Posted: September 13 2006 at 14:19 | IP Logged

I own a 2000 24' Chaparral Signature. I would like to make other Chaparral owners aware of a problem that could cause damage to their boats. In 2002 I experienced the pump on the fresh water system running for short spurts without any water being drawn. I looked under sinks and in the bilge but found nothing leaking. Later that year after getting back on the boat after taking a dip I discovered water on my cabin floor. Further investigation revealed that the hose feeding my galley and head sinks had separated at the “T” fitting causing the pump which was switched on to empty most of the 15 gallons of fresh water into the cabin. Because the “T” fittings were located behind the wall in the head I had to cut a 6” hole (later covered with a round access hatch) and disconnect the pump-out to get my hands behind the wall. The fix, recommended by another boater was to double clamp all the fittings in the fresh water system. I strongly suggest adding a clamp tightening task to your spring tune up to avoid any costly repairs. Lastly, if the manufacture had added 6” of slack to the feeder hoses this problem may never have happened, but the hoses were like banjo strings until I fixed the problem. Happy Boating.