Hi guys. We have an old Sailfish 255 and the aft bilge pump isn’t working. Changed the fuse but it keeps blowing them. Do I need to take up the rear floor panel to access the pump?
Thanks
Thanks
Where is my bilge pump?
- Thread starter Old Sow
- Start date
It could be dead... or there could be something stuck in it. Try blasting it with a hose and then remove (from the bilge) whatever it was.
Is your bilge relatively clean? If not, and the reason for the current issue is that something is stuck in it, it's likely to happen again.
Is your bilge relatively clean? If not, and the reason for the current issue is that something is stuck in it, it's likely to happen again.
Just to cover all possibilities, I need to ask what fuse blew. Be clear about fuse versus breaker and where it was located.
The two big floor panels are over the main and auxiliary fuel tanks. There’s nothing else there. I’ll try and attach a photo of the boat. The bilge water goes out the port side so I’m guessing we’ll have to remove the battery and box to find the pump?
Does that model boat have a live well in front of the transom? If so, you will probably have to remove the live well, and dive in head first.
Stick a hose to the through hull on the outside of the boat, and listen for where the water runs into the bilge. That will be your pump location.
Stick a hose to the through hull on the outside of the boat, and listen for where the water runs into the bilge. That will be your pump location.
Last edited:
The fuse at the helm kept blowing, we put in a 10 instead of the seven and a half and it’s ok. But, the standby doesn’t work. Cleaned out some crap, lifted the switch and it worked. Might have to replace switch and/or pump to?
Putting in a bigger capacity fuse is usually a bad idea. I can't say for certain without knowing the make and model of the pump and maybe the gauge of wire that it uses. Nevertheless, the automatic bilge feature is not powered from the helm. If there is a switch for the bilge at the helm, it is for manual operation and is also connected to the accessory bus which is only powered when the battery switch is on.
The automatic feature on the other hand is powered directly from the battery ( or the line side of the battery switch) and by regulations has an inline fuse or breaker located pretty close to the batteries.
I am not sure what you mean by 'standby', the modes of operation are Automatic using a float switch) or manual commanded at the helm by a switch.
Note that if the bilge pump motor is stalled and can't turn, the fuse can blow or the motor can burn out. The pump could be bad or could be clogged.
The float switch could be bad and if I understand what you said, the pump ran when you lifted the float, then the float switch is working ( it still could be getting stuck), the fuse and wiring are working and the pump is probably OK.
I’ve got an ‘84 Sailfish and The aft bilge pump is in/below the motor well and is accessed through the 6” pressure fit access cap. See pics. Or you can remove the whole panel
Midship bilge pump is accessed under the step into the cabin. See pics.
wire your bilge pumps properly! They will save your boat. There are lots of good diagrams online.
Good luck.
Midship bilge pump is accessed under the step into the cabin. See pics.
wire your bilge pumps properly! They will save your boat. There are lots of good diagrams online.
Good luck.
