Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

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Most popular comments
for Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

Stephen Croot - 7 years ago

Oh alright, I'll pop over a fix it...

Mazda rx7 - 7 years ago

All pumps have a head rating, how high they can pump (head rating). They are also rated as self or nonself priming. You need a self priming pump with at least a 6 ft head. It wouldnt hurt to install a check valve after the pump.

VHO TECH - 7 years ago

From what I could see, that pump should lift a column of water 3/4" ID hose easily 10 feet. Make sure the pump is below the bottom of the shower pan so that it always has a prime. Perhaps once the pump looses it's prime, (shower pan getting empty) the discharge column of water runs back into the shower pan. Try installing a check valve on the discharge side of the pump.. Let us know how it worked out.

Doug Doty - 7 years ago

Your original PAR brand pump is vastly superior for this job, they never die with very little maintenance, fix what ever ailed it and re-install !! Obviously assuming all lines are clear !! Been there, boated for 52 years.

Bruce TheC - 7 years ago

Pump need to be a self priming type. Also add a float switch. Make sure it is high enough to leave the suction end of the hose in the water and add a check valve. If there is no float switch and just an on and off switch, add the float switch. Hope this helps. Cool vids.

Bunny Crayne - 7 years ago

Update on this problem?

Russ Kent - 7 years ago

clean or change or temporarily remove the filter :-)

william wallace - 7 years ago

Check to impeller on the pump. I'll beat you will find a ball of HAIR.

Ted Sherrin - 7 years ago

Dude, can you cut the music whilst your talking. It's really irritating trying to listen. Way too loud.

10. comment for Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

Tomcat CV62 - 7 years ago

I'm not sure if anyone told you to clean the suction filter yet, or if you've already done that. The filter on the suction side of the pump protects the pump when in service so that nothing gets pulled into it while in service. It requires constant preventive maintenance so that you keep it clean. Try this, disconnect the discharge hose, connect a longer hose and put it in a bucket. Turn on the pump and time how long it takes to pump a gallon or two. Then, disconnect the filter, pipe the suction of the drain pipe to the pump and time that. If it fills faster, you know your filter is bad. It's a positive displacement pump, it can pump air.....btw, i was in the navy and worked in an engine room on an aircraft carrier.....this is what I did.

Hugo Je - 7 years ago

To get those pipes off the fittings try to grab the pipe with some pliers and twist them. It should help, breaks the "seal" and might help to avoid taking a knife to it and risking some damage.

Pete fromtheIsland - 7 years ago

Pumps work better pushing liquids than sucking them!
Try installing the pump at the start of the line.

Mike Ferguson - 7 years ago

A Jabsco is not a cheap pump bob. The problem is different types of pumps are designed for different purposes.
You have pressure pumps
You have suction pumps
You have inline pumps for moving fluids

You need a pump the can push a reasonable head ( height the pump can lift water) and a reasonable volume. On my boat I on the one side have a standard bilge pump 500gph and float level that works well in a well like you have.

S/V Redemption - 7 years ago

You sure that filter isn't letting air in? A one way valve in the shower box would stop the water from reverse flow causing an air gap but it might clog with hair as well, so a strainer on the input side of the hose should help. A standard old sump pump is what we have in ours from 1988. It works well. A Rule 500gph with no filter. I clean it once or twice a year. Don't use it much.

Josef Roesler - 7 years ago

If you hadn't bought a cheap pump, you wouldn't be wondering if it's your cheap pump causing the problem. Buy cheap, buy twice.

Robert Applegate - 7 years ago

Bobby, the issues regarding the pump are that a centrifical pump must be primed and a positive displacement pump should prime itself. Lifting water to the outlet requires .433 PSI per ft of head (fresh water) just to raise the water so you only need to make 2 PSI to have water coming out. The check valve idea can help to keep a centrifical pump full to avoid priming but it also lowers the inlet pressure a bit more due to it's static pressure losses (resistance to flow). Another solution to priming a centrifical pump is to have a "flooded suction" condition at the pump inlet. This is achieved when the pump inlet is under some slight pressure such as when the pump is below the shower drain basin. Two things that I learned in power boating was to clean and check the bilge pumps before every run and to flush from the outlet side with dish water detergent and a garden hose periodically to clear debris. The soap reduced the friction in the dry outlet hose and made the system prime faster for longer periods of time. If you want to test the pump, take it out and put a couple feet of tubing on the inlet and about 4 on the outlet. Hold the whole thing vertical and power it up. Then you can determine whether it has any self priming capability. If not, lower the pump to determine whether it will prime with less suction head. I fought the bilge pump issue for 20 years and my thinking is that the inside of the pump and tubing gets a bit "sticky" when dry and without a good positive displacement pump, it is unpredictable whether the pump will prime itself and anything that reduces the suction head (inlet pressure) is going to make priming more difficult. Note: larger inlet tubing will reduce the pressure loss at the pump inlet.

