Forward bilge pump replacement in an '86 300 Weekender

[joenofish]

My wife and I have an '86 - 300 weekender that is in nice condition. The boat sits in genuine Gulf of Mexico water 100% of the time. Last week I went to our marina to service the engines, during the other systems inspection I discovered the two forward bilge pumps have given up. Could be float switch on one but the other has both a float and toggle switch and it does not run on man or float switch.

I am an average size guy and can not reach these pumps, if my arms were a bunch longer I would have a chance. Do I really have to pull the exhaust manifold off one or both engines to get in there?

At this point I'm thinking pull one manifold or call a marine service to perform this repair.

Has anyone been in my shoes? The old boat is not leaking but cannot leave her slip unless all systems are functional. Cant run around on one pump!

Thanks in advance,

Joe in St. Pete

 

[Tritone]

Glad you asked because I have an unreliable float switch in the forward bilge too. I have no idea how I will get down there! Perhaps taking out the batteries would give you enough room to lie down and contort yourself? I am average sized but I don't think that would help get me down there.

My wife and I have an '86 - 300 weekender that is in nice condition. The boat sits in genuine Gulf of Mexico water 100% of the time. Last week I went to our marina to service the engines, during the other systems inspection I discovered the two forward bilge pumps have given up. Could be float switch on one but the other has both a float and toggle switch and it does not run on man or float switch.

I am an average size guy and can not reach these pumps, if my arms were a bunch longer I would have a chance. Do I really have to pull the exhaust manifold off one or both engines to get in there?

At this point I'm thinking pull one manifold or call a marine service to perform this repair.

Has anyone been in my shoes? The old boat is not leaking but cannot leave her slip unless all systems are functional. Cant run around on one pump!

Thanks in advance,

Joe in St. Pete

 

[Crave1957]

Hello,

Not sure if this will help. But, I have a 1984 SR DA with twin v8s and I thought about how to install an automatic bilge(which the boat lacked) in the stern at the low point for months. There was only one current pump forward of the engines. I found a pump with a flat surface top and bottom. Then I had Tap Plastic cut a piece of acrylic and screwed the pump to it. Next, I epoxied another piece of acrylic/like material to the top with a piece of PVC tube epoxied to the other side. That way I could prefit the wiring and bilge tubing and lower it into the bilge. I filled the tube with gravel for weight and capped it. Then I tied it off at the top with zip ties. Should make service easy as well ....just pick it up.

Mike

 

[JVM225]

There are two bilge pumps in the engine room of my Sundancer. The one in the rear is just inside of where the plug goes at the lowest point of the bilge. It is on a float switch and also runs on manual with the flick of a toggle switch at the helm. It is labeled as "Aft Bilge Pump". No other way to get to it other than pulling exhaust manifolds.
The second one down there is an "emergency bilge pump" that sits between the motors higher up and a little bit forward. It operates off of a float switch only and a very load alarm sounds when it is activated. It is a little easier to get to that one and can be done with the manifolds on.
What is labeled as a forward bilge pump on my boat is located under the cushions in the aft berth. That one has a float switch and a toggle at the helm too.

 

[joenofish]

Thanks for the help!

I do my best not to ask dumb questions, it is my opion that the bilge pumps should not be that difficult to change / service.

I believe I will follow Mikes' lead on this (make the forward pump easy to change). I can get to the pump and switch that are just forward of the batteries however I cannot get to the pump forward of that one (our AC dumps condensate into that area, if things went horribly wrong, sea water could also occupy that area).

Our old Sea Ray spends 100% of the time in sea water, it is due this spring to have the manifolds and risers replaced, I'll replace the pumps and switches at the same time in the next week or so (and service the heat exchangers as well), also perform a little design change to make life a little easier regarding the forward pump.

There is also a pump in the aft area af the bilge, I have never looked at it however I know it's there (burried soemwhere near the genny), it gets a work out when our shaft seals get tired (just replaced them, rear pump is on vaycay right now), should I swap it at the same time?

Best Regards,

Joe in St. Pete

 

[andyr]

The Rule pumps have clips on the side. with a long screwdriver you should be able to push the clips which frees it from the base and lift it out. Helps to remove the engine hatch support bars. Problem is if the wires are secured with a clamp you can't reach. I had a marine tech get my aft pump. The high water I was able to reach.

 

[Pack66Dad]

My mechanic replaces them for $40.00 ea. (labor), not worth the agony to do it myself.