Install A Shower Sump - Yes or No

[Boater8]

Folks,

A question for the group.

In getting our "New to Us" 1992 Sundancer 290 ready for the summer, I have been going through the boat pretty carefully as to not find any surprises when we launch and slip the boat this summer.

In the back cabin, I pulled the cushions out, and the wood panels to get a look at the bilge area, I noticed that quite a few of the Searay's use a shower sump, and the shower drains into the box as well as the A/C, and another tube from somewhere I have not yet determined.

Our boat has no sump, just a small Rule pump and a float switch. I did not see any mounting holes at all for a shower sump, not sure if the boat was delivered with one and it was taken out, or maybe they just used the pump and float switch to clear out that part of the bilge when water was present.

While I am preparing things for for summer and we are a few weeks out, would a suggestion just be to leave it the way it is, possibly replacing the pump and switch, or go though the effort of installing a shower sump.

As always thank you for the input.

Pat and Carol

 

[gdavis67]

Boater8, are you saying the shower and A/C condensate drain directly to the bilge? The both items are considered grey water and will not be harmful, however, there is no way I want anything in my bilge that I can redirect by another means. Yes, I am "that guy" that will spend and entire weekend once a year cleaning my EC and bilge to the point of being spotless, however, by introducing water into the bilge that can be redirected otherwise, it makes it much more difficult to see other issues happening in the bilge should they crop up. My OPINION would be to absolutely put in a sump for both condensate and shower. You can still use the rule pump and switch, just put it in a sealed sump box with a discharge line through hull.

 

[dtfeld]

I would put one back in...I’m sure there was one at some point. I with a lot of others have had issues with the original setup particularly with a slow draining shower. Might be why the P.O. removed. Here is one for $105, that has 3 separate inlets vs the original that has a 3-1 manifold that I suspect is clogged and slowing things down.

It would also have the added benefits described above

https://www.go2marine.com/product/1...08a4NPy--qPTfQqMd0Xvlm0lGS1ogxNxoCkwcQAvD_BwE

 

[atrick]

Don't know if yours is layed out same as mine but I got a 95 290 sundancer and under the aft bunk on mine is the fresh water tank in one compartment, in front of that in an other compartment is the shower sump and beside those two compartment on the right side in an other compartment is the fresh water pump.

 

[Lazy Daze]

If the shower gets used, without a sump box, the bilge will start to get nasty... and smell. That's one of the main reasons the box is used - to keep the smell away. Not all manufacturer's use it, but personally I think it's a great idea.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I hate my sump. I consolidated from two sumps to one so I'd have less to maintain, and it's still a frequent and unpleasant maintenance item.

Even so, I'd never go without one. If I didn't use the shower I'd install a venturi to expel AC condensate, but shower water in the bilge is a recipe for a dirty, smelly bilge.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I hate my sump. I consolidated from two sumps to one so I'd have less to maintain, and it's still a frequent and unpleasant maintenance item.

Even so, I'd never go without one. If I didn't use the shower I'd install a venturi to expel AC condensate, but shower water in the bilge is a recipe for a dirty, smelly bilge.

Wow...I opened my sump one time to check it and never had even one issue. We always use liquid soap.

Bennett

 

[Blueone]

I hate plumbing!!!.... but the only way to go is a sealed container that your floor drain in the shower or head is routed to.. along with the condensate drain from the AC units. Make sure you flush the condensate line out at least once a year as this can get clogged and backup. For the sump I just use my dock side water hose to flush the sump out and pump all the soap scum and all the other weird floating crap over board....scrub with soap and a brush and it's as good as new.

 

[Boater8]

gdavis67 / dtfeld / atrick / Lazy Dave / RollerCoastr / bbwhitejr / Blueone

Thank you all for replying!!!!

Based on all your experience - I WILL put one in for sure.

I was actually surprised that there was not one in there, and not sure if the last owner took it out.

What leads me to believe there was never one in there, is no where can I see any type of mouning holes or connection point for the box.

The bildge area where everything collects is quite clean.

I will have to give the bilge a good scrub down and figure a way to mount the box. The Rule pump and switch are kinda cruddy looking, so they will go.

Has anyone installed one by just using silicone to attach it to the bilge floor, kinda scary driving screws in the bottom of the boat

I understand the bilge floor will need to be clean and grease free for the silicone to stick.

Thank you all again for the input.

Sincerley,

Pat and Carol

 

[Lazy Daze]

I might use something a little more tenacious than regular silicone. Once it gets some water in there, sloshing around, there will be more "force" acting on the box to pop it free. Something like BoatLife LifeCaulk would be great (and longer lasting). I would also give the area a light sand.

However, where you are putting the box should be a flat area and 3/4" or 1" screws will be just fine. Your hull is probably at least 1' thick in that area... plus the "flat area" is higher than the hull. You can use the same LifeCaulk to seal the screw holes, if you want.

Could probably use that heavy duty 3M velcro, too. The kind where both halves are kinda "hard" (no "fuzzy" side). Another product that would work... the kind of double sided foam tape that is used on car/truck side moldings.

 

[HUMPH]

I hate my sump. I consolidated from two sumps to one so I'd have less to maintain, and it's still a frequent and unpleasant maintenance item.

Even so, I'd never go without one. If I didn't use the shower I'd install a venturi to expel AC condensate, but shower water in the bilge is a recipe for a dirty, smelly bilge.

I am the opposite, I replaced both sumps and added a crossover between them in case the main head sump failed it dumps into the aft head sump to discharge. I don’t want shower water dumping in my bilge!