manual bilge pump problem

[jack Kelley]

Cape Dory 30-Has not been in the water for a year-After heavy rain attempted to use the manual bilge pump-diaphragm type located in the rear cockpit area-attached to lengthy flexible hose leading back to the bilge-hose opening is in the water but fails to respond to the action of the pump. Does this require priming since the pump has not been used in a while?

Thanks,

Jack Kelley

[Jim Walsh]

Possible causes include a blocked strum box, loose connections, a split hose, a split pump diaphragm, or the pump actuator arm has become disconnected. A little detective work is in order. Priming is not necessary.

[Bob Ohler]

Jack,

Priming is not necessary, but after 25 or more years, the pumps do require a rebuild kit which are available online. I am guessing that you have Whale Pump which I believe is now owned by Attwood.

Good luck and fair winds!

[Frenchy]

If you decide on a rebuild kit, be careful. The rubber valves on the kit offered don't match the older whale pumps. Best to compare
existing valves on your pump with the kit contents. Good luck - Jean

[Dick Kobayashi]

I found it was easier and not that much more expensive to put in a new pump. And at the same time I put in an electric pump (no float switch). Not that hard, not that expensive. Like the head - the repair kit was 50% the price of a new head, so I bought a new one and bolted it in. Saving labor is sometimes worth a modest price.