Shower Sump Bilge?

[rmr911]

So, I'm two weeks into my ownership of a 280 SD...

I've read every post on problems with the shower sump..and have taken good notes on things to keep that sump working correctly (THANK YOU all very much), BUT...I'm having a little different issue.

The sump box sits in a small bilge. I've got at least an inch of water in the bilge, outside of the sump box, and I don't see that there's a bilge pump there to remove it. It explains why I have wet carpet at the base of the stairs...my questions are: 1) Where's this water coming from (deck drain at the top of the stairs?) and 2) Should there be a bilge pump there outside of the of the sump box?

Thanks all, appreciate being able to benefit from your experience.

 

[Dave S]

You may want to download the parts manual for your boat, Many times the illustrations can answer a lot of questions like the ones you are asking. Here is the link for the pdf on Sea Ray's web site for your boat. http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/parts_manuals/2005/2005 280DA.pdf

On my 260DA there is another sump pump located just outside the sump box. That area of the bilge should always be bone dry under normal circumstances. But I did have a problem with the caulking in my shower that allowed water to enter that area when you used the shower. So if you use your shower, you might want to check to be sure you have no leaks comming from around the drain or any other areas that are caulked such as where the fiberglass panels meet the front (door) panel. On mine that is the area that had to be recaulked.

 

[Presentation]

So, I'm two weeks into my ownership of a 280 SD....

Not to nit-pick but......you have a 280 DA.

SD is for Sun Deck.

I have no belge pump outside the clear plastic box. Mine is dry.

How is your belge area? I have only a small amount of water in the middle.

Poor some water down various spots like the step well and see if the water level raises.

 

[Shining]

So, I'm two weeks into my ownership of a 280 SD....

Not to nit-pick but......you have a 280 DA.

SD is for Sun Deck.

I have no belge pump outside the clear plastic box. Mine is dry.

How is your belge area? I have only a small amount of water in the middle.

Poor some water down various spots like the step well and see if the water level raises.

Not to nit-pick but it's spelled b-i-l-g-e :wink: On my boat, I have have a drain that runs from the bilge in the engine compartment all the way up to the front. I didn't know this until cleaning my boat for winter storage last year, I hosed out the bilge area under the engine. I guess the boat wasn't angled back enough on the trailer, and the next day I noticed the carpet on the floor in the cabin was wet. I tipped the boat back and out came the water. Sucked the little bit of water left under the step with the shop vac, and good ever since.
-Mike

 

[Turtlesboat]

There is no extra pump outside of the box on a 280. The way the cabin is laid out and the angle of the floor, the water could be coming from anywhere. Last week I had a problem when I forgot to close and latch the window over the galley. It rained and water ran down, under the sink, along the edge of the floor and into that little area. So if you are leaking water anywhere in the cabin, that is the place it's going to go. So if a window is leaking, or the A/C isn't draining right, or the sink is leaking or the shower is leaking, or the sump pump isn't working, it's all going to end up in that area.

 

[AndersonAcres]

Our 250 gets wet in the same place. After significant investigation and experientation we determined it was from wet bodies/bathing suits dripping on the carpet. It seems that low air circulation in that area keeps it from drying out as quickly as other places on board.

 

[Presentation]

When we had a 240 Sundancer this area would only be wet on the trailer of we had the trailer to low in front. Put it back up and the water would go to the belge, oops, b-i-l-g-e.

Are you sure your bilge is dry or close to it?

 

[rmr911]

Thanks all.

I've got minimal water in the engine bilge. My guess right now, based on your feedback, is that the water around the shower sump box is run-off from when the dealer had the boat cleaned prior to delivery. Not sure where it's runnng off from, I'll have to watch for sources. (Have to figure it out before winter comes back to Seattle, and the monsoons return. :smt001)

I had run several gallons through the shower and the sump box handled it fine with no leakage. All the caulk lines look good in there, though the housing beneath the Vacuflush looks suspect.

I also had some water beneath the mid cabin berth mattress pad...I can't see an obvious source for that either, but I'm hoping that both were just sloppy work by the cleaning crew...

 

[Turtlesboat]

the water from the mid cabin is probably from washing. the through bolts on the cockpit seats aren't sealed so a good washing will leak into the mid cabin. Jeremy has pics of this somewhere. if it was enough, it could have run off into the sump area. Finding water leaks are fun :smt021

 

[boatmailster]

So, I'm two weeks into my ownership of a 280 SD...

I've read every post on problems with the shower sump..and have taken good notes on things to keep that sump working correctly (THANK YOU all very much), BUT...I'm having a little different issue.

The sump box sits in a small bilge. I've got at least an inch of water in the bilge, outside of the sump box, and I don't see that there's a bilge pump there to remove it. It explains why I have wet carpet at the base of the stairs...my questions are: 1) Where's this water coming from (deck drain at the top of the stairs?) and 2) Should there be a bilge pump there outside of the of the sump box?

