[C320-list] Dry or Wet Bilge Pump Sump Area

[Pat Ireland]

Our bilge stays dry except when we are away from the boat for an extended
period of time.  Teflon packing - either the coated or the clay, we are
using a combination - allows significant reduction in lubrication flow and
no noticeable heating of the gland.  The small sump behind the engine will
hold what water does accumulate and a weekly wipe up combined with
evaporation keeps the primary bilge dry.   If you are not able to stay ahead
of the drip rate with a weekly wipe, it's time to adjust the gland.  Our
shaft is brass and may help dissipate any friction heat that is generated.
This has been a trial and error learning exercise, so no significant
scientific theory or data collection was implemented.
Consequently, YMMV.   There have been a number of prior posts that provide
guidance.  We learned a lot from those that shared and appreciate the help.

Pat - 801

On Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 8:01 AM, Fred LEcuyer <fred.lecuyer at live.com> wrote:

>
> I've had the same issue with standing water in the bilge and tightened the
> packing gland. This reduced the water flow and I found that if I left the
> boat much over a week, the bilge water started to turn really nasty! I now
> drain as much as possible before leaving the boat.
>
> Fred
> First Light
> Hull 926
>
> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > From: wflowe3 at aim.com
> > Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:12:49 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dry or Wet Bilge Pump Sump Area
> >
> > Probably doesn't hurt anything but I use a small wet/dry shop vac to
> completely dry out the bilge when I leave the boat for a week or more. My
> sources of water seem to be ) 1. air conditioner ; 2 packing gland (however
> almost no water drips out) ; 3 a slight amount of water finds its way down
> the mast in rain storms.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: David Detrick <dldetrick at live.com>
> > To: c320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> > Sent: Sat, Oct 15, 2011 12:58 am
> > Subject: [C320-list] Dry or Wet Bilge Pump Sump Area
> >
> >
> > This may be an old question addressed before—but is it ok to have some
> >
> > moisture (and maybe a ½ inch or so of water) in the bilge pump sump area?
> I
> >
> > am in San Diego (very dry with no humidity) with a 2004 model C320. I
> leave
> >
> > the fridge on 24/7, and sail 2 or 3 times per month, using the engine for
> >
> > about 2 hours each time out (packing gland drips a drop every 8 seconds).
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Will constant moisture and water mentioned above, be detrimental to my
> boat
> >
> > in any way? Will mop it dry after use if necessary.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > David Detrick
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>