This bulletin board, hosted by the CDSOA, Inc., is the on-line meeting place for all Cape Dory owners and groups. We welcome everyone's questions, answers and comments about Cape Dory sailboat
Your problem could be as simple as a small particle lodged under one of the valves in the pump mechanism. I spent some time docked in the dirtest river in Georgia and had continous problems with particles getting into the mechanism and causing this condition. The lever being in the down position should cut off flooding from the water intake side. A bad joker valve usually manifests itself when you cant clear the bowl.
If disassembly of the mechanism shows nothing just get a rebuild kit.. or in the case of one of the cheap heads such as the W/C Headmate like mine.. buy the whole new head. Its a s....y job but someone has to do it.
I installed a filter on the head intake line as my final attempt to fix the problem. Leaving Georgia cured my problem for good.
And always close all seacocks when leaving the boat...
Happy flushing... Boyd
Jack Kelley wrote: After leaving CD 30 on mooring overnite. Returned to find head filled with water and some over flow on sole. Outside discharge was secure as well as intake for head. Small handle alongside pump piston rod doesn't seem to have any resistence when moving it from the "flush" to the "dry" position. After pumping the bowl dry you can see water seeping back in to the bowl slowly. Does the seal on the piston rod need replacing? And, what position if any should the small handle be left in? Any help would be appreciated.
Except for those cockpit drains. Don't close them!
Ken
Boyd wrote: Your problem could be as simple as a small particle lodged under one of the valves in the pump mechanism. I spent some time docked in the dirtest river in Georgia and had continous problems with particles getting into the mechanism and causing this condition. The lever being in the down position should cut off flooding from the water intake side. A bad joker valve usually manifests itself when you cant clear the bowl.
If disassembly of the mechanism shows nothing just get a rebuild kit.. or in the case of one of the cheap heads such as the W/C Headmate like mine.. buy the whole new head. Its a s....y job but someone has to do it.
I installed a filter on the head intake line as my final attempt to fix the problem. Leaving Georgia cured my problem for good.
And always close all seacocks when leaving the boat...
Happy flushing... Boyd
Jack Kelley wrote: After leaving CD 30 on mooring overnite. Returned to find head filled with water and some over flow on sole. Outside discharge was secure as well as intake for head. Small handle alongside pump piston rod doesn't seem to have any resistence when moving it from the "flush" to the "dry" position. After pumping the bowl dry you can see water seeping back in to the bowl slowly. Does the seal on the piston rod need replacing? And, what position if any should the small handle be left in? Any help would be appreciated.
The newer Groco heads have a spring pushing against the top valve in the "flush/dry bowl" selector arm area. The tech at Groco said to stretch this spring to twice its length and install it. That will help some with the seepage that fills the bowl. But, again, leave the select lever in "dry bowl" and the thru hull closed!
Dave, I'm the crew on RAGTIME who shouts to the Captain "red handle down!" I am happy to say that's the only shouting done while on board. I wondered if you have relatives in Massachusetts? An old friend of mine-Paul Stump-used to own a Cape Dory years ago. Are you related?
Sorry to say, but no, as far as I know I am not related to Paul Stump. Although it is a little of an unusual name, if you were in Pennsylvania, you would see a lot of "Stumps". It is Pennsylvania Dutch, Dutch and German extraction.