Thank you everyone for your thoughts - this has been very helpful. I am replacing my failing PAR bilge pump (which was 270 GPH) with the model recommended below. It is not a high volume pump (250 GPH max). But it has the advantage of being a diaphragm pump, fits all the current hoses & mountings, and is totally adequate for normal bilge duties.
Why am I looking at a second, larger pump? I know that bilge pumps are not for emergency water removal, but... a little help is nice. 1" hole 1' below water = 1,200 GPH. 3" hole 1' down = 10,620 GPH. I don't expect anything like that while docked, so my little 250 GPH "should hopefully" be fine there. While on the boat under way, I have a few options. When single handing, I can do bucket bailing (GPH?), use the manual Whale bilge pump (600 GPH), or my backup Beckson manual bilge pump (1,300 GPH). All are dedicated tasks... not good for single handing. I can do the good 'ol raw water intake engine trick (3,600 GPH at full throttle) but that has its issues. And the USCG can help with their pumps. I'd still feel better, underway, if I had something automated to back up 250 GPH capacity. The C270 bilge only allows for maybe a 1,100 GPH pump, requiring a separate thru-hull and switch. I haven't 100% decided, but I'll either install the 1,100 Rule pump (as suggested below). OR I'm thinking about just keeping a Rule 3700 on the boat in a locker with 15' of discharge hose and wiring and fuse that will reach the cigarette lighter on the panel. If something stupid happens, I can stick the pump wherever needed and let it run unattended as long as I have power. Here is a great article for anyone interested: http://www.passagemaker-digital.com/passagemaker/200904/?pg=78 Sean --- In [email protected], "mkeller23173" <mkel...@...> wrote: > > Hi Sean, > > I just bought a 2003 Cat 270 a few months ago and am in the same predicament > as you. I ended up replacing the original factory pump (which didn't really > work) with a slightly upgraded Jabsco (50880). I put a piece of wire mesh on > the hose on the bilge pump end to prevent sucking up any debris and replaced > the mechanical float switch with an electronic one and mounted that between > the keel bolts int he forward part of the bilge. > > I also bought a Rule 1100 submersible as a secondary and currently have it > wired up, mounted int he forward part of the bilge where there's just enough > space. I'm now trying to figure out where to run the hose and trying to > decide if I want to add a second thru hole or use a T connector somewhere and > use the existing thru hull. > > Mike > > > --- In [email protected], "Phil Agur" <pjagur@> wrote: > > > > Sean, > > > > > > > > That indeed is the factory bilge pump set-up. My only changes have been a > > strainer for the intake, a guarded electronic bilge switch, and a better > > quality of wiring workmanship including properly installed adhesive filled > > crimps. > > > > > > > > I'm not sure what you would do to let 2000 gallons an hour into a C270 but > > you might consider not placing the new pump actually in the bilge but tucked > > away at floor level instead. We had some excitement in '98(?) when the set > > screws on the PSS shaft seal showed up loose after 3000 miles of towing. The > > stock pump had no trouble keeping up. Even the carpet stayed dry since it > > was still folded up on the settee after being used as transport padding. A > > little Loctite has prevented a reoccurrence. > > > > > > > > Phil Agur > > <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip > > C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > > spkaldor > > Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 9:26 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [IC27A] Catalina 270 Bilge Pump > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Seeking your wisdom... > > > > I'm looking for advice from other C270 owners about how, where & why you set > > up your bilge pumps. > > > > Currently, I have a little 450 GPH PAR diaphragm pump. A float switch in the > > bilge activates the pump which pulls bilge water through a 1" hose, through > > the pump located under the port side of the aft cabin, and then through the > > hull - not sure if that was a factory set-up. > > > > I like having the primary pump has a diaphragm because it sucks the bilge > > nearly totally dry. But I am interested in a higher capacity secondary pump > > (2000 GPH or so). > > > > I'm looking for other owner's experiences as far as specifically where on > > the 270 you mounted your pump(s), if you found a brand/model that fits in > > the bilge itself, if you have had success with running a single centrifugal > > pump (e.g. Rule) instead of dual pumps, if you found it necessary to set up > > pumps for different compartmetns, etc. > > > > Any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks!! > > > > Sean > > >
