My boat, an 89 Hunter Legend 37, has three bilges. One is the boat bilge, the area below the floor in the main cabin where the keel bolts are located. This bilge has a pump and float switch. Second is the engine bilge, under the engine where anything from the engine and stuffing box collects. This bilge does not drain into the boat bilge, a feature I like since the boat bilge stays clean (relatively) and if free from oil. Third is the shower bilge, a separate bilge in the head that collects water from the shower. This bilge has a pump controlled by a switch in the shower area, and a check valve on the pump output. I am thinking of doing away with the check valve and drilling a small (1/8" or so) hole in the shower bilge. My thinking is that I will use the bilge pump to drain most water overboard and what does not drain, or leaks back from the hose since there will be no check valve, will drain over time into the boat bilge through the small hole. Is there a flaw in my thinking, or some better way to drain this bilge? I want to get rid of the check valve since it has been a high maintenance item.
bilge question
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bilge
You do not want to drain the shower bilge into the main bilge. The shower water is soapy and will cause a scum build up. You should leave things as they are or have the shower drain into a separate bilge box to pump overboard. My shower and refrigerator drain into a small plastic box with its own bilge pump. This in turn empties into the galley drain above the seacock.
You do not want to drain the shower bilge into the main bilge. The shower water is soapy and will cause a scum build up. You should leave things as they are or have the shower drain into a separate bilge box to pump overboard. My shower and refrigerator drain into a small plastic box with its own bilge pump. This in turn empties into the galley drain above the seacock.
Soap
Soap is considered as gray water, just the same as if it came from the sink. It is legal in most areas, BUTTTTTTTTT.......you must check that you are not in a Zero Discharge zone. Zero Discharge means just that Z E R O. We have many zero discharge zones in the Gulf of Mex. When they say 'zero', they mean 'Zero', that includes spit. Places like Mobile Bay, you are not even allowed to wash your boat. The oil and gas platforms there have retainers welded into the decks so that not even rain escapes. Nothing goes overboard. Another reason to not put shower water into the bilge is that it will also have hair in it and that could eventually block/lock your boats bilge pump. Tony B
Soap is considered as gray water, just the same as if it came from the sink. It is legal in most areas, BUTTTTTTTTT.......you must check that you are not in a Zero Discharge zone. Zero Discharge means just that Z E R O. We have many zero discharge zones in the Gulf of Mex. When they say 'zero', they mean 'Zero', that includes spit. Places like Mobile Bay, you are not even allowed to wash your boat. The oil and gas platforms there have retainers welded into the decks so that not even rain escapes. Nothing goes overboard. Another reason to not put shower water into the bilge is that it will also have hair in it and that could eventually block/lock your boats bilge pump. Tony B
Why not get rid of the check valve?
It sounds like you don't like the check valve. You really don't need it if you have a vented loop in line with the discharge that is well above the heeled waterline. This will prevent the check valve from clogging - both open and closed - as well as preventing backflow if the discharge port falls below the waterline. I have the same setup on my '87 Legend 37 and find it's a cleaner and drier setup the way it is currently configured. If all of the water is allowed to drain to the main bilge, it will never be pumped dry and there will be a greater overall quantity of standing water. Cheers, Brice s/v Maji Tembo majitembo.com
It sounds like you don't like the check valve. You really don't need it if you have a vented loop in line with the discharge that is well above the heeled waterline. This will prevent the check valve from clogging - both open and closed - as well as preventing backflow if the discharge port falls below the waterline. I have the same setup on my '87 Legend 37 and find it's a cleaner and drier setup the way it is currently configured. If all of the water is allowed to drain to the main bilge, it will never be pumped dry and there will be a greater overall quantity of standing water. Cheers, Brice s/v Maji Tembo majitembo.com
conscientious, yes.
it's so easy to use biodegradable soap that I find myself wondering why anyone would want to discharge other soaps overboard. My recommendations: Dawn for the dishes and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap for everything else. BTW, even though your shower sump seems to be high maintenance, it's FAR easier to clean the shower sump periodically than to have to scrub the entire bilge. That's really what you're going to be facing if you disable the sump.
it's so easy to use biodegradable soap that I find myself wondering why anyone would want to discharge other soaps overboard. My recommendations: Dawn for the dishes and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap for everything else. BTW, even though your shower sump seems to be high maintenance, it's FAR easier to clean the shower sump periodically than to have to scrub the entire bilge. That's really what you're going to be facing if you disable the sump.
Or you could just get a replacement check valve
and swap them out, clean the old one at your leisure. Trick I learned from our C34 website: put a piece of plastic screen material over the sump hole with silicone, replace it easily when it gets gunked up. Keeps lotsa hair out of the shower sump.
and swap them out, clean the old one at your leisure. Trick I learned from our C34 website: put a piece of plastic screen material over the sump hole with silicone, replace it easily when it gets gunked up. Keeps lotsa hair out of the shower sump.
Stu- that reminds me
your trick about the plastic screen reminded me about my first boat- the PO had rolled up 1/2" hardware cloth (like small animal cage material)and stuck it in the scupper with 2 inches sticking up- a whole bush full of leaves and junk could be piled up, and the water would still drain nicely. Maine Sail, are you shuddering at the mental image?!? cup
your trick about the plastic screen reminded me about my first boat- the PO had rolled up 1/2" hardware cloth (like small animal cage material)and stuck it in the scupper with 2 inches sticking up- a whole bush full of leaves and junk could be piled up, and the water would still drain nicely. Maine Sail, are you shuddering at the mental image?!? cup
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