Tackling Heat and Bilge Pump Repairs on Our Sailboat

Tackling Heat and Bilge Pump Repairs on Our Sailboat

Our sailboat, Gypsea, was safely secured in her temporary home in La Conner, Washington. As we began progressing with sailboat repairs for her, it was time to get serious about a list. At the top were the Tackling Heat and Bilge Pump Repairs.

We hadn’t planned to spend the winter in the Pacific Northwest, known for rain and snow. It is called ‘The Evergreen State‘ for a reason. We thought we were going to be on the oceans of the south, drinking Margaritas on sandy beaches, but wintering in Washington is what it became. And–then 2024 arrived, with blizzards, record-setting snowfall, and more. But, we were very happy that the money hemorrhaging had been stopped, and we were taking over our repairs–whether we had planned to or not. We had more control over our situation.

First, when the mercury plummets below ZERO, heat is a priority.

Gypsea was born in 1988 and came to us in her original attire. Her bootie sagged, and her bosoms, which were once perky and alive, had fallen. Crow’s feet laced her eyes, and her lips were etched in age. She needed love and restoration, and we are there to give her that much-deserved attention and rehabilitation. We started with her heat.

Importance of Having a Functioning Heat System on a Sailboat

Sailing is awesome, but it also exposes you to the elements. Cold nights on the water can be uncomfortable and even dangerous if you don’t have functioning heat. Our Gypsea was sitting in an ice-cold bath, and we were all freezing. Priority #1: HEAT!

Repairing the Heat System on our Sailboat

We have a Webasto Heating System on our Sceptre 41, and it is magic. It heats water and circulates it throughout.  The hot air is then blown off the radiators. This type of heating is very efficient, using hardly any diesel-(.13 gallons an hour) and the temperature remains consistent. No hot spots and no cold spots. It is also a dry heat, which is important, as a constant battle of life on a boat is condensation, dampness, and water. 

Webasto is so effective and hot that I name him Tabasco, a moniker that has stuck.

After troubleshooting, Chris determined that the heater pump needed to be replaced. For about $375.00, he purchased a new pump and installed it himself. We had heat.

Another huge benefit of Tabasco is that it preheats the engine. No cold starts for her little heart.

We also have a diesel heater, whom I have named Chalula–the cousin of Tabasco. She is fabulous, adding ambiance, grace, cozy vibes, and elegance; basically your Reese Witherspoon of heaters. She is a little tricky; you have to pour diesel into a pan that is not easily accessible, light it, wait, and hope she catches it. There are a myriad of YouTube videos demonstrating the process–of which we watched many. Chris troubleshot away and eventually concluded that she needed a new fuel pump. Once she was cleaned to the hilt and gussied up with her new pump; she fired up and worked like a charm.

Chalulah Fuel Pump Cost: $250.00

+

Tabasco Fuel Pump Cost: $375.00

For a total of $625.00–we had heat!

The next repair was the bilge pump.

The Bilge Pump and Its Function

Bilge pumps are crucial. We’ve all seen catastrophe movies where the bilge malfunctions and the boat sinks. Think Titanic, The Poseidon Adventure, A Perfect Storm—you get the idea. Bilge pumps keep the boat free from water by pumping and removing water from the bilge, the lowest part of the boat’s hull. There are different types of bilge pumps, each with its functions and capabilities. To keep our sailboat safe and dry, the bilge pump must remain in perfect working condition, free of clogs and any sign of wear.

Our bilge pump worked often, and sometimes it didn’t, so we moved on to the next repair.

Our BiIge Pump Repair

On Gypsea, we have two bilge pumps: a 2000 gps electric bilge pump and a manual bilge pump. One bilge pump can be enough for smaller sailboats, but two or more are needed as the boats get larger.

The Electric bilge pump can be started manually via a switch in our navigation station or automatically via a component called a float switch. The float switch works when rising water activates it, turning on the bilge pump and pumping the water out.

Our pump worked intermittently and sporadically, so it should be addressed right away. As with all boat repairs, the cost can be moderate to exorbitant. A new bilge pump starts at about $350.00, plus the float switch, which will easily add another $100.00 and goes up from there.

Troubleshooting began. The floor was brought up–(a surprisingly easy task in a Sceptre–a boat built for easy access to all things sailing!) The Sceptre is a smart design–a bit ahead of her time; like a flapper in the twenties. After a couple of days chasing wires, testing and retesting; it was decided that the bilge pump and float switch were fine and the problems lie in old and outdated electrical connections.

After a few trips to the marine store and a couple of dollars in electrical connections, Gypsea’s bilge pump purred into action–and has been purring perfectly ever since.

We were thankful that this repair was simple and inexpensive, especially since the next retrofits, upgrades, and repairs are not Windlass, Rode, Sails, Solar, and Anchor.

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