CD25 Self Bailing

[designbug]

We've had a lot of rain here in Annapolis and I've noticed that my self bailing cockpit is not draining very well.

I stored the boat outside and uncovered last winter and believe that the self bailing drains may be clogged with debris, although I can't see or feel anything.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to clean or clear?

Thanks, Dick

[broadcreekboater]

Hi Dick,
I'm not sure what your problem is but I do know that Bob Potter of Easton, Md. had a similar problem and he had Quimby Marine increase the size to 1.5 inches. You may want to contact him.
Ken

[Sea Wolf]

Dick-

Can you back flush them from the outside with a water hose or pressurized air?

Are there screens or grilles on the inside to remove and inspect underneath?

Does your particular model have ball or flapper valves that can become stuck shut with debris and crud?

Joe.

[Anita Marie]

I have never come up with a positive way to stop the leakage from the cockpit into the bilge. I think that these hatches are a terrible design that C-Dory should have addressed awhile ago.
I was looking at the deck hatches on the Rosebourogh at EQ. The deck has these stainless hatches that look like a great design. I was wondering if we could find a local fabricator that could design those type hatches for our boats. If there was enough interest the cost could be reduced if enough were made.
Does anyone think this has any merit?

Fred

[Ron on Meander]

Fred,
It would be nice to have a dry bilge. I might be interested depending on where the price point for new hatches came in.
Ron

[journey on]

Those C-25 cockpit drains/scuppers aren't the best. Nevertheless they should drain (slowly.) Just make sure that nothing is blocking the drain hose. I check this by shoving a water hose a little way down the scupper, and then turning on the water. Leaves collect in the hose and block it. Also make sure that any back flow device (check valve, flap, etc,) isn't clogged. I yanked the check valves out of Journey On, and got a couple of wooden plugs to block the scuppers when water starts to flow in, such as when there are more than 2 people in the cockpit. That cockpit is right at sea level.

Boris

[thataway]

I am not sure if the Rosborough cocpit hatches are Stainless Steel or Aluminum alloy. I have seen a number of alloy hatches which have dogs and very good seals--water tight which are commercailly available. I do believe that they would be a definate improvement. The older boats did have a vent aft (necessary for bilge ventillation and the plastic tank??)--so that these are points of water entrance to the bilge if there is poor drainage from the scuppers. If you have to have custom hatches made, this would be a very expensive proposition--but to fit existing commercial hatches, the cost would be far better. All boat construction has a price poin in a competative marketplace.

[Anita Marie]

Bob, would you have any recommendations on where to search for commercial hatches. I think there is enough interest to pursue this.

Fred

[designbug]

Hi All,

This past weekend I was able to shove a hose with pretty good water pressure into each of the self bailing drains. They now appear to be working.

I also found another issue related to the water pressure pump but I will put this in a separate post.

Thanks for your replies, Dick

[JamesTXSD]

We had a hard pounding rain yesterday - over 3" in about an hour, with continuing rain through the evening. At one point when it let up a bit, I looked out at Wild Blue and saw a couple inches of water in the cockpit. I went out to the boat, knew that some of that water was leaking into the bilge, and checked the bilge pump... nothing. I bailed water from the cockpit to get it to the point I could open the inspection plate over the bilge pump and found that it was quite warm to the touch, but not functioning. The pump was working fine when I checked it a couple days ago. I am assuming some debris/crud got caught in the pump.

Anyone know if something got caught in the pump if I can back flush it, or is it totaled?

TIA.

Jim B.

[Tortuga]

Jim,

I've had similar instances when debris gets drawn into the pump -- causing the pump to stop pumping and get warm. I think it was most recently the RULE 1100.

I cleaned the debris out and the pump ran great. I've had several similar pumps over the years, and it seems like I was always able to clean them and get them running again with no apparent ill effect.

I would say clean it and if it works, just keep an eye on it.

Matt
"Tortuga"

[sportner]

It seems when I wiggled and pulled on the top of my pump it came apart revealing a screen that needed cleaning, once cleaned it was ready to go again.

I would be interested in a "working hatch" as well...

[JamesTXSD]

No doubt the storm blew a lot of crap into the cockpit... the scuppers were plugged, as well. A well placed sprayer on the hose cleaned those out pretty well. Had to go out in the boat and play today. Only 4 more days of boat play before she comes out.

I checked the screen on the bottom of the pump before heading out today - nothing nasty in there. I'll check into it more thoroughly and pull the pump tomorrow.

[marvin4239]

Jim I had a problem like you describe and I back flushed the pump with a garden hose in the discharge and it began working again.

[JamesTXSD]

The Rule 1100 is working fine again. It looked like silt in there; cleaned it out, flushed it, put the power to it, and it's working fine. So, the scuppers are scupping, the bilge pump is pumping... time to go out and spend the day on the water.