How does water get out of the boat from under the cabin in a sport cruiser?

[ejbpesca]

It appears the sump pump under the trash bin step is a box that drains nothing but the floor of the head. What about water in that area outside the sump pump box? Does it have a path to drain to the bilge? How does water outside the sump pump box get out of the boat?

Some diagrams had me thinking any water going beneath the cabin would be pumped out by the forward sump pump, but it is sealed in a box with only a tube to let water into it from the head floor drain.

Can someone explain it to me?

Thank you,
jb

 

[bone354]

Do use the shower in your boat? Does it have Air conditioning? In my boat the A/C condensation tray drains in there to. If you use the shower it is possible that the pump is intermittent stopped working then overflowed then started working again.

 

[ejbpesca]

In refurbishment phase, yes I tested the shower drain and the sump pump is down, but it holds water, sealed up in its box. I speaking of water around it, in the area where it is mounted beneath the step to the cabin. How does water in that area get out of the boat? Does it drain back to the engine bilge? The sump pump on this boat is a sealed system to drain the shower only. Is that the only way water drains out of the cabin? (I see how sinks drain.) Example..if the shower were to overflow into cabin..where would the water go to get out of the boat?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Water that is under the cabin step (that is outside the sump box) will need to manually be removed. It can not drain to the bilge since then CO fumes could also come forward and enter the living space (along with bilge water). Both are no good. Normally, water should NOT be in the space around the box. If it does, there is either a leak in the box, it overflowed (pump not working), or water is leaking into that space from somewhere else (such as the head shower drain, floor or drain hose). Super simple to see if it's the head that's leaking - just pour water in there and observe.

 

[ejbpesca]

Water that is under the cabin step (that is outside the sump box) will need to manually be removed. It can not drain to the bilge since then CO fumes could also come forward and enter the living space (along with bilge water). Both are no good. Normally, water should NOT be in the space around the box. If it does, there is either a leak in the box, it overflowed (pump not working), or water is leaking into that space from somewhere else (such as the head shower drain, floor or drain hose). Super simple to see if it's the head that's leaking - just pour water in there and observe.

Okay..got it. Get the mop/sponge..out to get water out. I did pour water to the shower floor and it backed up (sump is not working). Looked down in the sump compartment and there is more water around the filled sump box. Seems it would be better to just run shower water out a port like the sinks do, but I guess if the cabin were totally flooded the drain in the shower would lead to pumping water out. I wonder why the box though for the sump pump? Why not just have the pump in it open to the area to pump it out like a forward bilge pump?

I can see now that if the problem is no 12v to the sump pump..going to be another story. I'll crack the thing open tomorrow to check if voltage is present. (top is glued shut) And, see If I can get it pumping if 12v is present. Then check what I think is the circuit breaker for it in the engine compartment...one of three red push buttons to bilge, sump, and console. It could be tripping that circuit breaker too for some reason.

Thank you for the explanation..remove water manually...(This is my first boat with such design, other two cuddy cabin boats drained to the bilge from cabin.)

 

[Lazy Daze]

The shower drain is too low compared to the outside water level - it can't drain directly overboard.

Some boats do not use a box and do it exactly as you are wondering. The problem with that is then you have stinky, smelly, gross, slimy, shower water accumulating and slopping around in a space that is basically open to the cabin. And, just like your engine bilge pump, you can never evacuate ALL the water with a bilge pump. The box keeps the smelly water enclosed inside the box. Take a look in the box - would you really want that water sloshing around in an open compartment just a few feet from where you sleep? :smt001

 

[ejbpesca]

The shower drain is too low compared to the outside water level - it can't drain directly overboard.

Some boats do not use a box and do it exactly as you are wondering. The problem with that is then you have stinky, smelly, gross, slimy, shower water accumulating and slopping around in a space that is basically open to the cabin. And, just like your engine bilge pump, you can never evacuate ALL the water with a bilge pump. The box keeps the smelly water enclosed inside the box. Take a look in the box - would you really want that water sloshing around in an open compartment just a few feet from where you sleep? :smt001

I understand now and yes..it was another model's manual I was looking over that showed the sump as open, not in a box. I get it and yes..I've been aboard some awful stinky boats with similar issues. Okay..thanks so much again. Yep, that box the pump is in is sealed up tight. The optional vent hole punch out on top is not punched. Looks to me it is original, never been opened, or if it was it was siliconed shut. Thank you!

