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Bilge Pump HELP

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jfrprops
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Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:30 pm

Ok guys, as a Cruiser guy I always replaced my 12 volt Lovett bilge pump every few years. Cheap Insurance...not a cheap pump.

the company has seemed to be in and out of business of late. Can't find one on the net?

Classic Boat connection use to have some....not on their online catalog I checked tonight.

1) how/where can I find new Lovett?

2) What is the highest quality available substitute?

I do not want one with a separate float switch...don't trust them.

The most expensive internal switch Rule I tried a couple of years ago...got STUCK on oil and flotsam ....which is found in EVERY cruiser bilge....just way too sensitive ....not dependable.

Price is not an issue....searching for quality and dependablility

suggestions?

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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offshorespars
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by offshorespars » Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:44 am

John:

Try Midwest Marine in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. They are a distributor only and will not sell to a retail customer. But if they have one you could ask your local marine store to order it for you.

Good Luck!
Mike
1978 30' CC Sportsman
1948 22' CC Sportsman

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by drrot » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:08 am

John,
Midwest don't have them and it they did you don't want them. The last batch of Lovett pumps were made overseas and had a poor survival rate. The earlier ones were serviceable and could be rebuilt.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:45 am

Yes Jim, I recall being right in the middle of that foreign parts criticism.....and they went to alum wire too....but last time I managed to locate one and used my orig. copper wires.

My real problem is that the float in the Lovett gets gummed up and heavy and make the thing short cycle....

Still hoping someone will recommend a suitable replacement.

many thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by Peter M Jardine » Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:18 pm

I have used Rule switches for years, and now I use Taylor pumps instead of Rule. I have two of the 1600 gph pumps, very good quality.

I don't have flotsam or oil in my bilge.

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:27 pm

Peter,

Can't find "taylor" on the net? Taylormade and some band call the bilge pumps....

steer me to a website for research on those pumps?

There really are not many choices......have folks had experience with Johnson and Whale brands?

I figure a hundred dollar pump is suspect......for a cruiser anyway....

Many thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by boat_art » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:39 am

Peter M Jardine wrote:I have used Rule switches for years, and now I use Taylor pumps instead of Rule. I have two of the 1600 gph pumps, very good quality.

I don't have flotsam or oil in my bilge.
Peter doesnt even have dust in his bilge! Hehe...just kidding but I believe thats true! Agreed on the Taylor pumps...I trust them.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
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1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:57 am

Ok....I will try a TAYLOR...if someone will tell me where to find one????? Web search ....no help???

thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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tkhersom
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by tkhersom » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:14 am

jfrprops wrote:
I do not want one with a separate float switch...don't trust them.

John in Va.
John I am new to the cruiser world, but have been using a seperate float swich pump in my glass boat with plenty of oil and flotsam for years with very little trouble. Have also been running a Lovett pump in the CC Continental for decades and since it is 6 Volt and no longer available, guess I will run it a while longer.

I undersand the idea of cheap insurance, but don't understand the apprehension to a seperate float switch. :?

Can you please enlighten me.

Troy in ME.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:55 pm

Troy,

Just a personal aversion to them....things seem to get stuck in them every time I have used one....now this was ages ago mostly, since I have been using the Lovetts for 15+ years.

All of us cruiser guys have nasty bilge stuff floating around...nature of the beast....I just prefer the integral switches.

I hope someone will post something about where I can find one of those TAYLOR ones?

Thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by Peter M Jardine » Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:37 pm

Oops...my bad...Johnson pump.

For cruisers i recommend the 1600/2200/4000. Google johnson pump and look for the marine section. The 1600 gpm pump sells around 125 bucks i think.

As for stuff in the bilge...my first marine engine mentor was Earl Phillips...his family were all boat builders and repairer. Earl had trained during the second war as a Rolls Royce marine mechanic since he was already qualified in smaller engines. When I suggested putting a drip pan under the Ardun-Ford engine we were building, he asked why....and I said..to catch the oil drips. Earls eyes opened wide and mad and he snapped back. "If your engine leaks oil you fix the leak!!!!!!!!!". He looked almost maniacal. I never discussed drip pans with him again... :mrgreen:

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:49 pm

Ok Peter, I can find Johnson's......my own at least.......so I will research them.

many thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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tkhersom
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by tkhersom » Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:39 pm

This is the pump I have in my glass boat. I see here it is called "light duty", not sure why, but it works great.

Yes you do have to use a seperate float switch.

http://www.boatersplus.com/itt-jabsco-3 ... =shopzilla
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:56 pm

The Johnson pump arrived and I am not thrilled with how it looks.....not much surface area for pickup....??

I may have to go with a larger Rule...and then go to 1/18 or 1.25 thru hull to replace my current 3/4 one.....as those pumps call for the bigger outlet.

