What does this lever do in my cockpit?

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by BarryB

It's a Cockpit Bilge Pump, standard install.

Originally Posted by jleeglenn

Bilge pump handle....looks tired. Check pump.

Originally Posted by sailorladd

That operates your bilge pump, usually a whale gusher pump, operational from the cockpit by law, for obvious reasons (if you were sinking )...

I would suggest you invite an experienced sailor friend to look over your new boat and explain things that you may not be too sure about Good luck and take care

Can you cite a CFR or USCG boater safety page as to where it says it's the law to have one mounted outside, or even have one at all?

https://www.boatus.org/equipment/#:~...op%20of%20them.

Now if you are going to enter a race, it is a rule in the ISAF OSR that a bilge pump is required, operable from the deck, it does not say cockpit. For ocean races like category 0 a second manual bilge pump is required to be operable below deck.

https://www.ussailing.org/competitio...l-regulations/

All that said above, I think everyone should have bilge pumps or buckets or something. Personally if sailing short handed I think a powered pump of some sort is the first thing you want. You need to be finding and stopping the leak, not stuck at the handle pumping.

Check out post #11 as to whether the OP is still wondering what it is.

[pendragon]

it's a removable handle for the bilge pump.

[nonav]

“Special Events”, like a monthly check of something you hope is never needed!

Merry Christmas, cruisers and forumites

[capn ken]

Originally Posted by sailingsunshine

We bought a new sailboat but we have no idea what this lever does. Its probably something clearly simple but we've messed with this while motoring and it doesn't do anything. Anyone have a clue? It goes up and down into place.
Ps dont be too harsh, we are new at this[emoji846]Attachment 228927

bilge pump handle . merry x mas

[SVPP]

I acknowledge you have acknowledged it is a bilge pump handle. Which is terrific.

I also acknowledge that some feel compelled to turn it into a life lesson for safety at sea.

If you have any questions about your new boat, safety or otherwise please feel free to ask.

BTW, I have been at sea for most of my life and had no idea what it was. I would have guessed It was some form of engine shutdown.

Thanks for the question and the chance for me to learn something new.

[Soundhaven]

Hi, SailingSunshine,
By now, you know it's the handle for your manual bilge pump. If you trace the hose that is attached to the back side of it, you should be able to find the pick-up foot for it, in the deepest part of your bilge. Sometimes it takes quite a few pumps of the handle to start sucking water from the bilge all the way to your through-hull and out of your boat. If there's water in the bilge, and you can't clear it with your manual pump, you may have something clogging your pick up, or you may have a break in the hose that's not allowing the suction you need.
This is an important piece of safety equipment, so you will want to make sure that it's working. Please ask as many questions as you want. That's what these forums are for, right?
Have fun on your new boat!
Noreen
S/V Soundhaven, 1990 IP32
S/V Sweethaven, 1983 PSC Flicka20

[oldersalt1944]

Nice thing about it being located in the cockpit is you an pump it with your foot while still driving the boat!

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by oldersalt1944

Nice thing about it being located in the cockpit is you an pump it with your foot while still driving the boat!

You must have far more capable feet than I do... operating a handle that requires pushing (with considerable force) in both up and down directions is way beyond what my feet can do... hard enough with the hands for which it was designed!

Jim

PS I'm wondering just how many more folks will identify it as a pump handle? Must be pushing a score or more already!

[Ken Fry]

The little pocket next to your bilge pump handle that looks like a winch handle holder is probably the place where the handle was kept. The handle should have (and it looks like it does) a leash so that it can't go overboard. The leash should reach to the stowage point. Replacing the leash will give you an opportunity to learn about the sorts of knots that work well on slippery surfaces. A rebuild of the pump is probably in order, as is a thorough check of the piping. An ironic failure of a pump can occur when the outlet hose fails, giving you a great deal of exercise for no return. The humorous aspect of the irony might be lost on you when you really need the pump, however.

(Some of the language that sailors use in these situations is of the sort that people are referencing when they say "she has the mouth of a sailor")

Be aware that a manual bilge pump has a very low likelihood of being able to keep up with a significant leak, such as would result from one of your through hulls failing. Read the Practical Sailor tests on the rate at which water can enter a boat vs the rate at which you can pump it out.

You will want to check to see that you have plugs for your through hulls, and check that the shutoff valves work well.

You might want to read through Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship. You have a very nice boat.

[NYSail]

Bilge pump.Yippy

Pump away

[dmyles]

I recently installed the whale repair kit for my manual bilge pump. Even though all rubber gaskets and seals on the old components looked good, no cracks or obvious wear, the pump did not work. After the replacement kit was ihstalled the pump worked fine. I think the manufacturer says something like 5 years for repoacement.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by sailingsunshine

We bought a new sailboat but we have no idea what this lever does. Its probably something clearly simple but we've messed with this while motoring and it doesn't do anything. Anyone have a clue? It goes up and down into place.
Ps dont be too harsh, we are new at this[emoji846]Attachment 228927

Looks like a mechanical bilge pump handle.
Just check what it is attached to

[Jim.b.mack]

Originally Posted by sailingsunshine

We bought a new sailboat but we have no idea what this lever does. Its probably something clearly simple but we've messed with this while motoring and it doesn't do anything. Anyone have a clue? It goes up and down into place.
Ps dont be too harsh, we are new at this[emoji846]Attachment 228927

Hi SS
I’m a bit of a C&C nut over here on Lake Huron at Goderich. I have a 78 C&C 34.
Love the Landfall 38 one parked near me on the hard for winter storage.
Where did you find yours. That is an awesome first boat. We started with a 26M and now the 34 next boat maybe a Landfall.
Any chance of a few more pictures?

Cheers Jim

[st0nes]

Originally Posted by sailingsunshine

We bought a new sailboat but we have no idea what this lever does. Its probably something clearly simple but we've messed with this while motoring and it doesn't do anything. Anyone have a clue? It goes up and down into place.
Ps dont be too harsh, we are new at this[emoji846]Attachment 228927

It looks like the pump handle for your manual bilge pump. Can you take it out?

[AKA-None]

While you are checking out the condition of your pump and the gasket and flapper valves also make sure you have good smooth walled hoses. Someone had replaced mine with cheap corrugated hose which doesn’t flow very well.