SHOWER ON A RIVAL 32?

alisdair4

alisdair4

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Isle of Bute
midnightdrifter.net
I previously asked the question about domestic HW on a Rival, and got lots of helpful information, for which thank you! This question concerns where the water goes.
On a Rival 32, the heads compartment is in the "tradtional" place between the saloon and the forecabin. If I replace the existing floorboard with a grating, the water from a shower will drain into the bilge (via the limber holes). Therafter, it can be pumped out via the main pump, or better, an electric pump driven by a float switch which I am planning to install anyway. The boat has a very deep bilge, so flooding shouldn't be a problem.

Does anyone see a flaw with this - better still, has anyone done such an installation to arival or similar?

Thanks in advance.
 
A friend of mine did what you are proposing (If I understand you correctly) and ended up with a very smelly boat And the whole bilge had to be regularly disinfected. (Smelt like a drain)

We modified the system by installing a small pump and float switch in a 5ltr ice cream tub positioned in the bilge to collect the shower water
all the shower water was then pumped out from the container which was easily removed for washing.
 
The trouble would be that 'grey water' would make your bilges smell. Also its amazing how much hair and rubbish you would get bunging up limber holes etc.

A tray is the only proper solution..actually I hate showers on boats! I have a fairly decent space on mine but have only rarely used it..I dont like all that condensation and water splashing all over the heads.

However my instalation has a grp tray with an electric pump to dump the water straight over the side...of course the electric pump always packs up due to hair and crud.. I am informed that a small bilge pump is a better way.

I suppose it depends who you sail with and how long one is away from home/ marinas etc.

Good luck, Nick
 
Been there, done that. Don't do it. As others have said, it makes for a smelly bilge. You can get a sump system from Rule or Attwood comprising an enclosed sump box with a pump sitting in it. I had the Attwood one and it was excellent. You'll need a small shower tray (caravan shop?) which then pipes to the sump system.
 
It's not an uncommon solution from some yards so I presume it works for some people though I've never fancied it myself. A shower on board though is Brilliant, especially in places which charge for showers, and you can even shower while motoring if you want. You need a good sized water tank.
 
I`ve just fitted the sealed box with the integral pump and float switch ( cost about £100) and it works ok but not really fast enough and the shower tray floods …I think I need to replace the shower head with one that delivers less….at the moment I just turn it down…..
 
Years ago had a shower, but it was out on deck - no drainage problems there, but it was a little cooler. Hoisting the solar shower bag up halyard, at night (less visible) it was adequate if crude.
 
You don t really want to go this route unless you keep an adequate supply of green bilge cleaner on board to kill the bugs in the deep bilge before they smell and offend your female crew....
 
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