Howie Rediske - 7 years ago

Those type of pumps are real finicky about the smallest air leak. Vacuum side that is. I. Would check all your fittings and seals.

rob379 - 7 years ago

You guys are excellent,

Darrell Allen - 7 years ago

Surflow pumps should not need any prime. Bad pump or sucking air on the suction side.

20. comment for Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

lastniceguy1 - 7 years ago

You have had a lot of great advice from all your fans. The only thing I can see that wasn't mentioned was to check that the the original pick up (the red intake) in the sump was not clogged, It also looks like it wouldn't drain any lower that the highest opening in it which is where the water level is shown. ( I assume that you scooped the water to that level before you shot the vid) but I'm sure you did that 1st. To me logic would dictate that you check filter 1st, then a hose from a pan of water direct to pump with discharge hose off will tell you if the pump is ok. If ok hook up discharge and see if it is pumping overboard. That way you know if it is pump or which side of pump is the problem. Not to likely but that red discharge hose could have an internal kink in it where it makes that circle. Do let us know. Just want to mention I found you from "Gandpa's Farm Goes Sailing" mentioning you. Thanks GrandPa

Ray Mayo - 7 years ago

We had a bilge pump(sucks in at the base) that sat in the sump and came on and off with a float switch. Do you have room?

Nigel Donald - 7 years ago

Pumping up hill is called head pressure so you can find calculations for pumps to handle that head pressure. Anything under 1500 L/H probably wont do it.

fishaholiclures - 7 years ago

Bobby, that looks like a Shurflo Quad diaphram pump from the quick look you gave us, They will self prime to 2-3 ft and will move water as well as air. 1 problem they did have was being a bit lack lustre in flow when the outlet was more than 4ft above the pump. Also try pulling the head cover off and look for crap stuck (bet there is hair caught in there) in the internal valve system, it happens a lot with those style of pumps. HOWEVER a check valve between the filter and the pump may improve things. Failing that I would consider swapping it out for a inline waste water pump which will move more water faster and cope with hair and human slime better that the Shurflo which was designed more for potable water delivery. Not sure how you would go getting one locally, but mail order might yield something like the Johnson Viking 16...16l/m at 3mt suction and 3 mt head, draws 8amp @12v.
Cheers Brad

Hendrik van dok - 7 years ago

Hi Bob,
Had the same problem a couple of times. Here is my findings: Clean the pump VERY thoroughly, make sure there is not one single hair left in there, clean the pumps membrane and put the thing back together again. Clean the filter and put some grease on the rubber seal and make SURE it's air-thight. Both will prevent the pump from sucking air. Since if the pump sucks air, (other than from the drain sump) it looses its vacuum and thus its sucking power. Your pump and the installation are powerful enough to do the job, so don't worry in that respect.

Larry Kramer - 7 years ago

What you did wrong about the drain was to have hairy crew aboard, so get rid of the dogs and the women and then spend your days staring at the drain, wishing you had someone to clog it up again. In other words, you did nothing wrong. Call a plumber and kiss your crew.

Chuck Rothy - 7 years ago

Clogged filter?

Trevor Lees - 7 years ago

pump should be rated for the "head" ie the height it needs to pump the water my thoughts

George - 7 years ago

Bobby since there are so many GREAT suggestions please follow up how it was finally fixed in a future video. I'm sure all the helpful viewers would greatly appreciate that, including me.
See ya next week. Fair winds buddy

Crawford White - 7 years ago

Fill the bottom of the shower full of water and turn on the pump and see what happens that will tell the story, if it empties quick then it is pumping faster than the supply water and then picking up air, cheers.

30. comment for Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

Crawford White - 7 years ago

Bobby the pump should be lower than the source and it may be pumping quicker than the shower is delivering water causing it to empty the pit and then suck air and not re prime, pumps can be pickle things just keep playing. cheers from Aus.

Matthew Burns - 7 years ago

Drain line looks kinda small.

Matthew Burns - 7 years ago

I know y'all probably hate it, but I enjoy maintenance Monday's videos.

Mark Bernier - 7 years ago

Good advise so far. To summarize, 1st, set intake right way up, 2, replace suction side tubing with reinforced tubing to prevent collapse. All of it, not just the bit by the filter 3 clear filter, replace element ensure air tight reassembly. 4 Use temp hose into a bucket to run fresh water through pump to ensure pump is ok. 5 reassemble and should be ok. Note, if you are using sea water in this system, even some of the time it is likely that soap plus salt is crystallizing in and may have damaged the pump. (see #4)
Two GPM pump is undersized but as shower is small should be ok. As you did not mention it, I am assuming that the pump is not overheating or popping breakers. This is where a DC ammeter could verify actual load. Good luck. Meghan will be happier clean. Happy Crew happy Captain.

Gypsy Tinker - 7 years ago

probably need to clean that pump out. the diaphragms and integral valves can get gunky. your little filter looks upside down too.

