[C320-list] Bilge Pump and Ice

[Jon Vez]

Dean,

I assume you have winterized your water system with antifreeze? If so, do
you leave antifreeze in the bilge? If the AF is sludging and therefore
causing your pump problems, you may want to consider using the -100 stuff. I
keep my boat in the water here in Boston every other year (I'm in this year)
and I check the AF in the bilge to make sure there is enough there to move
through the system adequately. Fortunately I haven't gotten any water in the
boat and have not had this problem. It's been a particularly brutal winter
and so far, no problems--hoping I can make it to Spring okay!

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dean Vermeire
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 1:37 PM
To: Catalina 320 List
Subject: [C320-list] Bilge Pump and Ice

Hi all,

The bilge pump in our 320 (2001, #847) is behind the port settee, not 
down in the bilge as it was in my previous boats.  The boat is in the 
water this winter, with agitators to prevent ice in our slip.  This is 
the second winter I have had the boat in the water here in Kansas.

The problem is that bilge pump struggles to run and then trips the 
breaker.  I'm not overly concerned, since we are not getting much water 
seeping into the bilge.  I'm not sure where water is freezing, whether 
in the pump itself or the lines.  I've got an electric heater in the 
boat that kicks on at 38 degrees, but that is not helping.  It is not 
getting enough heat to the bilge pump or hoses.

Do any of you have the same problem?  Have any of you solved it?

I'm thinking there must be some sort of heated strip to put up there to 
keep the hoses from freezing.

Thanks,
Dean Vermeire
Moonstruck II (#847)