Installing shower sump on 340

[Mike Kinney]

I am asking for input from some of the brethren on installing a shower sump on the 340. I know Dak Jim and others have already completed this installation. My plan is to install the unit in the aft bilge compartment; however, I am entertaining the notion of installing it in the main bilge area so that it can be placed lower and allow the shower to drain more quickly. There is one self-contained bilge sump featured in the annual Boat US catalog. This unit accommodates three different hose inputs. Can anyone tell me if this unit will fit in the aft bilge area? Secondly, would someone describe how they wired the sump? Did you tie into the bilge pump wiring or go to the distribution panel, or....Thanks for the help!

 

[Chris Van Lauwe]

Shower sump upgrade to 340

Our shower sump sits in the rear bilge area. It is wired off of the bilge pump. We have a separate line to a thru hull above the waterline. The pump is enclosed in plastic container about 3 inches high 6 wide 10" long. Fits in the bilge and drains the shower great.Chris

 

[Wynn Ferrel]

Maybe not "great"

My dealer installed the drain on my 340 exactly the way Chris described in his post. However, mine drains the shower SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLY. But, it drains. If anyone has any advice for speeding the draining of the shower, I would appreciate it. My personal opinion is it is a matter of gravity (drop in the line) and the size of the hose. And I don't think I can do much about either.Wynn FerrelS/V Tranquility

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

Consider Beneteau Solution

Rather than a true sump, Beneteau (Moorings 405) provides a pump directly from the shower floor drain to the outside apparently without an actual sump. The advantages are that the pump "sucks" the water from the bottom of the shower rather than waiting for it to run 3 feet to the bilge or to a self contained pump/sump box.Disadvantage, unless there is a check valve, some will drain back into the shower floor. But it drains the shower in a hurry. You only run it when the water is high enough in the shower to justify it, or at the end of the shower.Saves one the cost of the sump box <grin>.

 

[Jim Logan]

Shower Sump on 340

Mike: We have a 33, so I can't directly comment on your 340 shower sump, but you might want to think about our experience before you install. The 33 has a shower sump with a box and separate pump in the aft bilge (under the battery boxes!) It has to be serviced occasionally because of hair, dirt and other things that get in showers and eventually clog the pump. I think a better solution is to run the shower into the main bilge, if that is possible on the 340, and put a second pump in the bilge on a separate circuit. That way, you have backup bilge pump protection, and the pump can be easily serviced.By the way, Cecily says hi.

 

[Mike Kinney]

Thanks for the help

Hey Guys, you've caused me to think about this some. I think I'll look at the possibility of mounting the shower sump as low as possible in the forward bilge. This would allow the shower to drain quickly and would allow the shower sump to serve as a backup bilge pump should the water in the forward bilge rise sufficiently high. This is a concern because,after not visiting the boat for several weeks, I once found the water in the bilge to be just about an inch below the cabin floor. A wire on the bilge pump switch had failed.