Bilge Pump Question

   Ok guys, when i did the build i installed a bilge pump. Little 600gph one. I did put it almost right beside the drain, thinking that the design of the boat would bring the water too it, which it does.

Heres my question. I had it out for the better part of four hours yesterday and it barely had enough water in it to even half way cover the holes of the pump intake. Id hit the switch, it would run but wouldnt pump the water out. Does the water have to be high enough to cover those holes completely or is there some other issue going on here. I would have thought it would have sucked it up but doesnt seem like theres a vacume there to do the job. I let the water in it, put it on the trailer and while on the ramp it was up over the holes, kicked it on, it ejected the water. Is this thing opperating properly or did i miss something? help!

ok cool. thanks

That 5 hp motor should get it moving fast enough to pull the plug and drain the water while moving. It has to be going fast enough so no water is against the transom. Drained a 14 foot semi-vee filled with four inches of water like that with a 6 hp.

I have done that hundreds of times....and know a lot of people that do it.  Most of the ones that have never seen it, have the same reaction as you JGut

ha ha....ok musky.....my self confidence may never reach that point...lol

What does the prop have to with it? The plug is installed inside the boat.

On my small tiller control boats the plug is inside.  On the ones with floors it is outside.....