I recently purchased a 1985 32-3. The boat has two Rule 500 gph bilge pumps. One is in the shower bilge and one in the main bilge (the next bilge back). Both have check valves installed. The shower bilge gets a lot of water draining into it from the mast due to all the rain we get up here in the Northwest. My problem has been with the check valve. Shortly after I bought the boat the valve stuck in the open position and flattened the batteries. I replaced the batteries and the check valve. I bought the same kind of valve which is made of brass. This works ok as long as there is no water in the line. Once there is the pump seems unable to overcome the resitance. The pump in the main bilge doesn't seem to have the same problem.
I was wondering how other owners solve this problem? I've seen a lot of advice not to use check valves but the bilge pumps drain in the stern which is a long way away. It also appears, although I'm not sure, that this is how the boat was originally plumbed. Any advice would be appreciated.
I was wondering how other owners solve this problem? I've seen a lot of advice not to use check valves but the bilge pumps drain in the stern which is a long way away. It also appears, although I'm not sure, that this is how the boat was originally plumbed. Any advice would be appreciated.