 

[ejbpesca]

I will just wonder why that shower drain does not just go out the side by gravity like the sinks instead of having to go through a pump. ??? Total flooding of cabin is the only reason I can think of why there is even a sump pump..not just a drain out...or maybe drain for shower is too low to flow by gravity out?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Anytime!

 

[bahamabreisus]

I will just wonder why that shower drain does not just go out the side by gravity like the sinks instead of having to go through a pump. ??? Total flooding of cabin is the only reason I can think of why there is even a sump pump..not just a drain out...or maybe drain for shower is too low to flow by gravity out?

Your shower drain is below water level.

 

[trflgrl]

About the breaker panel....is it possible a flipped/worn out/missing breaker is the problem preventing the bilge from working? If you're certain the pushbutton panel manages that pump, do you have a voltmeter/multimeter to test? Just a thought, since that may be a cheaper/easier fix than replacing the pump.

The shower drain is too low compared to the outside water level - it can't drain directly overboard.

Some boats do not use a box and do it exactly as you are wondering. The problem with that is then you have stinky, smelly, gross, slimy, shower water accumulating and slopping around in a space that is basically open to the cabin. And, just like your engine bilge pump, you can never evacuate ALL the water with a bilge pump. The box keeps the smelly water enclosed inside the box. Take a look in the box - would you really want that water sloshing around in an open compartment just a few feet from where you sleep? :smt001

Or under where you sleep? The shower and AC in my DA drain to a compartment under the aft cabin bed. :smt009 Once you're up and running with a clean shower bilge box/surrounding compartment, there will be things you can do to keep those lines clear.

Also, you might consider investing in a wet/dry vac if you don't have one already; helps manage water in unexpected places much faster than bailing or sopping up with towels, mops, etc. You'll find more uses for it as you make your way through all the boat's systems, too, like cleaning out seacock strainers.

 

[ejbpesca]

Thank you all for the advice and explanations as a get to know this boat and try...try...to get it in order.

 

[Bucit]

You may have a leak in your head porthole. I had one and that water ended up under the stairs and outside of the sump box. If it gets too high it will weep it's way onto the carpet and next thing you know it will be wet right in front of the head and fridge.

 

[ejbpesca]

You may have a leak in your head porthole. I had one and that water ended up under the stairs and outside of the sump box. If it gets too high it will weep it's way onto the carpet and next thing you know it will be wet right in front of the head and fridge.

When I was testing the sump (found it fried) the head shower pan filled up and like you said..water somehow got out of the head onto the cabin carpet. I guess that could be a hairline crack in the head floor I can't see..yet. Portholes seem water tight..no sign of any leaks, but then I guess they can leak without showing water stains? Rains very hard here and I can see no water coming in from a port hole. I have the sump out now and it was toast even though looks new. New one on its way. Thanks.

 

[Lazy Daze]

There's a space between the fiberglass head wall and the boat's hull. Water COULD run down in between the two and you would NOT see it in the head. The other possibility is the caulking around the seam of the head floor/wall. Another still is the actual drain seal and/or drain hose. Try this - before you step into the head, kick your toe into that carpeted area under the door. The part that you kicked is a removable panel (takes just a couple minutes, tops) and gives you access to the drain. Feel for screw heads hidden/embedded in the carpet (start at the corners). Now pour some more water in there and observe.

 

[ejbpesca]

There's a space between the fiberglass head wall and the boat's hull. Water COULD run down in between the two and you would NOT see it in the head. The other possibility is the caulking around the seam of the head floor/wall. Another still is the actual drain seal and/or drain hose. Try this - before you step into the head, kick your toe into that carpeted area under the door. The part that you kicked is a removable panel (takes just a couple minutes, tops) and gives you access to the drain. Feel for screw heads hidden/embedded in the carpet (start at the corners). Now pour some more water in there and observe.

10/4 and believe it or not I thought the same thing as you described that once the floor/shower tray had filled up over the outlet drain because sump pump box was full and dead, that yes..the seal between either where the shower meets the lip of the head to the cabin or the fitting that begins the drain to the sump pump is not water tight. Now that I understand that I am not so concerned and have a new sump pump coming and a wet vac too to dry out the area and hopefully with new sump pump water will take the path of least resistance, get pumped out but nothing perfect of course. Once I get it all cleaned up and working I will run a heater in the cabin to dry out everything and maybe get the stink down. hehehe but boy oh boy have I been a board old steel hulls that are much worse and a wonder they float. Thanks..jb (old guy trying one more time for some fun on the Gulf of Mex.)