Ballast Pump

[Luke]

How difficult is it to replace a ballast pump? My port fill ballast pump appears to be shot. (Actually it died beginning of the season last year.) I'm not sure I can put up with filling the tank by driving slow for the entire season. Do you have to take out the tank to replace this pump?

[skinautique]

shouldn't be tough at all. It is located in the bilge if I am not mistaken just underneath the engine.

[NautiqueJeff]

Luke,

Wouldn't that be a warranty issue? Swing that boat by the dealer and they should fix you up with a swiftness.

[Luke]

The problem is my closest dealer is 3 hours away. That's why I never got it fixed last year; I can still get the tank filled by driving with it open. A trip to the dealer requires trying to get the boat to the dealership during business hours and possibly leaving the boat.

Under the engine would be much easier to fix than under the tanks, I'll check that out.

[skinautique]

I have no idea if that pump is under warranty but if it is, they should be able to send you the pump and you can just ship them your old pump back.

[crotchrocket]

I just replaced mine on the 2000 SAN. It was an easy job. Maybe 45 minutes to remove since I didnt know exactly was I had to do. Then maybe 15 minutes to install. I had to pull out the balast tank. Well you could probably do with it the tank there but it would be a pain to reach. The only hard part was trying to figure which way to turn the tank to get it out. Its a tight fit to get out of the space. Then I went to Academy they had the same pump there. A750 For $19. Walmart had a A500 for $15 but they didnt stock the A750. The only differece in the new pump was the suction on the pump was a little longer so I had to hacksaw it off to fit. Oh it didnt have a right pig tail either so I had to splice it. but hey it was cheap. I just used the pig tail off the old pump and then coated the connectors with liquid electrical tape. Any questions let me know. Glad to talk you along. Later

[Frost]

crotchrocket has the right idea, it is easier to remove the ballast tank to change the pump if your fill pumps are on the port stringer, older boats had the fill pumps coming right off from the ballast intake, much harder to change, but you don't have to take out any tanks.

[Luke]

Thanks for the info. I'm following up with my dealer about getting a new pump.