Arid Bilge System Sales, Installation & Service

The innovative Arid Bilge System is an extremely effective way to keep your bilges dry, clean and odor-free. Optimum performance, though, depends on a well-planned and well-executed installation — especially on larger boats with multiple bilge areas.

With decades of marine systems design experience, Thomas Marine can help you determine which Arid Bilge product is best for your application, design your system, and professionally install the control box, pickups and tubing.

Standard bilge pumps are designed to remove relatively large volumes of water but not to get every last drop out of your boat. In fact, even when mounted at the lowest point of your bilge, bilge pumps leave an inch or two of water.

That standing bilge water causes a variety of problems. It not only leads to mold, mildew, grime, algae and odors in your bilge (and beyond) but also, more importantly, hastens corrosion of generators, stabilizers, thrusters and other machinery; electrical connections; and plumbing components, as well as rot and delamination of wood and fiberglass structures.

The solution is basically a high-tech shop vac that uses vacuum pressure to suck every last drop of water out of as many as 11 different bilge areas. The Arid Bilge system consists of a central bulkhead-mounted “box” containing a processor, a compressor, and a collection chamber. From one to 11 remote pickups are mounted in the bilges and connected by flexible tubing to the box.

In simple terms, the processor senses when there’s water in one or more of the collection areas and then sucks it into the collection chamber via the pickup(s) and tubing. The system is completely automatic with no need for timers or apps and runs on 12/24V DC power (or AC if desired). Power consumption is minimal — in a typical installation, the Series 4 system draws roughly 2Ah per day.

Because the Arid Bilge System uses vacuum pressure and technically moves air rather than water, critical components never come in contact with bilge water. That translates to exceptional reliability and long service life. The system is also ignition-protected in accordance with USCG 33 CFR 183.410.

Note that the Arid Bilge System is not intended to replace conventional bilge pumps. It is a standalone system specifically for removing the water left behind by conventional bilge pumps. An added benefit, though, is that Arid Bilge does much of the day-to-day work conventional bilge pumps perform and keeps them high and dry, extending their life.

Arid Bilge offers four systems. All are made-to-order with your choice of zones, voltage, valve styles and pickup styles.

• Series 1 — Single zone only

• Series 2 — Two to three zones

• Series 4 — Four to eight zones

• Series 9 HD — Nine to eleven zones

DIY installation is possible for mechanically inclined boat owners — especially for systems with one or a few zones — but professional installation is typically recommended for larger systems. Installers determine the number and location of pickups, route the tubing between pickups and box, and mount, configure and wire the box.

Systems can also be upgraded with hour meters that record how much each individual pickup is running, providing a valuable tool for detecting and diagnosing water intrusion issues.

“I recommend that all our customers get them put in. The Arid does an excellent job in keeping these compartments clean and dry so when you open that up, you’re never met with a horrid nightmare, when it comes to the mess to clean up as well as your health.” —Connor Henley, Customer Representative, Bahama Boat Works

“It’s kind of a no-brainer for us to put the system on the boat. We have customers that really pride themselves on maintaining boats. The idea is to offer an experience where they don’t have to worry about replacing components or fixing.” —Keith Privott, Albemarle Boats

“I was adamant when the boss bought this boat that we find a system that would operate automatically and get the water out of the boat. It’s bone dry, beautiful, you can work with it, it keeps the smell down… putting that pickup in here was absolutely necessary.” —Captain Chris Zasky, 77’ custom sportfisher

“I’ve used this system onboard my first boat for years and bought one for my next one. Absolutely fantastic and easy to use. It should be a requirement on every new build! Recommend to every boater that wants to keep their bilge clean!” —Boat Owner Geoffrey Mint on Google Reviews

“This system should be installed on every single boat. No matter what … you’ll have water in your bilge from time to time. With a dry bilge I’ll know right away when something is not right. The bilge is currently bone dry and we’re super happy.” —Pierre Holstein on Google Reviews

“I purchased a boat with the Arid Bilge system installed and loved it. I have since installed it on the next two boats I purchased. I have tried the others and nothing beats the simplicity, effectiveness and reliability of the Arid bilge system. —M J B, on Google Reviews