2017 Yamaha 212X bilge pump

[Daren Humphries]

I have had my 2017 Yamaha 212X since new and had always trailered the boat. Recently upgraded to a covered slip with a lift. Got to the boat the other day to find the back under water and the engine bay filled up to the air filters! I don't know if there was some kind of malfunction with the lift or whether someone deliberately lowered my boat. I was amazed to discover that the bilge pump did not operate. Both batteries were off as always unless I'm using the boat. What do people do to protect their boats? Can I wire the water activated pump to the battery directly? I really do find it hard to believe Yamaha had not thought to do that right at the build stage. I don't yet know if I got lucky yet, the water was up to the very bottom of the intake tube. Thanks in advance.

 

[Neutron]

Battery off the auto bilge is off unless you rewire the auto wire directly to the battery. But over time it will kill the battery because yours should be the type that cycles every few minutes

Why did it sink? Was the plug out?

 

[Dave burke]

I have the same boat as you, also from new. I've always wet slipped it and learned what @Neutron said early because the boat almost sank.

I installed a second bilge pump under the swim platform and wired it directly to the battery with a fuse. It's activated with a float switch so it only comes on when needed, not like the factory pump.

There are several posts on this topic and some good how-to info. Search under @swatski or my name and you should find them. If you can't find the posts, let me know.

 

[tangbang]

On our covered lift, my wife noticed that when we were lowering our boat, another lift was also lowering. When we raised our boat, the other lift also raised up. We have remote controlled lifts and my control was controlling two separate lifts. Now I always turn off the power to my lift control box when we leave for the day.

As for the bilge pump, we bought a new/demo 2025 255XD and I am under the impression that the bilge is completely automatic, even when the batteries are turned off. Do I need to do something differently to protect our boat?

 

[Neutron]

On our covered lift, my wife noticed that when we were lowering our boat, another lift was also lowering. When we raised our boat, the other lift also raised up. She have remote controls and my control was controlling two separate lifts. I always turn off the power to the lift control box when we leave for the day.

As for the bilge pump, we bought a new/demo 2025 255XD and I am under the impression that the bilge is completely automatic, even when the batteries are turned off. Do I need to do something differently to protect our boat?

Nope is i stated before if the batteries are turned off the bilge pump wont work, you need to find out what wire is the auto power wire and hook it directly to a battery

 

[tangbang]

Well either you or Yamaha is wrong about the automatic bilge pump.

This function works automatically, even if the battery switches are turned to the off position."

 

[Neutron]

Well either you or Yamaha is wrong about the automatic bilge pump.


View attachment 248233

The op does not have the same bilge pump, he has the older style. Which i did have the same style as his and it is off when batteries are off. I tested this system and NO power to the auto bilge pump when batteries are switched off.

I have not checked this on my new 252se, but it is a totally different pump than the older auto pumps

 

[Neutron]

I just went out and checked my 26 252se and it has power at the auto feed to the pump with batteries off but. Mine does not cycle every 2 minutes. I know for a fact it goes on with water level, so it must have a float internally, which according to my owners manual it should cycle every 2 minutes which is wrong.
Looking at the parts diagram the part number changed in 2021 on all boats. But who knows what they throw in these boats.

 

[Cambo]

Its been quiet this season with engine compartments filled with water. The original poster probably most likely has not seen my response to the responders here it goes again

Every Yamaha should have a water alarm it’s such a simple item . I have had one with a float switch now I just added an inexpensive one from amazon

Zip tied the sensor to the bilge wire and Velcro zip tied the alarm siren near the hatch it took 2 minutes . If the bilge pump doesn’t come on for some reason like stated above or you don’t notice it’s pumping out and not keeping up the audible tone will let you know .



https://www.amazon.com/Topvico-Flood-Sensor-Detector-Security/dp/B07311Z536/ref=sxin_19_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.8eb671a2-a903-4c3a-b962-ebb867a4f8f8%3Aamzn1.sym.8eb671a2-a903-4c3a-b962-ebb867a4f8f8&crid=1G8SCQSWGU86J&cv_ct_cx=water+alarm+sensor&keywords=water+alarm+sensor&pd_rd_i=B07311Z536&pd_rd_r=3ae26c38-2d48-4bdd-8f8d-0f7c5e9f0bee&pd_rd_w=Ricui&pd_rd_wg=wzHlm&pf_rd_p=8eb671a2-a903-4c3a-b962-ebb867a4f8f8&pf_rd_r=Z7MP0970WSR7W1NHENF1&qid=1786379046&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=water+alar+m+%2Caps%2C944&sr=1-1-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&aref=gUepfehWhT&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

 

[tangbang]

@Cambo thanks for the link, I assume you replace battery every season?

Noobie question - I assume bilge in this thread refers to engine compartment. It appears the drain plug opens up directly to the bottom of the engine compartment. Is there a volume of space below the engine compartment?

My boat is stored on a covered lift. Marina manager told me to never remove my drain plug while stored on the lift in case something bad happened (eg lift failed, etc.). I wonder if that is why OP had water in his boat?

 

[Cambo]

@tangbang The model I have is slightly different but the battery lasts about 3-4 years beginning of every season I just lick my finger and touch the sensor and I'm usually in the engine compartment a few times a season checking the oil same thing just check the alarm.

Typo in my post bilge / engine compartment its corrected

 

[Neutron]

I have had my 2017 Yamaha 212X since new and had always trailered the boat. Recently upgraded to a covered slip with a lift. Got to the boat the other day to find the back under water and the engine bay filled up to the air filters! I don't know if there was some kind of malfunction with the lift or whether someone deliberately lowered my boat. I was amazed to discover that the bilge pump did not operate. Both batteries were off as always unless I'm using the boat. What do people do to protect their boats? Can I wire the water activated pump to the battery directly? I really do find it hard to believe Yamaha had not thought to do that right at the build stage. I don't yet know if I got lucky yet, the water was up to the very bottom of the intake tube. Thanks in advance.

Any updates?

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

FWIW, my 2020 210 FSH has the auto side of the bilge pump wired directly one of the batteries with a separate fuse holder mounted on the bulkhead near the batteries.

The manually switched side of the bilge pump only functions when the battery switches are on.

The bilge pump my boat came with does not cycle on/off to detect water, there is an internal sensor of some kind that activates it.