Thanks all, appreciate being able to benefit from your experience.

Don't even look for water leak sources. Bring boat back to dealer for warranty. It is most likely that portholes and deck hatch are leaking, but water travels behind vinyl and shows on floor or under seats, beds etc. It's a known problem (but your dealer won't tell you that )

 

[dcwjd]

I had the same problem this weekend after spending multiple nights and taking 4 showers a day on the boat between the admiral and I. Water collected under the garbage can inside the steps leading to the cabin. Any help would be great?

 

[boatmailster]

I had the same problem this weekend after spending multiple nights and taking 4 showers a day on the boat between the admiral and I. Water collected under the garbage can inside the steps leading to the cabin. Any help would be great?

if there were no rain and your water system has no leaks (pumps not starting by itself), your leak comes from:
ane of hoses attached to sump pump has loose hose clamp or cracked fitting
b:drain in floor inside head is leaking under floor (remove garbage pail in check with your hand if there is water leaking while shower is on and draining trough floor drain)

 

[craig240DA]

We are pretty sure our 240 DA air-conditioner condensation drain doesn't drain and overflows into the cabin floor and soaks the carpet

 

[Tyler Iverson]

I have a 1997 270 Sundancer with the same issue--wet carpet from water collecting in the small area below the shower bilge pump box. Definitely gets wetter after shower so last fall I re-caulked the head. That didn't solve the problem. I'm finally coming around to the belief that there might be a small crack/slow leak in the shower bilge box. Going to try and pull the box out next chance I get assuming I can actually get to all of the screws holding it in. That area is a real pain to access--finally unscrewed all the screws holding the top step to the piano hinge to make it a little easier but I'm afraid I'll never get the step reattached the same way now! If anyone knows how to get the whole staircase assembly out of the way,, please let me know. If I can't find a leak in the box, my plan is to install a Rule automatic pump in that area and wire it to the same lines running to the shower pump and run the discharge into the same box. I welcome any advice or tips.

 

[Jandcinok]

For checking your shower box, try some food coloring in the box, and see if it shows up in the bilge. Wouldnt try it where carpet would get wet though.

 

[duckmnn]

I have a 1997 270 Sundancer with the same issue--wet carpet from water collecting in the small area below the shower bilge pump box. Definitely gets wetter after shower so last fall I re-caulked the head. That didn't solve the problem. I'm finally coming around to the belief that there might be a small crack/slow leak in the shower bilge box. Going to try and pull the box out next chance I get assuming I can actually get to all of the screws holding it in. That area is a real pain to access--finally unscrewed all the screws holding the top step to the piano hinge to make it a little easier but I'm afraid I'll never get the step reattached the same way now! If anyone knows how to get the whole staircase assembly out of the way,, please let me know. If I can't find a leak in the box, my plan is to install a Rule automatic pump in that area and wire it to the same lines running to the shower pump and run the discharge into the same box. I welcome any advice or tips.

I have a 96’ 270. I replaced about 7 years ago. I did the complete dump box leaving step on. My float was stuck this letting box over flow. Carpet in cabin then getting wet. If you pour a gallon of water in shower drain . You pump should kick on.My ac condensat line goes to also.

 

[JAMES FREEMAN]

Members...new to forum so please be kind...I have a 2001 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer...I replaced my shower box because it was leaking and now replaced with brand new one...water seems to drip from hose back to bilge and leaks outside box...what do i do is there a check value or more powerful pump to push all water out?

 

[Lazy Daze]

If the hose is dripping, it is either compromised or the clamp is loose. Or the box's nipple is cracked.

 

[Tyler Iverson]

Resolved my issue and thought I would report back. Turns out my shower was not leaking and my sump pump was fine. I had a leaky connection under the galley sink that would leak when the fresh water pump was left on. (I should have known better--pump wouldn't cycle a lot but it would periodically). Anyways, this water would then drip from under the sink and collect in the bilge below and around the shower sump box--eventually getting the lower floor carpet wet. Problem solved with new fitting that didn't leak. I feel better that it was fresh water at least and not grey or worse Here is a link to the fittings that fixed the leak: https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p...HHv53ZyYaAeAzZjbO8CmlWCF2lyjRSEhoChBoQAvD_BwE

 

[Tyler Iverson]

Members...new to forum so please be kind...I have a 2001 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer...I replaced my shower box because it was leaking and now replaced with brand new one...water seems to drip from hose back to bilge and leaks outside box...what do i do is there a check value or more powerful pump to push all water out?

Are you sure that's where the water is coming from? I had similar issue but it turned out I had a leaky connection under the galley sink (fresh water) that would only leak when the line was pressurized--water would collect in the bilge area near shower sump. Replaced a faulty fitting at the end of the poly pipe and problem solved.