Owner`s manual

5-4
Section 5 Plumbing System
OS 385
Review and become familiar with the drain-
age schematic and location of the thru-hull
drain valves.
A situation requiring one or more drain
valves to be closed can be dangerous to
boat and all onboard. If this occurs, distrib-
ute PFD’s and take all necessary safety pre-
cautions, including notifying the Coast
Guard or local agency, until the problem is
determined and corrected.
Bilge Drainage
The bilge pumps are located in the stern
bilge and under the cabin sole. All bilge
pumps pump water out of thru-hulls located
above the waterline in the hull. A high water
bilge alarm monitors excessive bilge water
levels and signals a high water condition
through a visual and audible alarm. Under
this condition, the manual bilge pump will be
activated and the boat horn will sound until
the bilge water falls to a safe level. See Elec-
trical Systems for additional information on
bilge pump and high water bilge alarm oper-
ations.
Automatic Bilge Pump Switch
The aft bilge pump system consists of two
pumps, an electronic water level switch and
a high bilge water alarm system. The float
switch activates one pump that is fully auto-
matic. The other pump is the manual pump
and is controlled by the switch at the helm.
The forward pump has both automatic and
manual functions.
Current is supplied to the automatic float
switches whenever the batteries are con-
nected. The bilge pump switches in the helm
are supplied current when the house battery
switch is in the "ON" position. Breakers for
both the manual and the automatic functions
are located on the MDP.
The manual pump is connected to a high
bilge water alarm that operates from the
starboard engine battery. Should the house
battery become discharged or the automatic
bilge pump fail, high water in the bilge will
activate the alarm, then the manual bilge
pump will be activated and the boat's horn
will sound.
Activate the manual bilge pump briefly each
time the boat is used to ensure pumps are
operating properly. Activate the automatic
switch manually to verify operation by plac-
ing a wet rag across the sensor and mount-
ing bracket. There is a delay built into the
switch before the pump will activate. The
pump will continue to operate for a short
time after the rag is removed. Refer to the
Water Witch manufacturer's information
under "Plumbing" for more information..
Inspect the bilge area frequently for evi-
dence of excessive water. Continuous oper-
ation of the bilge pump can mean there is
excess water in the bilge. Test the bilge
pump at regular intervals. Debris can also
prevent the pump from operating or make it
operate continuously. Make sure no debris is
blocking the bilge pump float.
Bilge pumps and bilge pumping systems are
not designed for damage control. Continu-
ous operation of the bilge can mean a leak
or a drain plug is installed incorrectly; make
sure all drain plugs are installed.
Excess water in the bilge area will adversely
affect the handling and maneuverability of
the boat and can cause personal injury. DO
NOT allow the bilge pump to operate after all
the water has been cleared from the bilge
area. Damage to the pump will occur.