C-30 CB Aft Bilge running

[dbsea]

I’m really on a streak here - only 48 hours into this boat and I have a lot of questions!

I took the boat out for a spin on Lake WA this afternoon/evening, and upon return I shut everything down as normal. I noticed the aft bilge switch light was on, and thought maybe I hit the toggle accidentally when figuring out where the wiper switch was. Nope. Went back and opened the engine compartment and the pump was running. Didn’t appear to be much water in there, and it was gurgling as if it was running out of water to pump. It ran for probably two minutes, then turned off. Is it normal for it to run after you use the boat? Is this something to do with the drip of the stuffing box? Something else? I’m a rookie with direct drive, my last boat had I/o’s. Wondering how much to panic? <gulp>

 

[The lyons den]

Over the past 20 years around the docks. A stuck float switch on the bilge pump is usually the culprit. Sometimes they dry out, get surrounded with debris or simply fail due to age. This is an easy fix or replacement. The real problem occurs when the switch stays on and you completely drain your house batteries.
My new r23 came with timer bilge pumps and my first impression is favorable as there are less moving parts to fail. However it might be too early to make any assumptions.

 

[Mastercraft]

I had a bilge pump that was stuck on too. I have a 2017 R29 with a Johnson pump. I think there was debris stuck in the float. The problem was fixed by “pressure washing” the pump with the sea water wash down.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi all,

Not sure what pump you have in your boat, dbsea, but the Johnson pumps (orange with black) that we installed did not have a "float" switch. They have the black square sensor switches that are mounted at the top side of the pumps. These can stay on longer if they are triggered by not being cleaned occasionally. If they have the chance to build up an oily and dirt film, this will cause them to turn on. Just make sure to keep those switches clean, and they should work properly. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf