[C320-list] bilge pump issue

[Jack Brennan]

Hi Scott:

My diaphragm pump was dead when I bought the boat three years ago. I replaced it with an automatic Rule 500 gph pump, which snugs in between the keel bolts in the compartment where the mast support is.

My problem with the diaphragm was that it was only 250 gph, which translates to 175 or so in real life. Not much help in any kind of emergency. The 500 translates to about 350, which is a little better. The downside is that the diaphragm seemed better at draining the last gallon out of the bilge.

For emergencies, I have a 2,000 gph pump with a hose that leads into the cockpit and alligator clips to go on the battery bank. The advantage to that is you can lend it to a buddy boat in trouble.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.



Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Scott Thompson
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 9:17 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] bilge pump issue

My 1999 boat (hull 653) has the original diaphragm bilge pump under the 
port settee. I've had almost no problems with it over many years until 
recently. Last season I had a few occasions where the bilge pump would 
come on and not shut off unless I killed power to it to reset it. I 
assumed the sensor in the bilge was bad and replaced it over the winter. 
But the problem remains.

When this happened recently I noticed that the pickup hose in the bilge 
was not secured and had moved around. I think this probably happened 
when we were sailing through some fairly big seas and strong winds with 
a lot of heeling and boat motion. My current hypothesis is that the hose 
pickup ended up somewhere between the high and low settings for the 
sensor so that when the pump was triggered by the sensor at the high 
setting it started sucking air before the water level dropped below the 
low setting. This would explain the pump coming on but not shutting off 
even though it was no longer pumping water. Cutting and restoring power 
then shut it off.

All of this made me wonder whether that hose end is supposed to be 
secured somewhere in the bilge, and if so how. I didn't see any place 
where it appeared to have been secured previously. However the problem 
did not occur for many years until recently. Does anyone with a similar 
vintage boat have the hose secured? If so, how? A picture would be 
appreciated.

As for where the water is coming from, I determined I need to repack the 
stuffing box next time we haul out. I'm getting a drip every four 
seconds with the engine off despite having the dripless packing. Must be 
worn out.

Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653 (1999)