Replacing manual bilge pump

[fredericgolden]

Anyone have any suggestions about replacing the manual bilge pump located on the rear bulkhead in the cockpit of my Cape Dory 30? The original was a Whale Gusher 8, which is no longer available. Is a similar pump available that might fit in the same screw holes. Thanks.

[Jim Walsh]

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?na ... &id=857343

A rebuild kit is available.

[fredericgolden]

Thanks, I may have to try that approach if the pump is still repairable.

[Joe Myerson]

Unless your Gusher 8 is somehow broken, the repair is relatively easy. Be sure to wash all the components of the pump in soapy fresh water, because there will be lots of gunk accumulated in the pump.

In the 25D at least, you MUST have a second pair of hands to help line up the screw holes. But the fix is well worth the effort.

Best of luck.

--Joe

[fredericgolden]

Good to know. I'd thought rebuilding the old pump would be pretty intimidating. Thanks. Fred

[fredericgolden]

Just to conclude this topic. Got the replacement parts for the Whale Gusher 8 but they didn't fit; so though the Cape Dory 30 manual says the boat was equipped with a Whale Gusher 8, it was apparently not. I'm now biting the bullet and replacing the old pump with Whale Urchin, which gets high marks from Practical Sailor.

[Gary H]

I went through the same process myself. I think the Whale rebuild kits are notorious for not containing the right parts.

[Skylark]

hum... i keep a kit on board just in case. guess i should check.

[Steve Laume]

When the Gusher 8 on Raven needed rebuilding, I had a hard time finding the right kit. I decided it was a good time to switch to something that I could easily get rebuild kits for and increase capacity at the same time. I went with a Whale Gusher 10. This thing is all metal and moves more water with easily available parts. The hole mounting pattern is slightly different but I was able to cover everything with the metal cover Whale has available.

I am very happy with this change and the knowledge that I should always be able to find parts for it, Steve.

[Joe Mac Phee]

My 1977 Cape Dory 30 ketch came with a whale gusher 10, which I had assumed was original. I rebuilt the whale gusher 10 a few years ago with a kit that I received from Defender and all parts were correct.

I subsequently replaced the original pump and now have an extra pump that is like new.

Joe Mac Phee

[jen1722terry]

I rebuilt and repaired the old Whale holding tank pump on our 31 a few years back. I can't recall the exact model, but I emailed a photo to the mfr. and they sent me a rebuild kit that works fine. On the repair side, the casing had a crack in the housing, so I took it apart, inserted the new parts from the rebuild kit and glued it back together with Marine Tex. It works great, but can never again be rebuilt.

When we had the new engine installed last spring, they also replaced the old Whale bilge pump with a new one. Not sure of the model, but the mounting screw holes line up fine. I now have the old bilge pump to rebuild this winter for a spare.

BTW, speaking of bilge pumps, Practical Sailor has an article this month on installing and maintaining electric bilge pumps.

Cheers!