What does this lever do in my cockpit?

[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]

[Spot]

What make and model of boat? What type of motor?

[cal40john]

Bilge pump

[sailingsunshine]

Its a 1980 C&C landfall 38' with a Westerbeke diesel motor 30hp

[LLCoolDave]

It's a manual bilge pump. They need to be rebuilt every so often because the rubber will harden.

[Dsanduril]

Yep, that’s the handle for a manual, probably Whale diaphragm, bilge pump.

[Macblaze]

Ummm, is there any reason to suspect it isn't just the manual bilge pump?

Ooops... that was redundant wasn't it.

[S/V Illusion]

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

Hope this isn’t too “harsh” but that’s one of the first things anyone should know before ever setting foot on a boat. Too many people die needlessly because they never learned how to use simple safety equipment.

[Spot]

Sailingsunshine, thanks for the thread. I have heard of these but never seen an install or the parts before. That is what I get for having a daysailor...It might be worth finding the inlet tube and sticking it in a bucket of water and seeing if it still pumps.
https://www.overtons.com/whale-gusher-titan-manual-bilgewaste-
pump-322588.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrMWCl-ja7QIVCPHACh1SOgayEAkYBSABEgJR8fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[boatman61]

Pour a bucket of water or two in the bilge after switching off the electric bilge pump if you have one then give it a good pumping to see if it works..

[sailingsunshine]

Thank you everyone that had helpful responses! We poured some water in the bilge and yes it pumps it out! This is a great find. If anyone tried to google cockpit lever pump, nothing comes up so I'm glad you guys were able to help me out. Thanks again!!

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Hope this isn’t too “harsh” but that’s one of the first things anyone should know before ever setting foot on a boat. Too many people die needlessly because they never learned how to use simple safety equipment.

Isn't that what he's trying to find out?

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Isn't that what he's trying to find out?

"we messed with this while motoring" can be too late. There is a time and place to learn but it's always sooner rather than eventually.


I look at these kinds of things from the perspective of my old days in the USCG rescuing people, sometimes unsuccessfully, from avoidable accidents. If I said what I really thought about people who go out in boats completely oblivious to both the hazards and simple safety equipment, I'd get kicked off the forum.

[Stu Jackson]

To the OP, when I find something I don't know about, I first look behind the wall to see what's there, and then traced what it is connected to.


It's FUN playing detective.


One has to be inquisitive in addition to being able to come up with Google search terms.


Good luck, welcome aboard.

[AiniA]

You many have figured this out already, the handle does not live in position. It is stored in an obvious, accessible place and only take out for special events.