309 Bilge Pump Issues

[Ken13579]

The bilge pump on my 309, Hull #22, is not pumping the bilge. It runs but nothing comes out of the discharge. When I disconnected the tubing from the output of the check valve, which is directly connected to the pump output, it pumped fine. When I did that, the standing water in the line drained out, and when I hooked it back up it worked and water came out of the hull discharge. But, when I tried it again, (now the discharge line was full) it again didn't discharge. My only conclusion is that the pump doesn't have enough initial pressure to force the check valve open against the head in the discharge line. The problem seems to have started last year around the time I discovered a leak/split in the discharge line about 5 ft from the output of the pump. As the ribbed tubing looked difficult to repair I cut the tube and installed an in-line pvc coupler. I don't know if that created enough of a restriction to increase the pressure of the head against the output of the check valve, but, coincidentally or not, later in the year I noticed that there was no discharge through the hull when the pump ran. I have been regularly using the Whale manual pump to get the water that is collecting in the bilge from the refrigerator and A/C condensate.

I have had friends recommend that I remove the check valve from the discharge of the pump, and that the loop in the line before it goes through the thru-hull should be enough to protect against siphoning seawater into the bilge. I could also replace the direct/connected check valve with an in-line one further downstream. I could even replace the coupler I used to repair the leak with that in-line valve.

Anybody have similar problems, or any comments? Would appreciate any advice.

Ken Reed
309 #22 "Duet"
New Buffalo, MI

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Check valves are usually a bad idea in that they will invariably fail and you don't know it until it's too late. Also, if your current bilge pump won't handle the existing head pressure, it's probably time to get a larger pump and if it is original equipment from Catalina, it is likely a 500 gpm pump which is too small to handle any significant leak anyway so this may be a good time to size a proper pump and rewire everything to ensure good electrical connection.

As a bare minimum, check the voltage drop to the pump as bilge pump connections are prone to corrosion which will "weaken" the pump's efficacy.

 

[jsalley]

Hey Ken,
I had the same problem a couple of seasons ago, and it eventually burned out the pump (Don - OEM pump is a Rule 1100 GPM with integral float switch). I replaced the check valve at the same time as the pump, and it's worked ever since. However, I agree with Don that the check valve is probably a bad idea, and removing it is on my list of things to do. Since I finally fixed my mast leak, though, bilge water has been less of a problem so haven't gotten to it yet!

 

[Siamese]

My bilge pump didn't work on my new 309. I couldn't get my dealer to fix it. They actually came my boat and worked on it for about an hour once, and claimed it was working when they left. The pump worked, but the water it pumped out simply returned to the bilge through a leak in the hose. They said they fixed the leak in the hose.

Finally, in our fourth season (I confess) I tore out all the hose...kinda crummy stuff, actually. There were two holes in it within a few feet of the pump. Obvious that the dealer had done nothing to try to fix them.

Anyway, I put in all new, higher quality hose...no check valve. Works fine now.

 

[tahomathundr]

Ken, I hope you got your bilge pump situation fixed. Just to let you know that the Rule 1100 pump has changed design and dimensions. Mine died about 2 weeks ago and the new style will not fit between the keel bolts unless you turn the pump about 30 degrees then use a 90 degree fitting which reduces flow somewhat, there is not much room between those bolts. So far I have been lucky with the check valve and hose and the new pump works fine.


Bob C309 #20 "BIG LUV"

 

[Ken13579]

Okay, I am really going to replace the bilge pump on my 309. What model do I need to buy, and do I need to make any mods to the mounting surface?

 

[tahomathundr]

Ken, I got the new model Rule 1100 from West Marine and the only change needed is to turn it about 30 degrees and drill new holes in the starboard that is under the pump. Just don't drill too deep. Then you will to use the 90 degree fitting that comes with the pump. It works fine with the fitting and the check valve.

Bob C309 #20