Jack neff - 7 years ago

I saw your live cast the other day it was okay. Concerning La Vagabond and their success I think goes mostly to the presence of Elana (sp). I'd bet a lot of money that most of their subscribers and guys enjoying her presence on cam. Your re right they diddnt sell out, you were right who could turn down a situation like that. Althought most of their videos were good it will be interesting how they fare when their videographer dose most of the production. Hand in there Bob...I'm a pilot too flew most every thing piper or cessna put out until I got to fly 737's for air south africa. At that time returning vietnam vets with beaucoup hours pretty much took all the aviation jobs both airline and general aviation...hence my move to south africa to continue flying. Flying the 737 (steam gauge) craft was fun c flying the gulfstream was more like flying a sportscar. Enough of all that...Later....Jack

Kelly Binkley - 7 years ago

Jack neff Easy mistake to make since the name does go both ways, not a big deal. Thanks for the kind comments about my daughter Megan, Jack. Thanks for watching their adventures.

Jack neff - 7 years ago

sORRY FOR THE MISTAKE. sHE MENTIONED SHE HAD A SISTER AND i MISTAKENLY THOUGHT "kelly" WAS GIRL. sEEIN AS IT CAN BE A GIRL OR BOYS NAME. yES mEGAN IS QUITE A STUNNER, GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR, AND PRETTY BRAVE TO BE CRUSING. tHOUGH BEING A FORMER CRUISER i DON'T THINK ITS THAT DANGEROUS. iT'S MORE UNCOMFORTABLE THAN DANGEROUS. sOMEONE ONCE SAID..."CRUSING IN A SAILBOAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE WAY TO TRAVEL 3RD CLASS....jACK

Kelly Binkley - 7 years ago

Jack neff I'm megan's father. Meg is my youngest of my two beautiful daughters and she is quite adventurous, animal/outdoors/sports loving and passionate about life person.

Jack neff - 7 years ago

Absolutely....if you notice on all these really successful sailing channels i.e. 14k suscribers plus all have great looking women with them. I'm not complaining who doesnt like to see a gal iin a bikini.. I assume you re Megans sister so whos click bait are you...LOL Jack

jhulmer - 7 years ago

Turn your strainer right side up. The bowl traps air the way you have it and causes an air lock. A flapper type back flow preventer will not clog like a check valve will. But may not be necessary.

jhulmer - 7 years ago

A check valve or back flow preventer is only needed if the pump is higher then the drain.

jhulmer - 7 years ago

Also the hose you used will collapse in a suction line. Use the reinforce hose like you took off to prevent collapse.

Richard Kaye - 7 years ago

Hi mate not the best pump for the job , I switched to a gulper pump and never looked back , hair and even just soap scum stops the normal pumps from working , don't ask me how soap scum does but it used to stop my shower pump every 3 months or so , the filters where clean and no blockages , it was just as if the soap scum air rated the blades around the pump and it would just not prime until I cleaned it. A gulper pump is a diafram pump and will pull all the hair and crap straight through it within reason.

Tony Arsenault - 7 years ago

Bobby I think a check valve should be installed before the filter. Make sure filter is clean bit probably was installed to keep hair and lost hair bands out of pump. This will keep Pump from losing prime. Also pump may just be defective so maybe test with suction line in a bucket of water. Good luck and keep us posted on what you find.

Marty Handley - 7 years ago

It's the air in the system preventing pump prime most likely, check the point of water to the pump suction, the p trap should help if there are no leaks....

Jack neff - 7 years ago

You should locate the pump closer to the shower sump thereby decreasing the length of pipe need to self prime the pump!

Travisfromoregon - 7 years ago

If you like what you see. :) Perfect timing. haha

Jonathan Contre - 7 years ago

Hey bob. Lots of good advice already. Agree that troubleshooting the pump should be next step and then lower mount. You can drain to bilge especially if you install a simple screen filter first to catch girl hair and dog hair. Best of luck to you!

Arthur - 7 years ago

Your pump is to small and you need a check valve close to the pump

Arthur - 7 years ago

Boat = Bust-Out-Another-Thousand

SV GITANA - 7 years ago

Did you check the filter to make sure it was screwed tight??

Glenn Gutshall - 7 years ago

dumb question... did you check the filter? Also, I think you want to have the pump at he lowest point between the output and your filter so that the back-flow from both sides, keeps the pump primed. Easy enough to test, unbolt the pump, lay it in the bottom of the locker & turn it on...

David Duncan - 7 years ago

Solar shower. Done! Mic drop. Next question?

All In Too - 7 years ago

Burp the pump. Pull the discharge hose off, run the pump till water comes out. Once flowing, reconnect the hose. Had this on an AC pump and worked like a charm. Cheers.

Bunk Stagner - 7 years ago

"Maintenance never stops, corrosion never sleeps." my experience of 7 years on SV Tire Swing a Westsail 42 but it is just the payback for the fun of sailing.

THEcanvasback - 7 years ago

Bob, the pump you are using is not meant for what your using it for. the slightest amount of soap crud, hank of hair, or harsh chemical cleaners will cause the check valves in it to malfunction or permanently damage them (harsh chemical cleaners damage the material). temporary fix is to remove the pump portion of the pump from the motor and clean the check valves. long term fix is to replace the pump with a pump built for that purpose. a whale diaphragm pump is what I would recommend replacing it with.

