Shower pump/drain

[sscales]

I have a 2005 Catalina 400. The rear shower has an electric pump to pump out the water that accumlates in the bottom drain section of the share--this is a space that is below the floor and has a lid over it. The problem is that the pump only pumps out the water down to about two inches--thus I am alwyas left with water that I use a cup to take out.

Does anyone have this same problem and do you have any solutions or ideas. (Catalina had suggestued I drill a hole and let the water drain into the bilge-- but that makes the factory installed electric pump system useless-- plus I do not want shower water draining into the bilge) thanks, Steve

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Only a guess, but the 2 inches of water that remains might be the water in the hose that relaxes back to the sump when the pump is turned off.

 

[Stu Jackson]

What it could be: a failure of the check valve in the line from the sump to the pump.

 

[Chris Burti]

On the C-320 this occurs because the outlet fitting is on the side of the shower sump and the diameter of the flange forces the bottom of the tubing to be located up an inch or so. There is inadequate access to correct the problem with a bottom mounted outlet with an ell. I'm guessing that there is not room for one either or Gerry Douglas would have put one in to begin with. A large absorbant sponge has worked prettey well for us for almost 10 years.

 

[Tom Soko]

Steve,
If there are any soap suds left in the shower sump, I normally add more fresh water and let it all get pumped overboard. Once the remaining water is clear, I lift up the float switch until the pump is sucking air. After that happens there is less than 1" remaining, and if I will be away from the boat for more than a week or two, I sponge out the last bit. Access to the underside of the shower sump is just about impossible, unless I have missed something.