Tartan37.com

I am looking at replacing my motor mounts this spring and when I have the engine (1981 Westerbeke 50) raised I was going to replace the Oil Plug with a Fumoto oil valve. Has anyone done this and if so what valve did you use?

My raw water pump is difficult to get at and to replace the impeller as it faces aft. I actually have to remove it from the engine to get at it. Does anyone with a W50 have a forward facing access plate on their raw water pump and if so could you post photos?

My oil pan also has the fitting with a hose, that comes up to the injectors. Super easy and clean to change oil with a suction pump.

On the SW pump make the inlet and outlet hoses a little longer and to change the Impeller just remove the mounting bolts. Then tilt the pump to you the access the back.

I am not absolutely sure, but I believe that having an option to drain the oil from a bottom valve is illegal. This is why we have to pump the stuff out. Perhaps I have it wrong, but that is my understanding.

I don't think our engine sump (bath tub) qualifies as the bilge with respect to this regulation.

You're confusing working boats (fishing charter boats).... to private yacht owners

I don't agree, Mike. I think the USCG rule applies to any vessel (USCG has a defiinition of vessel that is very broad) and I do not believe that you will have much luck claiming that the pan is not the bilge. You probably would not get caught cheating in a normal boarding by the USCG, but you might have trouble selling your boat if it gets a survey. You cannot have any way to drain oil or fuel where it can find its way to the bilge. It is a fundamental rule, not a detail.

I do not recall a specific question about this on my USCG Masters' renewal, but I do recall this as a given. Check with your surveyor.

Ray Durkee
T37 #373

The bilge contents have a designed pathway into the water. The engine sump does not. I don't know the law but I would argue that the engine sump is a separate container on the vessel. Since I cannot reach the drain plug on my W50 I only have to worry about the 2+ quarts that leak out over the course of the season! Ray's thorough and excellent write-up on replacing his W50 inspires me to keep mine running!