50. comment for Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

Mike, Rohan & Poppy - 7 years ago

Definitely install clear plastic pipe on outlet and see how far up the pipe water is pumped

jeff johnson - 7 years ago

We don't need no stinking shower's.....when all else fail's jump in the water just make sure you wash behind your ear's.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

ha we do that a lot actually and then just rinse in fresh water

Don Beckham - 7 years ago

Bobby, you are using the wrong pump for the job. That pump is a diaphragm pump designed for high pressure, low volume. This is why it's rated for only 2 GPM.... @ 20+PSI. It is self-priming up to 6 feet and has enough head pressure to reach the top of your mast. It has an internal switch that stops the motor at 30PSI. So, when you open the valve on your sink, the pressure drops and the pump comes on automatically. When you close the valve, the pressure rises to 30 PSI and the pump goes off. This type of pump has internal reed valves and any debris holding the reed valves open will prevent the pump from working. BTW: That's not a cheap pump. $100 is the going price for this type of pump and Shurflo is a market leader.

Verify the pump is working by dropping the intake hose (without the filter) in a pot of water and see if it sucks it out. Disconnect the output hose to eliminate the possibility that your output line is blocked. You should also be able to feel a little suction with your finger on the intake hose. If the pump is working, then check all the hoses are clear by blowing through them. I suspect the pump in not working... because of debris in the reed valves. You can take the pump apart to clean it, but it's still the wrong pump, so replace it. Keep it as a spare because your water supply pump will inevitably go out, and this pump is THAT PUMP.

As Grandpa mentioned, you should be using a shower pump box in the bilge, high volume - low pressure. But, it would appear that the boat was not designed and built with this in mind, so you should replace the diaphragm pump with an impeller pump. Don't forget to buy spare impellers.

Bilge pumps are centrifugal pumps and don't have surface friction, like that of impeller pumps so running them dry will not "eat them up". The only concern is overheating the motor and that can take days or weeks. I once had a bulge pump run dry all winter long (24x7) and it never failed. I heard it running when I went back months later to take the boat out of storage. Thank goodness for automatic battery chargers . LOL

berndog macneil - 7 years ago

why dont u hold the camera and let megan talk.

Sailing Wayward - 7 years ago

You could let the shower drain into the bilge and let the bilge pump discharge the water out of the boat. As long as you put a small screen on the pan drain in the shower the soapy water will keep the bilge a little cleaner and won't really add any real wear and tear on the bilge pump. Plus you can remove all the extra wiring, pump, and plumbing from the old setup. I've run that way for years with no issues. Cheers!

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+A Life Less Ordinary Afloat yeah that's probably what I will do... thanks!

Jim Hankins - 7 years ago

Bobby, take the lines and blow to make sure they are not clogged, 2. Make sure the filter is not clogged. 3. Just take a jug of water and see if the pump will suck it out. If lines are clean and filter. It's your pump.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

I did check the lines but they were clear. The pump does pump water. I think most people on here are right... wrong type of pump and should put the pump lower

calmistheway - 7 years ago

Oh Snap!!!! Here come the plumbers!

Bunny Crayne - 7 years ago

Try it without the filter on the suction side. If it pumps, there's to much resistance to flow on the suction side of the pump. Solution would be a filter with larger open area. Pump and hoses should be below the lowest water level, if possible. A check valve on the suction side would just make it worse.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

yeah I think I need to lower the pump... will help with the priming. thanks!

David Seely - 7 years ago

First, do not run the shower pan to the bilge. Second, lose the in-line strainer. Third, install a check valve after the intake screen. Fourth, I would go with a macerator pump. Lastly, do not mess with the discharge loop.

David Seely - 7 years ago

You will want to keep the hair and soap scum out of the bilge. Makes a nasty smelly mess and the last thing you want is to gum up your bilge pump.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

yeah I agree with that. Why is it a bad idea to run it to the bilge?

Jack Moody - 7 years ago

I have no idea how to fix this, but I would like for you to tell us how when you get it fixed!

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

will do... I'm going to try lowering the pump first

David Hoover - 7 years ago

Try a check valve in the pick up line before the pump. Shurflo part number 340-001 should work. Check your fresh water pick up for the same type valve. A check valve or foot valve prevents the pump from having to prime every time it runs.

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

Wait! What? Sell the boat for an RV? When did this happen Bob? I've lost this topic line somewhere or was it only for your patreons?

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

No pressure sir, just keep it in mind.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

yeah that would be great! I am planning to make it to san diego. I have several friends there.

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

Well that sounds great. IF you end up anywhere near San Diego we would love to give you a break from the coach and crash at our home in Fallbrook. No hook ups but plenty of room to park the coach. Yard is fenced so the boys could run about.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

Well I bought the RV for burningman and keep it in nevada... so we will go to burningman and then cruise the southwest and perhaps the west coast. The boys will definitely be coming along (minus burningman). not sure about megan. that is up to her.

