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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

bilge pump

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georgiaboater
1st Mate

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USA
72 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/28/2006 : 22:43:54

I am looking to upgrade the bilge pump system(which has never really worked satisfactory) on my 78. I am tired of manually bailing out.
It appears there are two separate aft bilge compartments. Where do most of you mount the bilge. What type/model/rating do you use? Also, the old manual bilge went out shortly after I bought the boat several years ago. Does anyone know where parts/repalcement for manual bilge can be found. I note that West Marine has several in stock....but I am not sure they would work as a replacement. Assuming I could repair/replace old manual bilge....I was thinking of running a separate hose for my new battery powered bilge out through an opening made at the same height as the manual bilge outlet.

Marshall P

Edited by - on

georgiaboater
1st Mate

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USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2006 : 22:11:12

Say, I cannot believe some of you guys do not have any thoughts on my bilge pump concerns.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2006 : 04:08:36

Don't rush us we're thinking. I have the earlier model which doesn't have a manual pump installed. I did install a large 12 volt bilge pump with a float switch installed to a WM fused three position switch with a light. The location I used for the pump is right next to the cable of the swing keel. I wouldn't use the same outlet, check valve is needed for each pump to work. The exit hose, I think a 1 inch, same size of the pump is installed high on the transum so someone could see it working even from a distance. Hopefully a boater would see the water being pumped and report it and do something about it if the boat is in a slip or on a mooring. Single handing the boat, bilge pump gives you time to correct the problem and you don't have to run a manual pump. Have had sailor friends say that they didn't need a bilge pump because a frighten man with a bucket is better than any pump. Well you got my thoughts.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2006 : 06:33:56

check the west marine ebay store, it has both a new manual and some electrics.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2006 : 10:15:16

I replaced the manual Whale pump--got one at West that fit the bolt-holes and cutout precisely, but needed adaptors for the hoses. Most West stores also have rebuild kits--the rubber diaphram is usually the issue. My fin had a single bilge sump, and I never put an electric pump in it, partly because I hate when they run the battery down trying to suck up a little rain seepage--that was the only water that ever got in there. My emergency bailer, in case of being holed, was a bucket.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/01/2006 10:16:01

dhogenauer
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2006 : 17:43:10

I have a manual bilge pump on my '83 standard rig. I was "testing" it when it froze up - I could not move the handle in one direction. I took it apart, cleaned the line from the bilge to the pump and tried to clean the line from the pump to the transom. There must be a valve of some sort in a very inaccessible place - it feels like it is several inches in from the discharge port. If it is a flap valve, of course you can't budge it from the "water" side. Probing from the pump side, it feels like an elbow or a tee. The good news is that the boat is not sinking or leaking - but when it does, that is probably not the time to learn how the system is put together. Any insight? Any suggestions? Thanks from a real newcomer.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2006 : 07:58:25

Hi Dan,
You can get a replacement manual bilge pump at Catalina direct http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display& category_id=34
I also keep a auto-bilge pump a mid ship by the keel bolts, the more gpm the better. Oh, and I prefer the swing arm type to the float type, they're not as easily fowled. Dave R

Edited by - DaveR on 12/20/2006 08:02:21

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2006 : 10:18:45

Marshall P,

Here are some bilge pump related links you may find helpful:

[url="http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/14.htm"]How To: Installing a Bilge Pump by Don Casey[/url] - the basics.

[url="http://cruisingresources.com/Bilge_and_Bilge_Pumps"]Bilge and Bilge Pumps - for sailboat cruisers[/url] (lots of links to articles).

[url="http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance-articles/19937-devising-better-bilge-pump.html"]Devising a Better Bilge Pump by Don Casey[/url]. This is the general approach I used. A tiny 500GPH automatic 'slurper' pump, a large 3,700GPH damage control pump, and a 16GPM manual pump which can be operated from the helm.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

dhogenauer
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2006 : 10:36:25

Thanks Dave,

But I must not have made myself clear. The bilge pump works fine, the hose from the bilge to the pump is free and clear, the problem is in the discharge side, perhaps a few inches from the transom. My problem is that I do not know if there is a flap valve there (it feels like there might be, probing from outside) or a clog at an elbow or a tee. Any thoughts or insights are appreciated.

Again, thanks,

Dan

Edited by - on

Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2006 : 11:56:05

I would suggest running a fish tape out the hose and see where it gets stoppped. That should at least get you to the right place to start looking.

Edited by - on

dhogenauer
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2006 : 09:32:24

Thanks Chris,
What you suggest is exactly what I did. I ran a snake down the hose from the outlet of the pump toward the transom - it ran into what felt like either an elbow or a tee, not a soft clog of mud and organic material. Then I ran the snake in through the discharge opening in the transom - it went in only several inches and ran into something solid - it felt like perhaps a flap valve or something. I did not try to force it. My question is: What is supposed to be in the discharge line from the manual bilge pump? Is there a valve of some sort? Is there a tee where some other line joins (seems very unlikely)? Does this line often clog and, if so, how does one unclog it?
Thanks, Dan

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2006 : 15:22:45

On my '83 Cat 25' the lines on either side of the manual pump are unobstructed, just rubber hoses. I'm thinking something is in there that shouldn't be. No need for a reverse feed valve since the pump is contained and well above the water level.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT, # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

Trust Me
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2006 : 06:56:55

[quote]Originally posted by georgiaboater
 Say, I cannot believe some of you guys do not have any thoughts on my bilge pump concerns.
I installed a 500 gph this past summer and joined the new hose with the existing discharge hose from the manual bilge to avoid having to drill another hole in stern. I use Lowes plastic pipe and posted some photos but can't find them in search mode?
Merry xmas
Ron

Edited by - on

dhogenauer
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2006 : 15:13:53

Thanks Val,
With that insight, "I'm thinking something is in there that shouldn't be," I'll probe a little more assertively and try to remove the obstruction.
Appreciate the help,
Dan

Post Script: This afternoon I found the culprit - a plastic cap, the kind you might find on a tube of adhesive or tooth paste, that had made it almost to the transom discharge port, but had lodged in the last fitting. With its removal, my manual bilge pump now works very well.

Edited by - dhogenauer on 12/26/2006 21:37:28

georgiaboater
1st Mate

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USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2006 : 09:31:41

Thanks Leon

Looks like three good links to pursue!

Edited by - on

Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2006 : 06:47:14

Dan,
This sounds like thew time I dug up my downspots on my house and found a kids sandel in the pipe.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.