water problem

[Jim Brand]

1986 Catalina, just purchased, took on water after powering for 7 hours. Bilge pump fuse was tripped. Bilge pump found to be operating properly after replacing fuse. Water seems to be coming into boat from discharge line of bilge. Using manual pump I found that water comes out of bilge pump. Can someone help me with information concerning whether there is some kind of check valve that may have become defective? Boat does not take on water when standing still.

 

[Richard]

several ideas

When I installed my electric bilge pump on my 27 I put in a one way valve int o the line so that I could use both pumps (electric or manual). Turns out it was not needed, but what the heck. You could put one in the line just past the manual bilge pump (easy access from the locker). The weird thing is if they used the same throughull for both that means the "T"ed the electric into the same line so it must climb up to the manual pump to exit. That should be plenty of height above the water line to keep any following seas from backing up. The only other possibilities were a siphon for some reason (possible) or you actually have another leak (prop shaft seal, rudder post, etc).Richard