Installing a new bilge pump

[Ben Lambert]

Hi! I'm installing a new bilge pump in my '71 Catalina 27 (hull #92!). I have a couple of questions that I've encountered while doing this. I'm relatively new to boat owning, so my apologies if some of these questions are basic.1) anything to watch out for when screwing in the new pump base into the bottom of the bilge. I'd hate to run a screw into the floor of the bilge and strike water! The keel is directly below the bilge, so would I be screwing into that, or is there some room between the floor of the bilge and the keel.2) The bilge floor gelcoat (?) has become cracked and is chipping? Should I be worried about this, and is there anything that should be done?Thanks!Ben LambertS/V Mariah

 

[Dave]

PUMP

Ben: I have a CAT 27 and use a Rule bilge pump. I have it sitting near the aft end of the bilge with nothing screwed down...It is rigged with a float switch and seems to do just fine. I have secured the wires just below the floor level so that they are out of the water. It is rigged to a switch that allows for auto or manual operation. As for the cracks...it is hard to tell what the situation is...if they are surface there is no problem, but if they are deep then you should have them looked at by a boat yard.

 

[Phil]

I use silicone caulk

I can't get a screw into the bilge floor either. there may be a good reason for that, so I would not want to force the issue. After draining and drying the bilge floor thoroughly, I have had good success in applying caulk to the bottom of the pump and switch, and pressing them onto the bilge floor.Phil DeckerS/V Catmandu1982 C-27 TR

 

[john]

Bilge pump reply

I would highly recommend that you don't screw the pump to the bilge sole. I have a 1976 C27 which had the pump screwed to the bilge sole. Eventually the screw let in water from the bilge which migrated to the wood core. I had had to remove the old core and reglass. Catalina has a drawing and instructions for replacing the core. It's a very difficult job. I re-installed the bilge by affixing it to a nearby keelbolt and one of the holes used for the bilge cover screws.