Hunter 39 Shower Sump

[Knotty Dog]

Good morning,
Does the shower sump drain to the holding tank or does it drain to the bilge in this model?
Thanks, Linda

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The whole purpose of having a sump is to keep shower water out of the bilge. But no need for it to drain into the waste holding tank either..."gray water" (galley, bath and shower water) may legally be drained overboard in all US waters except for a very few non-navigable inland lakes. So the answer to your question is, neither one...sumps are supposed to drain overboard. If there's a shower sump installed on your boat, it should be plumbed to a thru-hull high enough on the hull to keep it above the waterline.

Both shower water and icebox or fridge drain water can turn a bilge into a stinking swamp...so running the icebox drain line into the shower sump would be a good idea if a PO hasn't already done so.

 

[Knotty Dog]

Thank you Peggie.
~ Linda

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I've added a bit to my reply since you read it.

 

[scottdube]

Hunter is very fond of the cheapo atwood sump boxes that have a high propensity for failure. I've stopped using them and replaced with Whale gulper pumps. Replacing the forward one this weekend. Expensive but worth it. I have the IC one that turns itself on and off (most of the time).

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

You only replaced the sump pump, you didn't replace the whole sump box with just a pump, did you? That is one way to do it, so if you did, it might be helpful to Linda if you explain how you installed and plumbed the pump.

 

[scottdube]

Took the entire sump box and pump out of the boat, as you know it's a small bilge pump and float switch. Neither of those like the grey water inhabitants... Soap scum hair etc. It also has water in it and of course that begins to smell. The yellow Whale IC pump comes with a small manifold which has a couple of inlets and an outlet which goes to the pump. This manifold also contains a capacitance sensor to turn the pump on and off. All of the existing plumbing is reused as is the wiring. You do add a short piece of hose between the manifold and the pump. Relatively simple install. The other optional addition would be a switch in the area of the shower wired back to the pump which will allow you to operate the pump manually if the manifold "switch" does not operate. I have seen that a few times. I simply apply a temporary ground to the connector on the pump that is specifically for this purpose and it is all set for some time. Hope that helps. I added a picture of the pump I am talking about.

 

[Knotty Dog]

Thank you so much for the extra information. We'll check the drain for the icebox to see if the PO did anything with that and also check the brand of the current pump.
kind regards,
~ Linda

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Keeping a sump clean, sweet smelling and the pump running freely is one of the easiest jobs on a boat--the only one I know of that requires -0- manual labor.

Raritan "C.P. Cleans Potties" is a bio-enzymatic cleaning product that Raritan only markets as a toilet bowl cleaner, but it's also the best sump and drain cleaner on the planet because not only does it destroy odors on contact, but the enzymes "eat" soap scum, hair, body oils and all those other things that go down a shower drain...and all you need to do to use it pour a couple of ounce down the shower drain into the sump when it can stand at least overnight (the enzymes need time to work). You can even use it when preparing to leave the boat 'cuz it can stay in the sump for year without harming anything. Sink drains: close the seacock and pour about an ounce down the drain, then fill it with water....again, when it can stand at least overnight. Cleans 'em out like a penny whistle. Use once a week if you live aboard, every couple of weeks or so if you're a "weekend warrior."

 

[Knotty Dog]

I love that stuff! We use it on our existing boat loo and have never had any nasty odours. I will be sure to use it as you advise in the drains and the shower sump also.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions.
Regards,
~ Linda

 

[artboas]

Hunter is very fond of the cheapo atwood sump boxes that have a high propensity for failure. I've stopped using them and replaced with Whale gulper pumps. Replacing the forward one this weekend. Expensive but worth it. I have the IC one that turns itself on and off (most of the time).

The Whale IC sump pump system is absolutely the BEST sump system on the market.
In my opinion there are 2 types of boat owners.
The first one spends endless hours fixing, unclogging, and cursing at their Attwood (and equivalent ) plastic sump boxes, which can't deal with more than 3 strands of hair before it wraps around the motor spindle.

The second type of owner bites the bullet, and installs the Whale Gulper with IC sensing. It just works from day one, and as long as you winterized it properly, you'll never need to touch it