[C320-list] Bilge Pump and Ice

[Dean Vermeire]

Hi John,

I put the pink stuff in the bilge, but it had cycled out.  The -100 
stuff is not a bad idea, but I think I still need to keep the pump and 
hoses warm.

Thanks for all the input, everyone!

On 2/14/2011 2:42 PM, Jon Vez wrote:
> 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)
>
>
>