[C320-list] Shower Sump

[Utility Email]

An added remark about the sump pump icebox drain design on the C320.  On a previous boat, a Hunter 30, that we had, the icebox drained to the bilge.  I didn't like this setup as small crumbs of food, drips of milk, juice from lunchmeat, etc ended up in the bilge water.  If the bilge wasn't immediate cleaned, it would end up smelly because of the organic matter in the icebox drain water.  

I find that having the icebox drain by the shower sump keeps this organic matter out of our bilge and cleaning the icebox is really a lot easier than cleaning the bilge.  I just hose out the icebox, flip the y-valve, and pump out the icebox wash water until it runs clear.  

Anyway, some additional thoughts about the C320 sump pump design that I like. 

Dave

Dave Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA

On Apr 10, 2011, at 5:12 PM, "Stephen Cox" <scox at timmin.com> wrote:

>> 
>> Interesting. On my hull, built just 28 before yours, the 
>> icebox drain goes to a "Y valve" that uses a pump to drain 
>> either the shower or the icebox depending on where it is set. 
>> Same as Dave's. I guess draining to the bilge saves the cost 
>> of a valve and doesn't add much water to the bilge. On the 
>> positive side, your arraignment avoids the problem of the 
>> icebox filling with water until I remember to run the drain. 
>> Your setup also has less to go wrong and doesn't require you 
>> to climb under the sink to turn a valve.
>> Overall it might be an improvement.
>> 
> 
> My Mk II also doesn't have the Y valve, just draining to the bilge.  The
> problem is the hose is quite short rather than going all the way to the
> bilge sump.  Thus if anything sticky, gooey or messy goes down the ice box
> drain it gets spread over potentially quite an area before making its way to
> the sump.  No doubt saves a few dollars for Catalina but its penny pinching
> in my view.  Much harder for us owners to fit another hose once its all
> assembled. 
> 
> I have also had my shower sump pump refuse to prime even after cleaning out
> the filter.  Had to dismantle the whole pump, which was quite an effort to
> get out from under the head sink cabinet, to find the smallest bit of
> whatever preventing one of the inbuilt valves from closing fully.  It was
> enough to stop it working.  
> 
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141
> 
>