How to Replace a Bilge Pump on a Bayliner Capri

by Tom Price

When thinking of the word bilge, visions of a dirty, smelly place fill one's head. In reality, this is not usually the case. When water finds its way into the bilge, or bottom of the boat, there is usually a bilge pump there to pump that water out before it becomes stagnant and odorous. An inoperative bilge pump on a Bayliner Capri, or any other boat, for that matter, can literally sink the boat. Although replacing a bilge pump sounds like a distasteful job, it is one that most boat owners can perform comfortably in less than an hour.

Step 1

Pull out the center transom seat cushion. Open and secure the engine hatch. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.

Step 2

Pull the electrical connector plug out of the bilge pump motor.

Step 3

Loosen the hose clamp that secures the bilge pump hose to the bilge pump by turning the screw head of the hose clamp counterclockwise with a standard screwdriver. Twist the bilge pump hose to break it loose from the bilge pump. Pull the hose off the bilge pump.

Step 4

Remove the three mounting screws that secure the bilge pump to the hull. Remove the bilge pump and discard.

Step 5

Place the replacement bilge pump in the same location and oriented the same way as the old bilge pump. Secure the bilge pump to the hull with the three bilge pump mounting screws.

Step 6

Slip the bilge pump hose onto the fitting on the bilge pump, ensuring that the hose clamp is on the hose prior to installation. Tighten the hose clamp.

Step 7

Plug the electrical plug into the power head of the bilge pump.

Step 8

Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery.

Step 9

Run some water into the bilge. Test the pump by flipping the bilge pump switch on the dashboard to the "On" position to ensure that the pump will operate when needed. Ensure that water is pumping from the bilge by observing the water shooting through the hull bilge discharge hole on the starboard side of the boat just forward of the transom.