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

Yikes, I understand. My late folks had a series of older RV's with the same or similar drive trains. What area's are u planning on seeing? This is a beautiful country with so much to see. Will you be traveling with just The Boys or is Megan coming along? No matter what, I look forward to seeing those adventures too.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

it has a 454 but the problem is the transmisson. It was built when the speed limit was 55. so its only a 3 speed and tops out at about 65. not to mention 7gph!

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

That is a pretty good coach, even at that age. Should be comfortable and, depending on its lenght and power, should be good.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

my only other asset (if you can call it that) besides the boat is a 1983 holiday rambler imperial 33. I bought it for $4,000 about 3 years ago.... so that is the one i will use. I will post a picture of it on our instagram and facebook hopefully later.... both are @sailingdoodles

Edward Grant - 7 years ago

OK, getting away because of hurricane season is a very smart move! Will u b getting a trailer or a Class A RV?

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Edward Grant no we talked about it at the live chat. It will only be a temporary Rv trip while waiting for hurricane season to pass. August-November. Then hopefully buying a bigger boat for more crew to cross the pacific

pkav8tor - 7 years ago

Buy a self contained bilge pump, a small one ( the style that you throw into the bilge and it only has a line out). Put that in the shower catch basin, run the out line thru the holes that had the suction line to your old discharge line. Also will have to extend your power into the catch basin thru the same openings to power the bilge pump. Simple fix and will always work because bilge pumps are designed to handle dirty water and gunk. If you can not find a bilge pump small enough to fit in the shower catch basin then replace the old pump with a 'self priming' pump. It is difficult to get decent suction on a 3/8 inch line, it requires a good pump. regards/greg

pkav8tor - 7 years ago

Sailing Doodles I had one no bigger than your fist in a 19- foot ski boat. Thought that might have fit. Good luck

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

there is not enough room in the shower pan for that type of pump our i would definitely do that

Larry Sharp - 7 years ago

Check the filter, and than check the impellor on the pump.

Pfsif - 7 years ago

Cheap is always too expensive.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Pfsif true!

Karl Fair - 7 years ago

That is a diaphragm pump is should handle the head pressure. It's not made to pump dirty water. If one of the check valves isn't sealing from dirt or shower crud. the pump wont work. Try breaking down the pump and clean the check valves. When you can change the pump to one made to pump dirty water. Whale make a good one. Good luck.

Sailing Kayode - 7 years ago

pump is plenty strong just needs to be lower than shower sump.

Sailing Kayode - 7 years ago

S/V Della Jean your correct, thought it was an impeller, see my later comments.

Sailing Kayode - 7 years ago

Sailing Doodles a quick test of a diaphragm pump is to remove the discharge line and blow into the pump. If you can blow air into the pump it means there is debris or a hole in the diaphragm.

S/V Della Jean - 7 years ago

Keth it only needs to be lower if it isn't a self priming pump. Mine is above the shower pan and works fine.

Sailing Kayode - 7 years ago

Sailing Doodles also the most common reason a diaphragm pump fails is if there is debris stuck in one of the valves. Pull the pump and open the pump housing. It is quite simple. Just remember how it came apart, remove the debris and put it back together.

Sailing Kayode - 7 years ago

Sailing Doodles actually I was wrong. Thought that was an impeller pump but it is a diaphragm pump which is self priming. One thing I notice is that there is no check valve on the discharge line which is standard for a diaphragm pump especially since you have this plumbed near the deck.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

i will try that!

Rory Cogavin - 7 years ago

well on most boats I've been on the shower goes to the bilge and then bilge pump pumps it out. idk the construction on your boat (maybe there's something structural in the way).. but if there isn't, why not route the water into the bilge, one less pump to worry about breaking.

marineair100 - 7 years ago

The suction line is too long.....centrifugal pumps push not suck...... a short suction line will solve your problem also the inline filter should not create any headloss the filter should be upstream of the suction line (in the shower)

34 Hatt - 7 years ago

Wrong pump get a Whale Gulper pump well worth the money and you don't even need that little strainer that must clog all the time.
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Whale-Gulper-320-High-Capacity-Waste-Bilge-Pump-p/whabp2052.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjw2qzHBRChloWxgoXDpyASJAB01Io0fHlfuCimqhnNIjj2Dog6d3S7owSiwIAzOhBm95cKNxoC1u3w_wcB&ppcstrkid=1565162769&click=19&ppcsclkid=JbUflBTON9E7&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqeniramsegdoh

John Stevenson - 7 years ago

The snorkeling looks AWESOME :)

John Stevenson - 7 years ago

I love your videos and always look forward to them

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

there will be more soon!

Lankster Price - 7 years ago

You have a Shurflo Aqua King II - =>>is a Fresh water pump, not a waste water pump...
>Self-Priming up to 6 Feet
>Dry Run Capability
>PSI=55
>The fresh water automatic demand pump is quiet, thermally protected and can run dry without damage.

