replacing foot pump

[Wendell]

The galley foot pump leaks. Is there a way to replace it without cutting a hole in the fiberglass shelf under the sink?WendellS/V Purrin

 

[Todd Osborne]

Under the sink access

Part of the shelf under the sink is particle board. Remove it to Starboard and you will have at least limited access. You will also have (more limited) access if you remove the engine access cover under the bench seat. It might be akward, but better than cutting another hole in your boat (I always think of that as a bad idea).P.S. If you really want complete access without a hole, you can remove the whole kitchen arm. It does come off, but with a bit more difficulty than a simple kink one's neck warrants.

 

[Rod Worrell]

Cut The Hole

We have a 1979 edition of the Catalina 30. In the fiberglass liner, between the foot pump to the left and the rear access door to the engine on the right, happens to be where our sink drain thru-hull seacock is. Maybe yours is too. Point is, we couldn't easily get to it ever and apparently every owner before couldn't either. It was a frozen-open gate valve. When dry-docked a couple of years ago, we replaced the gate valve with a real seacock, but also cut an access hole in the liner to always be able to get to it. Its height matches the rear engine access hole, but its width is sufficently to the left of the engine hole to allow about 5" of liner to remain and maintain some support strength. We "widened" the engine rear access teak door to cover both holes and now have easy access to the seacock, engine AND service to the foot pump.S/V Dixie

 

[Alain]

Foot pump.. no hole

I just replaced mine, but I didn't need to do any hole. It wasn't so hard (I have long arms, I guess) and you only have to do it once every 15 years. If you try it, you will need a electric screwdriver... Is a big help.Good luck!!Alain C-301982