Bilge Pump Operation

[Casey]

We have an '03 with the midline bilge pump. Like others, it would kick-on every ten minutes or so just to see if there was water present. A safety item I suppose, but bothersome.

Given the heavy stern trim of most C-Dory's I don't think the midship location of the pump is a very good idea. In an emergency, we would be carrying a LOT of water before the pump ever started! I decided to install a second, float activated pump aft, near the bilge plug. After that installation was complete I disabled the "automatic" feature of the Rule 1000(?). Disabling it was easier than I thought. As I recall, there are three wires for the pump (mine are located in the starboard lazarette). It was the brown wire that controlled the automatic feature. Remove the inline blade fuse, and presto, no more automatic (but the pump still works fine by the helm switch).

Regarding the water leaking from holes drill too deep on the keel - hopefully, that problem has been fixed (at the factory) on new boats. We bought "Naknek" back when that problem was being discovered. Les recommended NOT getting a brass keel strip, but installing a "KeelGuard" strip (heavy duty rubber in matching color...) along the keel. Fantastic idea! There are NO holes, the bow is now protected with a product that is actually mad to facilitate beaching! Very convenient for Lake Powell, etc.

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

[Jeff M]

Due to the feedback on the Rule 1100 with the timer, we switched to the rule 1100 with the built in float switch several months ago. For 2005 we also offer the aft bilge pump as a factory option. Thank you for all of your input.

Jeff

[Otter-BelleHavenMarina]

Thanks Jeff!

[rogerbum]

Just out of interest - for those of us who do have the "fully automatic" Rule 1100's AND who leave them switched on continuously (because we're moored or have to park faced downhill), how long has your's lasted? I replaced my first one after about 2 years and will be replacing the 2nd one after a similar period of time. This time I'm going with the one with the built in float switch both to avoid the every 5-10 min noise while sleeping and in the hopes that it lasts a little longer. Also, just a reminder to all to occasionally (like maybe every trip) test the bilge pump - especially those who travel with pets on board. I'm always cleaning pooch hair out of the strainer to keep the thing operating properly.

Finally, on reviewing the topic above about water in the cabin - I thought I'd mention my experience with "mystery water" on the floor. I too had occasional water on the floor and after re-sealing all the obvious areas, still didn't get rid of the problem. Eventually, I spent the evening on board in a heavy rain to trace the source down. I turned out to be the seal around the fill tube for the fresh water system. At rest in the rain, a small puddle gathers near the fill tube on the port side as there is a rise in the fiberglass there to keep water from running into the cockpit. If the fill tube isn't sealed properly, water runs inside behind the port/aft bench seat (where it can't be seen easily) and the trickles out from under the seat into the cabin floor.

Roger on the SeaDNA

[Sea Wolf]

Roger-

My "fully automatic" Rule bilge pump lasted just about the same amount of time-2 years- until the brain went dead. I then performed a "digital chip lobotomy" and removed the electronic brain and glued the cover back on and put it back to work as a manual back up.

The idea behind it sounds nice, until you find out it drives you crazy cycling on and off, day and night! Had to keep it turned off when aboard unless it was raining or underway. Wouldn't be any more irritating if it went "Coo-Coo" like the clock, or gave you the Woody Woodpecker Song every few minutes.

After a while, you want to hunt it down and kill it with the fish-knocker and throw it's dead body overboard after ripping out the wiring! Sorry Dr. Rule/Mr. Jabsco, you're Frankenstein Project met an untimely death!!! Joe.

[Alyssa Jean]

I had the same problems on the 2003 22. The constant cycling of the pump drove me crazy at night. Had the factory replace it with a float type and at the same time add one to the transom area.

[SeaSpray]

I found the Rule Mate 1100 'Spongeable' for $50 at 'CharkBait'. You have to go to the clearance section. Ordered on today to replace the factory one. I will move the factory on to the rear and set it up for just manual switch.
Steve

[Steven Dore]

My Rule 1100 lasted less than a year. It has started cycling every 10 seconds, which will drive you insane! I am planning to switch to a float switch style pump and give this one the deep six.

[Mighty Bite]

I had one of the Rule auto cycling bilge pumps on 2nd Byte and to eliminate the irritating cycling of the unit, I merely wired it to a lighted (so I could tell at a glance if it was on or off) toggle switch mounted inside the lazarette. When I didn't want to listen to flaming auto cycling, I shut it off, yet was still still able to leave it in its normal operational mode when I left the boat unattended.

[chucko]

Can anyone tell me if I can just re use the same blue plastic base? that would really be a quick fix.

[colobear]

I have used the same base when replacing like pump with like pump..Don't forget the debris screen.

[Sea Wolf]

I had one of those crazy pumps thatI couldn't stand, so I cut off the top 3/8" of the plastic housing, performed a lobotomy (removed the printed circuit that times the interval and detects the presence of water via the amperage load), and glued the top back on to complete the conversion to manual operation mode.

AAAHHH! Peace at Last! (Silence.)

Joe.

[hardee]