Your pump should be doing the job...

I wouldn't us this type its more for fresh water from what Im reading. Do check on the model you have. If its waist or fresh.

Check the specs out on this pump...
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/Whale-Gulper-220-Grey-Waste-Pump-12v-p/whabp1552.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjw2qzHBRChloWxgoXDpyASJAB01Io0_j8lUv2eQFwsrh60d-5BG7cdIou-9zI0ystHUg41wxoCuYTw_wcB&ppcstrkid=1565162769&click=19&ppcsclkid=3gXIrcJkHStG&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqeniramsegdoh

Gulper valve technoloogy handles shower waste such as hair and gel.
No clog, no filter waste pump built on more than a decade of market leading pump technology.

(Specs at the bottom of that page... This is more what you need.. )

Sailing On Grace - 7 years ago

pull the pump and measure head. hold discharge hose up in air at the height it would normally have to push. good luck mate.

wayne peters - 7 years ago

Bob usually your intake has to be larger than your discharge. Looks like the suction hose is smaller than the discharge hose. Should be the other way around to keep the pump primed

Steve Crombie - 7 years ago

Meghan has really gotten the hang on snorkeling after her first failed attempts.

Brandon Evans - 7 years ago

pump & dump is the first thing that comes to mind... not so much helpful as it is funny... beers up!

Ted Miller - 7 years ago

I saw a big pretty fish wearing a blue two piece.. LOL good Video Guys

Hugo Sabato - 7 years ago

With stuff like that, I usually have an extra pump on hand as a spare. If shit goes wrong I can swap out pumps real quick and eliminate that possibility. You should have a check valve also to keep the pump primed.

Scott Loch - 7 years ago

I'm not sure it would be worth the space in your boat, but I always use a heat gun to soften up the hoses and they usually come right off when doing work like this. Megans hair dryer would even help (if she has one on board)

boernie77 - 7 years ago

sorry, i had no ideo for your problem...Maybe you should buy a better/stronger pump! And next time, please more time in the video for megan...:-) She is really special! Damn! What a beautiful women with a great charisma...

Megan Binkley - 7 years ago

boernie77 :)

Bourne Free - 7 years ago

I blv the pump should have an internal check valve but if it was the cheapest pump you could find then it is quite possible that the pump has lost some power and can no longer perform the job you want it to perform. Living aboard is putting a lot of cycles on that pump I'm sure.

Allyn Onderdonk - 7 years ago

Mounting the pump lower will increase the head pressure...ie the pressure to move the water up and out of the boat...six inches probably not an issue. If the pump isn't weak then there is likely a priming issue. I have a well booster pump on my house from a water storage tank, and it had numerous problems until I did a few things. Number one I installed a foot valve. Well this will not work for you because the stuff from a shower will keep the valve from sealing eventually. It is the same as a check valve except it is at the end of the pipe on the water inlet side. This prevents the pipe from discharging all the water in it. This is bad, because the pump will lose it's prime. It has to have water in it in order to move water. I would mount the pump lower, and make sure that all the water in the pipe will move down assisted by gravity. You may have to put in a few more clips in in order to do this. A gentle slope at least and eighth of a bubble on a level as they say in the plumbing business...straight lines like a ramp going downhill. Do not put in a ubend it will create additional problems. It will make goo build up and not allow water to pass at the bottom of the bend, and not allow air to float up on the pump side and out for priming. The pump is a diaphragm pump so that it will move the goo as well. An impeller pump could be fouled by goo a little bit more likely. This should ensure that the pump has water to move. If there is some air and water together it should still probably get the job done. You want the shower basin to fill the hose and the hose should discharge air into the basin as the water drains in all the way to the pump so that it can fill with water. If the air doesn't move the water won't either. The water will replace the air in the hose as the air escapes or is pumped overboard if it drains in basically straight lines down to the pump. The hose in the basin may go up slightly exiting into the bilge. There may be a restriction on the discharge side. I would snake that if I could, as well as the inlet. Hard water and goo can build up on the discharge side and scale over at some point up the pipe where the water level tends to end up after a shower in the discharge hose. I'd soak the filter in some diesel fuel, rinse, and then some Calcium/Lime Eater stuff like CLR, then pressure wash somehow. If it is a metal one and can take it. It might just be plugged up on the inside. If they are cheap get a new one. Disconnect the discharge and see if it pumps...if it doesn't and there is water on the inlet side it has to be the filter. Try it without the filter on the inlet side. You probably need the filter, but your filter is the most likely subject part to be the problem other than a diaphragm problem on the pump. The filter might look clean but just isn't on the inside. Also the filter/strainer housing may have an inlet side and an outlet side...it also looks like it might be installed upside down...air might lock in the clear filter/strainer cup. Jabsoc strainers do usually mount the way you have it with the cup up. Oh a 2 gpm pump is the standard flow rate for water saving shower heads in a residential application.

Carl Brooke - Sailor, Diver, Youtuber and Realtor - 7 years ago

Going cheap is not the way.

