Vented Loop Change

[CaptKimble]

I was noticing corrosion on the top of my Westerbeke from water being purged from my vented loop on start up and shut down. It is a known problem on Catalina 380's due to the location of the vented loop. I replaced the original when we got the boat 3 years ago but it didn't solve the issue. I recently purchased a Vetus loop locally and installed it. It has a drain hose I ran down into the engine bilge. I'll add some sort of cup to collect the water later that can easily be emptied. I thought I would share a few photos. Before and After.

 

[Rick D]

I did exactly the same thing on my Hunter 40.5 about ten years ago. No issues since.

 

[SG]

How much water gets into the boat through the hose? Does it vary by the RPM or just the time the engine is running?

 

[Gunni]

How much water gets into the boat through the hose? Does it vary by the RPM or just the time the engine is running?

A pint maybe. But it is in the bilge not running down your engine. Nice upgrade.

 

[SG]

Assuming the vent is clean, If you raise the vented loop up a foot or do, wouldn't it work without the dribbling?

 

[Gunni]

Assuming the vent is clean, If you raise the vented loop up a foot or do, wouldn't it work without the dribbling?

No head space.

 

[SG]

Looks like there is s good foot above in the picture

 

[Tom J]

Looks like there is s good foot above in the picture

That's with the stairs folded forward. When they swing back, they are tight to the vented loop.

 

[SG]

Ahh, crushing response explains it ;^)))

 

[NYSail]

I have the same Vetus siphon break. I added a plastic water bottle at the end of he hose. Works perfect.

 

[Maine Sail]

The siphon breaks I install for engines are made by Scot Pump Co.. Never had a leak or failure and also easy to clean..

Please be aware that Vetus has two types. One with a vacuum breaker and one without. The ones without are designed to discharge outside the vessel, not inside. A “cup” may not be sufficient on this type as they are designed to continually expel water.

 

[Ron20324]

A question, please... I just had my mixer elbow replaced. The technician replaced the two hoses that go to the Vetus vent mounted on the bulkhead under the steps and above the engine. I'm billed 87$ for the vent that he broke when doing the hoses, I guess. I was not there when this happened. Should I be billed?

 

[kloudie1]

He'll tell ya (maybe truthfully) that it was already broken.. I don't think you have any recourse..

 

[Gunni]

It was time Ron, plastic don’t last forever!

 

[CaptKimble]

This one has the vacuum break. It only vents on start up or shut down. I captured what came out after 10 start and stop cycles and it barely made the paper towel in the bottom of the cup wet. I plan on mounting a plastic jar or something beneath it for a catch that will be easily removed to empty and clean. The problem with the mounting location is that with the stairs closed there is no room to move the loop higher especially after I added 2 inches of noise insulation. As an added precaution, the end of the hose should never be inside the catch bottle. If the bottle should fill up and cover the end of the hose there is a possibility that the siphon break may not work and your cylinders could fill with water. I read a post on a Catalina 380 site that told that tale of woe.