It is the story of the world that we live in that Lovett could not make it....off shored stuff and still came in at too expensive for the present marketplace....for my money they were, in the old days, well worth it.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by PaulM » Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:38 am

Sorry for coming in on this late but my favorite combination of pump and switch control is the Shureflo brand pump (1500 model),
and the Water Witch brand solid state water level control switch (no actual float).
"Practical Sailor"Magazine did extensive testing of many bilge pumps and switches available today and found this combination very reliable and trouble free. In an oily bilge, the contact plates on the switch need to be wiped off once and a while. They also proved that all bilge pumps should be derated about 20% from their published GPH pumping capacity to the capacity you'll get in a real world installation.
~~~ Paul ~~~

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:49 pm

I got and installed....one of the Johnson 800 pumps...very suspect of it...so I found a rebuild kit and rebuilt the Lovett that was in there...cleaned it all up too....and put it back in the very next day..relying on the Johnson but overnight...when I returned, 200 mile round trip...I found the Johnson pump must have been working..but on a test it pumped a full minute until it started coughing up the last of the surface water...then continued for two full minutes before it shut off...pumping essentially nothing during that time. Totally unacceptable.

I will look into that last pump recommendation.

Makes me wonder: What do folks with expensive big yachts use for bilge pumps? Price is not a factor...it is dependability and safety ......seems to me there is a void in this market?

Many thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by Peter M Jardine » Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:50 pm

Did you get one of the cartridge style Johnson's ? They are light too.... the big ones are about 5 inches around, and about 8 inches tall. They weigh about 3 pounds or so, and have substantive motors.

This is the one I am talking about


Image

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:13 pm

No Peter and that is my fault.....those require the 1 1/8 discharge thru hull and I only have the 3/4. The Lovett uses the 3/4....that pump you show does look beefy enough ......will go that route when the Lovett konks out .....and I am due to be hauled in the next week or so for annual bottom paint ....I should go to the big thru hull while out.

thanks,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

homeiste
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by homeiste » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:59 am

John,
Where did you find rebuild kits for Lovett pumps?
THanks, Jon
1960 18' Continental
1970 Boston Whaler Sakonnet w/ Bearcat 55 outboard

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:38 am

Jon,

I my chris craft shed! I have several old lovetts for parts and in going through the boxes for each I found I had bought TWO rebuild at some time in the past and thus still had one.

New drive belts was important find...as was new housing gasket. Wish I could help you....those were excellent pumps.

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by evansjw44 » Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:02 pm

Drive belts are just "O" rings. Go to any bearing and gear oultet and you can get them. Need a gasget? Use some silicone. Motors can be rebuilt by a motor shop.
Jim Evans

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:14 pm

Yep, The O rings are the answer for sure Jim, but I won a new Lovett 900 shower stall pump on ebay and it includes three drive belt sets.....if they are not all dried out from age.
Most important thing I did what a thorough cleaning including especially the Styrofoam float that was all oil soaked....for now I am up and running as per usual.

thanks to all,

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

rgmxk22
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by rgmxk22 » Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:20 am

After reading all these posts on the Lovett pumps, I went and did a web search for them and found what looks to be their current website. They have online ordering of replacement parts on the site too.

http://www.lovettmarine.com/pumps/repair-parts.asp

I've heard in the past about the questionable quality of the current pumps from them, but for most parts, I would have to figure that you would be pretty safe buying belts and gaskets from them. If the belts would happen to be of really low quality, then I would go with the finding O-rings locally route as Jim suggested.

Ron Michael
1972 CC XK22
Ohio

jfrprops
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by jfrprops » Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:57 am

Yes, I think their parts are still fine.....but not making the whole pump.

Many thanks to the poster here who put me on to the NOS Lovett shower pump on ebay...I got it for 50 bucks and it is great....perfect replacement 90%

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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drrot
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by drrot » Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:11 pm

Being curious I went to the site and aded a 6volt pump to my cart. A popup stated they could not receive funds. Sort of looks like they are gone again.
rgmxk22 wrote:After reading all these posts on the Lovett pumps, I went and did a web search for them and found what looks to be their current website. They have online ordering of replacement parts on the site too.

http://www.lovettmarine.com/pumps/repair-parts.asp

I've heard in the past about the questionable quality of the current pumps from them, but for most parts, I would have to figure that you would be pretty safe buying belts and gaskets from them. If the belts would happen to be of really low quality, then I would go with the finding O-rings locally route as Jim suggested.

Ron Michael
1972 CC XK22
Ohio
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com


1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174

rgmxk22
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Re: Bilge Pump HELP

Post by rgmxk22 » Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:18 pm

Thanks Jim, When I posted that link last night, I never thought about checking to see if the checkout worked like you did. You're probably right about them being gone. It's a shame since Lovetts were pretty good pumps in their day. They didn't move as much water as some other pumps, but were dependable in automatic mode.

Ron Michael
1972 CC XK22
Ohio

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