Install a check valve. It will prevent the water to back flow causing the air gap. Still that pump should be able to pull enough "head". Head in pumps refers to the pull required to fee water to the pump.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/bosworth--sea-lect-in-line-check-valves--P011_332_003_515?recordNum=6

Easy and cheap way to fix issue. However the proper way is.......

Typically showers drain into a shower pump box that maintains a amount of grey water. It also contains the float switch that stops the pump from overworking and burning out. Something like this.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-industries--shower-sump-system--P011_331_001_508

Can you find a place in the bilge for one of these and gravity flow the shower to it? It is the best way to handle the shower plumbing. Otherwise you are constantly running the shower pump dry. That will eat it up quickly. Notice even the smallest shower sump uses a 800GPH pump. That's 13.33 Gallons per minute.

Bob, Over the years (decades) I have seen a lot of cruising/sailing channels. It sounds to me like your are going to quit sailing and go RVing this summer. I think that is a mistake. You will lose the audience and momentum you have built. Sail south to avoid the hurricanes or head to the med. This would give great content and a lot of credibility as a sailor. Or simply sail up along the east coast and spend the summer in Maine. Lots of great places up there to hide from storms. Lots of great opportunities to meet and greet with fans. (reads- more fund raising opportunities). Then head south again in the winter.

Either way, take a lesson from past cruisers. There was a channel called "Bumfuzzle". They documented all the work they had to do to their crappy catamaran. They bitched about everything and documented how they fixed everything the cheapest way possible. Pat and Ally, got to be fairly well known in the cruising /sailing circles due to their errors. It was like watching a slow moving train wreck. Anyway the reason I bring this up is, it cost them dearly when they tried to sell the catamaran. Everyone knew all the stupid things they did to it and so no one wanted to buy it once they were finished with it. It cost them 10's of thousands of dollars. On the other hand the cruising couple aboard "Indigo Moon" also documented all their hard work and expert repairs they did to their Lagoon 39 Catamaran and they were able to sell it for a premium. Be careful about what you show and your approach. Always better to think long term. N"est-ce Pas?

Carl Brooke - Sailor, Diver, Youtuber and Realtor - 7 years ago

Wayward I think he was referring that he would be RV'n. lots of RV'rs go to Burning Man. Not my cup of tea. You are correct it is not a sailing destination. nor applicable to cruisers.

Sailing On Grace - 7 years ago

Kenneth Parker sailors do burning man....???? wouldn't be caught dead there with that lot of land lubbing , most high rebelling horde.

Kenneth Parker - 7 years ago

I'm guessing you will be going to Burning Man so you can integrate that into your "video stream" as a bridge to getting back to sailing. By the way, what is your "playa name"?

Carl Brooke - Sailor, Diver, Youtuber and Realtor - 7 years ago

Lets hope. Will Megan be with you for the RV stuff?

Carl Brooke - Sailor, Diver, Youtuber and Realtor - 7 years ago

Hay you get your head anyway you wish. Lol

PoorWeekend Sailing - 7 years ago

good info but only half correct. the term Head is the height vertically that a pump can pump to but suction height can change the total head of a pump

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Grandpa's Farm Goes Sailing this are some great ideas. Thank you very much. The boat stays pretty dry so the water in the Bolshevik just sits there for a very long time and get a little gross. Wouldn't be a bad idea to route the shower water to the bilge just to keep the bilge water moving regularly. Yeah I understand about the Rv stuff. I think we will only do it just this one season and hope we don't lose too many people but the USA is the best place to sell this boat and I have the dogs to consider. By august we should be a month to a month and a half ahead of the footage we release so it will only be 5-6 episodes of Rv stuff.

S/V Della Jean - 7 years ago

Need an idea of what you have first-
Hoses look old. Any evidence of pinholes in them? How does hose connect to shower pan? Check drain line from shower pan to filter before the pump. Is there a check valve? If so is it clogged? Is filter clean and water flows through drain line freely from shower pan? Is the pump self priming? It needs to be. What does the pump discharge hose connect to? I'll follow up on your answers.

paul lapper - 7 years ago

Check valve

Juan Nuñez - 7 years ago

That one legged duck has come song way, wouldnt you say Capt. Bob?

Robert Garbe - 7 years ago

Sailing Doodles hh

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Juan Nuñez absolutely! She is much better now

kevin mclennan - 7 years ago

the pump should have a "head rating", which specifies its ability to pump water so many vertical feet up..... your discharge point maybe yo high and the pump just isn't powerful enough...... also the pump location should be below the level of the floor drain, this will allow it to always be primed once water is in the system..... and then there should also be a check valve to stop the water from drain back through the system once the pump is turned off, depending on how high the left is you may end up with water back in the shower pan without a check valve

kevin mclennan - 7 years ago

a check valve will also help considerably because it will not allow the system to drain back as well.... but if you can get the pump lower then the drain it will not be necessary to put the check valve in

kevin mclennan - 7 years ago

ok... that is no lift at all.... pump will have np problem with that..... just get the pump as low as possible and it will always self prime
there is no point in a p-trap.... that is just designed to keep sewage gas from entering the cabin.... yours should just be going into grey water holding or directly overboard

kevin mclennan - 7 years ago

and also check the filter as it may be restricting flow

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+kevin mclennan the pump is probably 2 ft above the shower Pam and another 2 ft to the output

kevin mclennan - 7 years ago

how high is the lift?

