplicity in an emergency, the ability to bypass the entire electrical system on the boat, and still have it run, and the ability to easily transfer it to another vessel in distress. Hooks up quickly and easily on the Country Angler. There is a battery on either side of the transom well. Plus, you can store it in your heated area when fishing in extreme temperatures, and the impeller of the pump is ready to go when needed.
I recommend soldering your connections for reliability. I hooked this thing up to a crummy old battery I had lying around, and it drained a 5 gallon bucket in less than 10 seconds. While probably not actually 4000 gallons an hour, this thing still blows away normal bilge pumps in the ability to throw some water.
For about $150 this could be the difference between a story told to your friends, and a story told on the news. I'm looking forward to never needing mine, but, having it just in case.
Suggested Safety Upgrade for Frostbiting
- Detritus
- Posts: 538
- Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:50 pm
- Species: Anything we can catch
- Location: Vergennes
Suggested Safety Upgrade for Frostbiting
"Country Angler" - '93 Trophy 2002 - Cold water boat
"Strike Three" - '04 Triton SF21 - Warm water boat
"The Dumpster" - '90 Starcraft SF14 - Camping Boat
Jack
"Strike Three" - '04 Triton SF21 - Warm water boat
"The Dumpster" - '90 Starcraft SF14 - Camping Boat
Jack
- Reelax
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5747
- Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:27 pm
- Species: Salmon, steelhead, brown trout
- Location: Fletcher, Vt
Re: Suggested Safety Upgrade for Frostbiting
That is so ironic Jack. I have almost the same setup. I use a portable bilge pump, hose and alligator clip hook up. It saved me in my old Lund sport fisherman many years ago...
Matt B
Re: Suggested Safety Upgrade for Frostbiting
I carry a spare pump also. Back before I rebuilt the transom, if the pump failed, I would've had to go in. Always carried a pump that I use for aeration in a cooler as my live well in the derbies. It could also be used to empty a boat quick. Still carry it for backup.
- Wdrnr
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2013 4:42 pm
- Species: Salmon Lakers, warm if needed
- Location: Grand Isle
Re: Suggested Safety Upgrade for Frostbiting
Reminds me of the the adage.... “the most effective boat baler is a scared man and a bucket”