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[MichaelK]

Many people use a water pump as a bow thruster, 
Has any one tried using a water pump as a means of propulsion?

Thanks Mick.
 

[slug]

couldnt a jet drive be classed as a water pump drive??? just a thought slug

[MichaelK]

I should have rephrased the question.
For a sedate speed boat, not a Graupner Jet drive!
Mick

[knoby]

Majority of the bait boats on the market use water pump propulsion & I also remember someone At my old club converted an electric bilge pump From a full size boat) to drive a hull as an experiment. He chose it because it had a 1/2 inch outlet pipe, it worked OK, but was only walking pace at best.

Glenn

[MichaelK]

Thanks guys.
Since I posted the first post (about 2 hrs ago) my windscreen washer pump died from over work.
Guess it's back to the drawing board again.
Mick

[hopeitfloats]

i used 2 whale inline caravan water booster pumps for bow thrusters and they work really well.  they were a lot cheaper than graupner etc but mainly because i got them through an online auction. i think they retail new here for about the equivalent of £25. i know of one NZ member of MBM who uses bilge pumps and they worked well too.

[Netleyned]

Thanks guys.
Since I posted the first post (about 2 hrs ago) my windscreen washer pump died from over work.
Guess it's back to the drawing board again.
Mick

Windscreen washer pumps are designed for intermittent running
As you have found out they don't like constant running

Ned

[boatmadman]

I am servicing a bait boat for a friend that uses 2 water pump units.

They are effective, but not fast, give plenty of maneuverability. However, they use a LOT of power. They go through a 12v 8.5ahr lead acid in 20 mins.

Ian

[treeboa]

bait boats that are pump drive tend to be rule units

http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/ru12vodcnobi.html

[Edward Pinniger]

The US PBR patrol boats, as used in Vietnam, were powered by water jets - for easier navigation of weed-choked inland waterways - one of these could be a good scale subject for water pump propulsion.  Dean's Marine sell a GRP hull for their 1/24 PBR kit, which is apparently designed for use with water jet propulsion.

[irishcarguy]

Hi Michael, windshield washer pumps are not designed to run continuous, they will fail pretty quick if running non-stop. They also have a high current draw. Mick B.

[Netleyned]

Echo

Ned

[ZZ56]

Windshield washer pumps WILL run continuously but not at maximum voltage, which is usually 12v.  However, at lower voltages they don't put out much thrust.

Any centrifugal pump will also suffer if run in reverse, so check your wiring carefully. 

[MichaelK]

Thanks for all the info,
As the pump died a overheated , rattly death , I'm not going down that road(river?)
Mick