CAL Water Pump Fitting

[Mike Smith]

I replaced the raw water strainer for the air conditioning system on Breezer last Monday. As I was finishing up, I pulled at each hose connection to make sure it was secure. When I did this to the existing CAL water pump connection the fitting snapped in half. It is a 90 degree 3/4" female to 3/4" barb. Upon inspection, the remaining fitting and barb had several other cracks which could have failed at any time and sunk the boat, if unattended. I tried to find a replacement nylon fitting at BoatUS/West, but no luck. I went to a marine air conditioning shop and the owner told me the CAL fitting was PVC and shouldn't be trusted on a boat. I ended up replacing the broken PVC fitting with one 90 degree female-female nylon fitting and one 3/4" male to 3/4" barb nylon fitting combination. I advise anyone with a CAL pump on their boat to do the same.

Mike