Manual Bilge Pump in H33.5?

[Ken Palmer]

I was asked recently if my 1990 Hunter 33.5 had a manual bilge pump in the cockpit. Of course it has an electric pump in the bilge. either automatic turn-on or manual turn-on, but no "manual" pump in the cockpit. I carry a manual West Marine water pump for any emergency that may arise if the electric pump fails, but haven't heard about Hunter sailboats having a manual pump unless it is a small boat. Comments?

 

[Rick]

Yes you should have one. And I think it is actually a requirement. On my 336, the Whale manual is in the lazarette and the female connection for the pump handle is on the port side of the swim bridge walkthrough.

Would bet you have one too.

 

[navigator97]

Ken, We have a 1990 Hunter 33.5 also. It does have a manual Rule Bilge Pump in the cabin. It is located on the outer side of the Aft Dining Bench ( the same bench that the Hot Water Heater is located in). There should be a separate handle that inserts into the pump. In my case it was always located inside the Nav Station "drawer". The hose from the Manual Bilge Pump goes through a thru-hull discharge fitting on the starboard side of the hull. Dick, S/V Puffin

 

[Ken Palmer]

Ken, We have a 1990 Hunter 33.5 also. It does have a manual Rule Bilge Pump in the cabin. It is located on the outer side of the Aft Dining Bench ( the same bench that the Hot Water Heater is located in). There should be a separate handle that inserts into the pump. In my case it was always located inside the Nav Station "drawer". The hose from the Manual Bilge Pump goes through a thru-hull discharge fitting on the starboard side of the hull. Dick, S/V Puffin

Very interesting. Did you buy the boat new? I know the area you are talking about, and there is only a Hot Water Heater in that space. I bought the boat in 2003 from an owner in Canada. There is no special thru-hull there either. Hummm.

 

[twalker H260]

In Canada the requirements are for a manual bilge pump OR bilge pumping arrangements -We're not required to have both power/automatic bilge pump and a manual pump.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-equipment-size-greater8m-500.htm

 

[John T1594]

Life span of manual pump bellows?

I have a aging Whale type manual emergency bilge pump on my 2000 H340 that, thankfully, I have never had to use. What would you consider to be the working life of the rubber bellows for the pump? Is there any thing that can be used to extend the life (silicone, lube, etc.)?

 

[navigator97]

Hi again Ken, We bought the 1990 H-33.5 in May of 1999. I don't think that the original owner (we are the 2nd owners) added the manual bilge pump, but I am not certain.

John, I replaced the bellows on my manual bilge pump about 2 years ago. It was 21 yrs old at the time. After replacing it with a new one, I looked over the original one and cleaned it up. It looked as good as the one I had just put on new. Now I have a spare that I will probably never need.