The day has come bilge pump went

[CRC]

Been waiting on it and it happened as I checked system before putting it in h2o. My 10 year old bilge pump finally went in my MA18. Dreading playing around in there, any tricks or suggestions let me know.

[tidewater]

I had a similar problem wit a 9" pie hole. Couldn't see the bilge pump but a lot and lot of wires in a spaghetti farm pattern. Drew a line around the splash well 2" from the edge cut it all out. found 3 rule pumps 500-700/gph, one bilge pump 11oo/gph with a beer can sized float switch and also a wash down pump. Crowded was an understatement and access via the pie hole for a 73 year old was impossible. Now eliminating some of the Rules (don't need more than one live well) and wash down and rewiring the bilge and other areas. Probably rewiring the switch panel as well (maybe) ;-)

Made a new (removable) lid for the splash well out of starboard and will reinstall the pie-hole as an inspection port only.

Good luck,

My MA 18.5 is a '92 so it's past due for a bit of an overhaul!

[Geaux Time]

http://www.mbcforum.com/showpost.php?post/514187/

If you decide to make your access hole bigger, here is the link to my post from last month. Prob an easier way to hyperlink it but I'm not sure how. Really makes accessing the bilge, livewell plumbing much easier. I really did a number on my hands before doing this.

[FLDXT]

I'm 6'3" or so, I changed mine through the pie hole in my 17MA. It can be done. Just understand what you are trying to do and it is fairly simple to get out. Pretty much can only have one arm at a time down there so get a good.visual.of what needs to happen.

[CRC]

Pump is fine. It's the wires from the console to bilge. Have to re wire. No as bad as full replacement, a little less work. One of the wires was almost dust when opened, 15 years guess it's due.