[C320-list] Hose Connection Between Main Bilge and Packing Gland Sump

[Warren Updike]

Dave, I suspect you are dealing with a construction defect. On our #62, in the bilge there are three hoses passing through the aft stringer in the bilge: black hose (stbd,) gray flex hose (center,) white flex hose (port.) You may see pictures of this at http://c320.org/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20091108205043988 

The black hose to stbd drains both the refer and shaft alley. I assume the two sources are joined by a "Y" connection under the galley floor as water poured into either flows to the bilge pump. While the hard designs seem rather consistent from year to year, how the plumbing and wiring was done seems to change. 

I have, over the years, wrestled with water getting into the space between the hull and liner. I've solved most of them. Some events can't be predicted. This Spring, I'm finding engine antifreeze in that space. It's from an engine coolant hose that leaked into the engine sump over the course of the Winter. It shouldn't leave that sump; but, where the cables to the engine enter the sump only a short distance above the floor of the sump, the AF seeped through there into the hull space. In the past I tried to seal that area; but, access is tough and there is no direct line of sight. 

A while ago, based on a post on this list, I bought a round access port with the intent of installing it in the galley deck under the ladder as someone previously did. I've yet to do this; but, it is still a good idea. Perhaps, you could consider such an access. It might allow you to connect the refer and shaft alley drain with a simple "Y"  Do, please, keep us informed.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Hupe [mailto:hoopdtwo at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 1:00 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Hose Connection Between Main Bilge and Packing Gland Sump

Rick-

I am now very certain I don't have a tube/hose directly connecting the packing gland sump and the main sump.  I originally thought a black hose entering the bilge from that direction was the desired hose, but I'm pretty certain now that hose is from the refrigerator drain instead. 

I actually was able to get my head down into the bilge far enough and shine a light toward the engine area through a hole in the floor grid. I was able to see a conduit (a Pvc pipe?) coming under the engine sump and ending there.  That conduit is the one coming from the packing gland sump (I confirmed it by shining a light into the hole draining the packing gland sump and again looking back toward the engine through the hole in the bilge).  So, any water from the packing gland sump winds up draining into the floor grid.  It backs up in the floor grid until it is high enough to empty into the bilge through one of the open holes for various hoses. 

I would rather the packing gland sump was connected directly to the main bilge.  In order to install a hose, I would at least need a port located near the base of the ladder under (or through) the rubber flooring in the galley.  However, that flooring seems glued down.  I don't know if adding a port in the fiberglass beneath the aft wood cabin sole flooring (just aft of the bilge) would help me enough to install a hose.

Dave Hupe
'94 Hull #32
Holland, MI