Beneteau Moorings 38 Bilge Questions

[mbsh...@bellsouth.net]

Fellow Sailors:

 

Having a couple of issues with my 1990 Beneteau Moorings 38’s bilge.

 

First the strainer on at least one and perhaps both of the bilge pump pickups has packed it in.  Given the very narrow trough below the saloon table where the pickups live, it’s hard to find a decent replacement strainer that will fit (the Perko’s and Groco’s are worth my youngest crewmember’s left arm and the Whale is too long to accommodate the two strainers and the actuator for the automatic bilge pump).  I think (always dangerous) that the Bosworth series is what I need.  I’m considering the Sea-Lect Strainer HS-85 (https://www.thebosworthco.com/specpages/ps-hs-85.pdf), but am unsure of the hose diameter (is it 1 ½” smooth??).  I don’t think the HS-84 series will work as that maxes out at 1 ¼” smooth and I’m working from memory, but without Ward being available I’m hard pressed to confirm.

 

Second, the primary (automatic) bilge pump is not working.  I’ve separated the small bore clear hose from the “diving bell” actuator and blown hard into the hose with no results.  That suggests that the primary pump has failed although I’ve not pulled the “pots and pans” locker apart to check the pump itself.  Does anyone know what type of bilge pumps Beneteau used on the 38s?  After all these years (she’s 31) and having replaced the pumps only once before it might be time to replace them both.

 

Thanks as always for your advice.

 

Mike

Michael B. Shapiro

S/V My Funny Valentine

Beneteau Moorings 38
Lake Lanier, Georgia

mbsh...@bellsouth.net

 

[Uwe Mewes]

Confirm that the impeller is still moving free! Next, I would start with verifying 12VDC at the pump. 

--
Largest Beneteau group, over **1121
** members and growing.
 
To post to this group, send email to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Beneteau-Owne...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Beneteau-Owners
contact denny.we...@gmail.com, or ume...@comcast.net if you have a list management question
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Beneteau Owners" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to beneteau-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/beneteau-owners/009a01d74067%240e1dc480%242a594d80%24%40bellsouth.net.

[pgsealevel]

Mike, 

    You may just need to rebuild the pump valves.  The motor might be okay.  In my 1991 M38 the three pumps under the pots and pans storage are made by Jabsco.  Model number is 37202.    They are diaphragm pumps.  Two are for the bilge and one for the forward head shower sump.   The main bilge pump was running very slowly and pulling a lot of amps, so I pulled it out and tested it.    I found that the motor was actually okay but the drive shaft and linkage had a lot of gunk built up on it.  After cleaning and lubricating the drive shaft, it now runs normally.   I installed new valves in the pump (Jabsco "Major Service Kit") and put it back in the boat.  It's still running fine after two years.  

I put in a strainer similar in style to the one you linked to, but I had to use smaller ones.   My two electric bilge pump hoses (clear, like yours) are only 1/2 inch inside diameter.   The hoses are smooth.   Because there is not much space in the sump to arch the hoses into the sump, I put a 90 degree pvc fitting on the end of the hose then attached the strainer.    I did that with both electric bilge hoses and the manual pump hose as well.  The manual pump hose is a larger black hose but I don't have it's diameter. 

Cheers,

Paul G. 

S/V Bamboo 

Beneteau Moorings 38 

Gulfport, FL