12v fresh water pump

[JT]

I finally pulled out the old 12v. fresh water pump. It is a Jabsco #36900 which is an automatic 4.2 gpm pump. I checked with the factory and they can completely rebuild it for between $90 and $125 depending on what needs to be replaced (cost is over $300 new). A new ShurFLO 3.8 gpm pump is $134 in Defender catalogue. Is there any reason not to have the original pump rebuilt?Thanks!!Jay T.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Buy the new Shur-Flo pump

There's virtually no difference in cost between the new Shur-Flo and having the old one rebuilt....go with new. Btw...what size is your boat? A 4 gpm pump, or even 3.8, is a BIG pump--bigger than is usually found on most 50' boats. I only had a 2.8 on 32' boat...water tank and pump were under the cockpit, head (and head sink) was forward right behind the v-berth...I had more water pressure than I needed.

 

[JT]

Boat is a Columbia 9.6 (31'-6"). Two fresh water tanks (one under each cabin seat), head and sink between cabin and v berth.Jay T.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

J.T., I'd try a 2.8 gpm Shurflo pump first...

About $90 at West Marine...it's a 10 minute job if you don't screw it down till you test it, and they'll take it back if it doesn't deliver enough water pressure. But I strongly suspect it will. Another advantage to replacing instead of rebuilding: you don't have to be without a water pump for at least 3 weeks (5-7 days each way in transit via UPS, plus at least a week for 'em to work on it)...and btw...WM will match Defender's price, you can walk in and pick it up, so no shipping cost, which makes a new pump even more cost effective. And a whole lot easier to try more than one size pump.