At Arid Bilge Systems, we take pride in building high-performance solutions trusted by professionals across the marine industry
From military vessels to luxury yachts, reliability and precision matter—and no one understands that better than Ed Ruff of EC Ruff Marine.
With decades of experience servicing everything from residential marine equipment to commercial vessels and government applications, Ed Ruff brings an unmatched level of expertise to every installation. Based in South Florida, EC Ruff Marine has become a leading name in bow and stern thruster systems, stabilizers, and high-tech marine electronics. Ed’s insight into performance, durability, and long-term reliability made him an early advocate of the Arid Bilge System.
In this testimonial, Ed breaks down why Arid Bilge Systems are a must-have—explaining how the system not only keeps bilges dry, but also actively protects high-value equipment, prevents failures, and increases vessel safety. From hour meters to hose routing, he shares real-world applications and engineering advantages that only a seasoned marine technician could provide.
EC Ruff Marine Interview Transcript
“Alfred: Here to talk to you with Ed Ruff from EC Ruff Marine. He’s going to go ahead and tell you about the Arid Bilge System and the wide application that he installs these units in—from residential, commercial, to luxury marine history, to commercial marine history. These are more for the bigger boats. Normally, you would get on a boat and have the bow and stern thrusters installed. This unit would accommodate all your other zones. And with this, we also have the hour meters, which make it easier for you to keep track of oddities on the boat.
Ed: The hour meters are nice because the customer can go to any hour meter and if they see a high number, that’s an indication that there’s a fault or failure that needs to be looked at. Maybe we have a broken hose, a faulty pipe, or some type of leak that this device is picking up.
The nice thing with this product is that in all the applications we install it in, we don’t have complaints or failures, because of the way the manufacturer builds it—with hour meters, pumps, stainless steel components, marine-grade tinned wire. Other companies don’t use this quality, and that’s why you see higher failure rates compared to the Arid Bilge System.
We often see an air conditioning system that hasn’t been used in a while. Then someone turns it on, the pan overflows, and that zone ends up pumping more than the others. So this zone is active and running more. We’re starting to see this as a protection device within the boat. It helps us and people in the field after installation, telling us there’s a problem when one hour meter runs more than the others.
Alfred: The system can go up to 100 feet in distance. Instead of having multiple units for multiple zones, you can just have one centralized system for all the zones. You have your bow thruster up forward, stern thruster aft, and the system is installed somewhere central—typically in the engine room. It spiders out through the whole vessel and returns to one central discharge point. So instead of having multiple pumps, you just have one system.
Ed: Installation is super easy. You want to route the hoses properly and zip-tie them in place. You need clean flow in the hoses and proper wire sizing with an 18-inch fuse spacing for the power source.
Alfred: There’s a big difference between Series 2 and Series 4 units. Ed sells a lot of Series 2 units for center consoles, which usually require two or three zones. It’s recommended to have a pickup for every location where a bilge pump is, for a longer-lasting, dry boating experience. The Arid Bilge System delivers a clean and fresh boating experience the first time and every time—just like it came from the shop.
Ed: We started installing it in the marine industry to keep thrusters dry in the bow and stern of the boat from bilge, rain, and wash water. We’ve also used it in military applications for the Coast Guard and Customs where there are computers and electronics that must stay dry.
Alfred: The Arid Bilge System usually lasts 5 to 10 years or more without needing service. Your bow and stern thrusters, gyro stabilizers—they’re all high-quality products but can go bad because of bilge water. Removing that bilge water extends the lifespan of these components.
Ed: Because of the harsh conditions—motors, wiring, computers in government and private vessels—the Arid Bilge System’s longevity is a big help. It keeps customers on the water longer, using their electronics, stabilizers, and thrusters more reliably and safely. Bilge pumps normally go bad over time. They sit underwater and don’t pick up everything. A bilge pump leaves 2 to 3 inches of water before it triggers. The Arid Bilge System is a supplemental safety feature that removes water 24/7, preventing mildew and wiring damage. This stabilizer, for example, is exposed to bilge water inside the boat. The Arid Bilge System protects it. The application usually has boxed-in stringers taller than the unit, so water gets trapped. That water causes rust, failure, and fault. The Arid Bilge System keeps it water-free. These stabilizers start around $150,000 installed. The Arid Bilge System—for about $2,000—can protect that investment. You already have time and money invested. Usually, the main reason components go bad is bilge water. It could be bilge water, AC condensate, shower water, or other leaks. The Arid Bilge System, built for industrial use, keeps those areas dry at all times.
Alfred: Our pickups don’t have electronic parts exposed to bilge water. The Arid Bilge System creates vacuum suction—it doesn’t replace bilge pumps. It coexists. Bilge pumps handle high-volume emergencies. Arid Bilge handles the continuous, small stuff. It also includes an eco-friendly feature that separates oil from water. From hydraulic fluid, diesel, or antifreeze—everything is separated automatically. The eco-friendly feature, alarm system, and standard Arid Bilge unit are all part of this package.
Ed: It works well when there’s a transmission or engine leak. The client avoids getting cited or arrested by the Coast Guard for discharging contaminants. It helps the captain and crew identify problems early. Some applications include side-power systems and other electronics that Arid Bilge keeps dry. Moisture causes corrosion and equipment failure. We’ve installed Arid Bilge Systems in basements, elevator shafts, grow houses, aircraft, and throughout the marine industry. This is the new SX unit, out for three years. It’s a large unit we’ve been installing on ski boats in the transom. The motor is external, and now it comes with proportional control—not just on/off, but multiple speeds for longer runtimes. We’re working with ZipWake, a trim tab stabilization system. It integrates with your boat’s electronic monitoring. In the test tank, it shows how the gyro blade compensates to level the boat. This is another example of why keeping your stabilizers dry is critical.No rust, no moisture—everything works the way it should. The Arid Bilge System ensures your stabilizers remain operable and your vessel stays clean, dry, and protected.”
Whether it’s a Coast Guard patrol boat or a luxury sportfish yacht, Ed Ruff knows what it takes to keep vessels running clean and dry under pressure. His firsthand experience proves that the Arid Bilge System isn’t just a bilge solution—it’s a critical investment in long-term vessel performance, safety, and reliability.
As Ed says, when it comes to protecting $150,000 gyros, sensitive electrical systems, or simply extending the life of your boat’s key components, the Arid Bilge System delivers every time. One centralized unit, multiple protected zones, and no more water damage.
Arid Bilge Systems – Dry. Fresh. Protected.