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+kevin mclennan ok I will lower the pump as much as possibly. Not sure I can get it below the shower pan. But will take a look

Glenn - 7 years ago

Excellent underwater pics, so vivid, and Megan looks like she's getting much better with her snorkeling! My best guess is you need a stronger pump. Really enjoyed the live chat yesterday afternoon!

Scott Loch - 7 years ago

Where is the live chat? I haven't been able to find them for the last 2 weeks.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Travelin' Man thanks for being at the live chat... they are a lot of fun

Mike Heaton - 7 years ago

Really enjoyed the live stream yesterday and appreciate your interaction with us followers. The maintenance Monday postings are great and will never run out of projects to film. Many good recommendations below. Cheers.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Mike Heaton haha yeah a boat only stops needing work when it sinks! Thanks for being at the live chat!

bubba - 7 years ago

Remove exit hose. Install temporary test exit hose. Try pump with exit hose at different elevations to se what pump can handle.

Ted Fryman - 7 years ago

Did it ever work correctly? What has changed? Maybe you need a check valve to prevent back-siphon of air into the pump?

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Ted Fryman the old pump quit... so the pump is the only thing that changed

Chris Foote - 7 years ago

Hi Bobby, we really enjoy yr vids
I think yr pump is good enough but it needs continous. prime so needs to be below the shower sump level. Can you mount it lower with a down hill pipe run from the sump? From what I can see it looks like a diaphragm pump so won't let the water in the overboard pipe back in so P trap is not needed

Nathan Hale - 7 years ago

Chris Foote I was about to say the same thing, drop the pump Bobby.

Lankster Price - 7 years ago

The pump has the power to pull up to 10 feet of dry line and pull water to it. It also has the power to push the last 3 feet...

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Chris Foote yeah I will try and mount it lower.

Paul Bevan - 7 years ago

A quick look at the specs for a SHURFLO AQUA KING™ II Jr 2.0 state that it can dry prime at 6 feet which means that the pump inlet can be up to 6 feet below the pump. If that is the pump you installed it should be able to discharge at around 2 gpm with a discharge height of around 6 feet above the pump. It looks like the pump connections are only 1/2" which seems way to small for the application. A small amount of hair could foul the impeller.

Lankster Price - 7 years ago

It looks to be a fresh water pump and not a waste water pump. I would change the pump

Paul Bevan - 7 years ago

I took another look at the specs and it looks like some kind of peristaltic pump so no impeller. Disconnect the hose between the filter and the pump at the filter side and drop the hose end in a container of clean water. Run the pump and see what happens.
A quick search of SHURFLO AQUA KING™ II problems seems to show that the rubber diaphragms are extremely sensitive to even the smallest mineral particles.
Good luck with the trouble shooting, really enjoy watching your channel.

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Paul Bevan yeah I have taken it apart to check that but not clogs. There is no impeller, uses some kind of diaphrams

Mike Albanese - 7 years ago

Well disconnect the output hose and see if it pumps without any pressure on it.

Lankster Price - 7 years ago

Sound like a pump diaphragm is damage..

Sailing Doodles - 7 years ago

+Mike Albanese yeah good idwa

k2wo1 - 7 years ago

Bob, check the filter first. Maybe try it without the filter first to see what happens. Why a filter on a drain?

Stephen DeMocko - 7 years ago

I agree. Try without the filter.

carolina beacher - 7 years ago

maybe to keep stuff from entering the pump? i thought the same thing when i seen it hanging there.

hdave6109 - 7 years ago

What you did wrong? Bought a boat.

Dennis Scott Brown - 7 years ago

Hope you get that pump fixed/replaced sounds like you could really use a good shower lol. Have fun, be safe and sail on...

Patch - 7 years ago

I would suggest first to disconnect the discharge side of the pump- to see if it is pumping before anything further.
Disconnect run for a few seconds, if it flows-then attach a tube to the discharge side-
lift- the tube to 5' level- if water flows then you know the pump has enough lift capacity (head)-
if still no water flow, at all- then something is wrong with the diaphragm (clean it check for cracks and holes.
Next I would not use that type of tubing (name escapes me at the moment) because it tends to collapse on the vacuum side of pumps.
Patch

Stan Postyn - 7 years ago

Use a heat gun to remove the hoses. It will be your new best friend. Next make sure that the filter is not clogged up. Try to put a hose from the pump into a bucket of water to see if the pump is working. good luck let us know if you fixed your problem.

About Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday

The "Snorkeling the Indians at BVI & a Shower Pump Problem - Boat Maintenance Monday" video is part of the snorkelling, underwater, diving category, which contains similar videos like this one.