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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

bilge pump

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tom
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/29/2003 : 14:17:42

I took the cover off and started cleaning up on saturday. My first
glance around the cabin was in the areas beneath the cushions. On the port side under the aft dinette table cushion there was about 7" of
water. First is this pretty common on a older boat (81 catalina fixed keel) My next question is that I tried the manual bilge pump located in the cockpit and it did not work (I used a pail and a hand pump) is
there anything I'm missing or does it look like I need a new pump. ps I had some water up front in the anchor locker is that commom. The boat has been sitting on the hard all winter lots of snow in CT.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2003 : 15:25:56

Hi Tom,

You mentioned that you took the cover off the boat ... did it cover the entire boat? If it did, AND your boat is on the hard, where did the water come from?

It is common for older boats to have rain leaks ... especially around the stanchions, chainplates, and windows. I have an L-shaped dinette ... it doesn't have an aft settee, but I do get some rain under the port settee (I am convinced it is coming from the stanchions that I haven't rebedded yet).

As far as your manual bilge pump is concerned ... it is only going to pump water out if the end of the intake hose is submerged in water. In other words, check to see where the end of the hose is ... it just might be in a part of the bilge that is dry. In the case of my port settee, there is no way for the water to migrate to the part of the bilge where the end of the hose is ... I would never be able to pump the water out of there whether the manual bilge pump is working or not.

As far as the anchor locker is concerned ... it is VERY common for the little drain tube to get clogged up. Here in Texas it is a favorite place for red wasps and mud daubers to try to build nests. It is a narrow opening about 1/4" in diameter on the bow of the boat. You can take a coat hanger, long slender screwdriver, etc. and poke it in there to remove the obstruction. There are some C-25 owners who have replaced the drain tube with a bigger one because the original drain tube clogs so easily.

'Hope that helps ... I'm sure others will weigh in with their ideas, too. Keep us posted on your progress ... good luck!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2003 : 20:30:45

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>bilge pump...is only going to pump water out if the end of the intake hose is submerged in water. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Also check to see if you have a Y-valve. My cockpit operated bilge pump can pump out the bilge or the head holding tank, depending on how the Y-valve is set. Mine is located just behind the stairs.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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tom
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2003 : 10:09:05

Yes the bilge pump hose is submerged in water. Is it common on older boats for the pump to be replaced? Or is it common that it gets clogged up and needs to be cleaned?

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2003 : 10:34:40

I believe there are kits to occasionally rebuild your bilge pump, add some waterproof grease and all that, (it's that maintenance thing)
I would first check that the hose leading up to the pump is unobstrructed, and then take the pump apart and have a look see.

More interesting though, Richard, Is it comon to use the bilge pump to empty the holding tank? Is it built to deal with anything less that, shall we say, lump free liquids?<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> If so I like that Idea....I'm planning on building a head in my 250WB, and the capability to empty when and where legal is a good one....Guess you could then plumb in another valve to pump water from the head intake through the pump afterwards as a rinse....(labeling would become crucial.......one could potentially be pumping outside water overboard in a "sinking situation" <img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>)

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway, just back from Florida ready to go anytime.

Edited by - oscar on 03/30/2003 10:35:30

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2003 : 10:44:03

Tom,

I rebuilt my pump last year with a kit I bought at West Marine. You could have a hole in the diaphram or one of the check valves may not be sealing. It's a pretty easy job. If you're ever checked by the Coast Guard, it needs to be functional.

Eric Werkowitz
C25 #4969

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