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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Guzzler Bilge Pump

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Jack Heaston
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/09/2004 : 10:51:29

Does anyone know if the bulkhead mounted bilge pump in the lazerette is a Bosworth 400 or 500 series? All I can find is "Guzzler" on the back. It has 1" end fittings, which would suggest a 400 model. I need a rebuild kit (it leaks around the flange, even after cleaning it out and lubricating with Vaseline) and would rather order the right one. It looks like the pictures on the Bosworth website, but they don't show how to differentiate between the two models.
A second question. Will the new rebuild kits work on a 20+ year old pump? Any advice?
As always, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jack
83 FK/SR
PS - At first, the bilge pump wouldn't work at all, but dislodging a mud dauber's nest in the outflow fixed that. Then it emptied the bilge to the hose level, but water dripped from the flange. The bilge was half full after filling the freshwater tank. Some rocket scientist at Butler & Co decided that intentionally stubbing off the tank vent line about 12" above the tank and hidden behind the liner, instead of running it to a vent above the deck fill like on real boats, would save a few bucks. When the tank is full, the additional water merrily flows out the vent and into the bilge.
I've owned other Catalina products (a 14.2, 27 and 36) and appreciate their exceptional value, realizing they're not Cadilacs. But cutting this corner astounded even me. Is this standard on the 25, or was this boat built on a Friday?

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2004 : 11:12:27

My tank is installed the same way as I learned when I overfilled it one time and the water from the dockside hose merrily filled my bilge as I happily kept sending more water into the "tank".
I agree that it's a lousy way to install a fresh water tank. I believe the factory installed Guzzler on Silver Girl is the 400 model.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2004 : 11:33:15

The vent line on mine goes through the bulkhead, then up to just under deck height, then loops over the bar in the hanging locker. It looks original, but I can't be certain.

Regardless, the only time I've used the deck fill is the first time, and then only for about 30 seconds because I had no way of knowing how full the tank was or when I should stop filling. Since then, I simply remove the cabin cushion and access board, then fill the tank through the 6" round screw cap in the top of the tank...knowing when to stop filling is then obvious.

Edited by - RichardG on 05/09/2004 11:34:28

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2004 : 13:02:10

Mine vents to a deck fitting.

The main difference between the Guzzler 400 and 500 is the diameter of the in/out fittings. One warning--my old one needed a new rubber boot on the outside, where the handle attaches. The new models and the repair kits do not include that boot. So I got a new Guzzler, which comes with a hinged cover over the opening--better for keeping the weather out of the dumpster. WM only has the 500, so I got two 1x1.5" adaptors, but now the inlet hose (from the bilge) makes a pretty tight turn to attach to the pump. I think I'll need to buy an elbow. The new 500 mounts through the same holes.

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 13:42:10

Mine says "Guzzler 400" on the top (looking down into the cockpit locker). You might try poking your head down in the locker so that you can see the underside -- it might have a label there.

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austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 14:42:59

My '79 C25 SR/FK actually has no bilge pump! I'm looking to route the ejector hose and have not decided the best place to go through the hull. Where did Catalina put it?
For now, I just run the hose straight into the cockpit, using the existing drains to get water out of the boat until I figure out where to put the hole. I know the higher the better, and I will make the 'U' (upside down) in the hose, but knowing where the designer put the hole would definitely help!

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 15:02:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by austin72
 My '79 C25 SR/FK actually has no bilge pump! I'm looking to route the ejector hose and have not decided the best place to go through the hull. Where did Catalina put it?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My outlet is located on the transom just to port from the lower rudder gudgeon as pictured in the C25 Parts Catalog.

[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/manbro/pictures/pc12.gif"]C25 Parts Catalog Transom Picture.[/url]

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Jack Heaston
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 15:45:23

Thanks for the suggestions and Guzzler pump size.
Just ordered a 400 rebuild kit from Defender (500854 $12.99) and a 90 degree angled deck vent (300830 $11.49) for extending the vent from the watertank so it can be filled without removing panels or dewatering the bilge.
The centerline for the bilge pump discharge on my boat is as Don says, 10" to port and 1.5" above the flat surface of the lower gudgeon. One might investigate access to that part of the transom from inside the boat before drilling a hole.
BTW - Defender lists the M4-V under the Bosworth 400 Series as "Pump w'vertical handle, thru-deck mounting ring." (500843 $51.99) Down below the cataloge lists a Thur-deck mounting kit "Inlcludes deckplate, boot spacer and thru-bolts," which clouds the issue of whether or not everything one needs in included in the M4-V. One might ask or call Bosworth at 888 438-1110?
Anyway, thanks again.
Jack 83 FK/SR

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 16:22:25

When I first bought my boat I took the water tank out to clean it and replace the tubing. I noticed the vent went up behind the seatback (not very far). Looked Like a good heel and it would start draining the tank. I re-routed it into the space under the head sink and made a big loop (more than 360) figuring I'd have to roll the boat before it would start to drain.

Then I rigged a gauge to tell when the tank was full. Put a T fitting off of the bottom outlet hose, ran the tube off the T out (drilled a couple of holes)and up the seat face from the floor and back into the tank area to another T fitting added to the vent tube near the tank fitting. Marked the tube going up the seat face in gallon increments. Now I know how much water I have left. (I've tried to have this posted with pictures to the Tech Tips, but to no avail) If anyone would like pictures, I can e-mail them. I don't have a place on the web to post them.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2004 : 22:57:04

If anyone would like pictures, I can e-mail them. I don't have a place on the web to post them. - John

Hi John,

'Neat idea ... 'sorry you've had problems getting it added to the Tech Tips.

Why don't you post the photos in this thread? That way those who want to can "steal" them. I've got a ton of photos I've copied and saved in my sailboat files.

I'd bet there are plenty of people who'd like to see your handiwork ... 'just a thought ...

Edited by - on

dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2004 : 02:49:04

Yes, pictures would be great, either on the thread or directed to me. We are considering a bildge pump any ideas are appreciated.

We came from having a fin keel capri 22, to a swing Catalina 25. Alot of new learning.

Any help is appreicated.

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2004 : 13:18:19

Okay, I think I figured out the picture thing.

The thread sidetracked from bilge pumps to "fresh" water tanks. This is about the water tank and a gauge to tell when the tank is full or empty or in-between.

It ain't pretty, but it lets me know the status of the water supply. And it is cheap!

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2004 : 13:53:13

It ain't pretty, but it lets me know the status of the water supply. And it is cheap! - John

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... I think it is cool!

Thanks for posting the photos!

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2004 : 20:52:47

John:

Great job! One of the terrific things about owning a C25 and this web site is that there are a bunch of cheapos among us who invent stuff and share it for free with each other.

When I first bought my C25 I, like most of you, filled the bilge. Determined not to repeat that disaster (that was also when I discovered the Guzzler Bilge pump didn't guzzle), I filled it the next time through the inspection hole in the tank. That was when I learned that a full tank of water distorts the tank enough so you cannot then screw the cover back in place! A deck-mounted vent adds maybe ten dollars to the cost of a C25. Come on, Mr. Butler... what were you thinking?

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