I have had a problem with Water coming up through the shower drain after sailing. This is especially evident when I am sailing hard and healing. Once I am back at the dock, I can run the sump and vacate the water. My question is it possible for water to come through the through hole will under sail?
Shower Drain
- Thread starter Everett14920
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Yes...it's very possible...
Although your shower sump thru-hull is above the waterline when the boat is at rest, it's under water when you're heeled on that side. When the thru-hull location, angle of heel, and sea conditions combine just right, water can be forced up the hose through an open thru-hull by pressure of the hull against it...an effect known as "ram water." The same effect can also turn sinks into fountains, floods holding tanks and overflows many a marine toilet. The solution is simple: put a seacock on that thru-hull and keep it closed while sailing.
Although your shower sump thru-hull is above the waterline when the boat is at rest, it's under water when you're heeled on that side. When the thru-hull location, angle of heel, and sea conditions combine just right, water can be forced up the hose through an open thru-hull by pressure of the hull against it...an effect known as "ram water." The same effect can also turn sinks into fountains, floods holding tanks and overflows many a marine toilet. The solution is simple: put a seacock on that thru-hull and keep it closed while sailing.
Cherubini 33?
If your boat is the Cherubini 33, water in the head pan is just a fact of life when heeled on port tack. The shower sump has a flat bottom and the shower pump can't pump it completely dry. Thus when heeled on port, the water just runs out into the head pan. Good opportunity to use a sponge and thus have a dry shower sump. On the other possibility of water actually being forced into the shower sump through the through hull, the discharge line should have a bend going as high as possible before exiting at the through hull. On my 79 H33 I have end and have never had water flowing from through hull into the shower sump.
If your boat is the Cherubini 33, water in the head pan is just a fact of life when heeled on port tack. The shower sump has a flat bottom and the shower pump can't pump it completely dry. Thus when heeled on port, the water just runs out into the head pan. Good opportunity to use a sponge and thus have a dry shower sump. On the other possibility of water actually being forced into the shower sump through the through hull, the discharge line should have a bend going as high as possible before exiting at the through hull. On my 79 H33 I have end and have never had water flowing from through hull into the shower sump.
Close the thu-hull
Everett, I noticed that you have a new 33 based on an earlier post in the mid-size forum. I too have a new 33 and know there is a valve at the thru-hull. If you look on top of the hanging locker in the aft cabin, you will see a wood cover that is marked shower sump drain - the valve is behind the cover. I have never felt the need to close it, but it sounds like you bury the rail on a regular basis. Enjoy your new boat. Barry Bear Necessity H33 #128
Everett, I noticed that you have a new 33 based on an earlier post in the mid-size forum. I too have a new 33 and know there is a valve at the thru-hull. If you look on top of the hanging locker in the aft cabin, you will see a wood cover that is marked shower sump drain - the valve is behind the cover. I have never felt the need to close it, but it sounds like you bury the rail on a regular basis. Enjoy your new boat. Barry Bear Necessity H33 #128
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