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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Has Anybody Added a Shower

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lhooks
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/13/2003 : 21:58:49

Has anyone added a shower to a 250 head?
If so, how did handle drainage?

Leonard Hooks 250WK
Waco, TX

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2003 : 07:14:25

Leonard,

Your question about adding a shower to the c250's head is the first time I recall the concept raised on this forum. I've not given the concept any previous thought but I'm guessing it could be done. The lip under the door is marginal but would likely handle a low volumn shower wand.

The area under the floor is minimal and hard to reach for installing a drain on the water ballast, it may be more possible on the wing. To drain into the bilge on the water ballast would not be a good choice as the bilge is not intended to run wet as doing so will incur water on the sole of the settee lockers.

I've taken many hand baths in the head while seated and that works ok.

A blaster pump has proven to be very versitile and one of my boats best upgrades. Mine is rigged to draw either from the fresh water tanks or seacock. A 15 ft hose coils just inside the galley door and is ready for instant use any where on the boat and is often used for showering in the cockpit.

For the occassional warm shower, a solar shower is on board.

I'm thinking that a shower tent in the cockpit would be an easier way to go than the head.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2003 : 20:31:17

In a recent Cruising World workbench article(can't remember which issue?), a nifty shower pan was installed so water wouldn't be sent to the bilge. If memory serves me correctly, in the article they cut a 12" square hole in the floor of the head compartment and replaced it with 12" X 12" teak grating, the kind you would find in a cockpit. Beneath this teak grating between the cabin sole and the hull, they placed a cake pan that was larger than the 12" x 12" hole. Inside of this cake pan, they placed a small automatic bilge pump. When someone took a shower the water ran down through the teak grating into the cake pan. Once contained in the pan the bilge pump would turn on and empty the pan to an overboard discharge.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2003 : 09:25:06

Leonard

Are you also looking for a source for a "Hot Water" shower? Have you ever looked at the "Zodi" line of instant hot water showers? Looks real neat..... I don't have one, but have thought about getting one. Check them out at: [www.zodi.com]

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

Edited by - jguyot on 01/15/2003 14:51:52

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2003 : 09:49:08

Jerry,

I tried the link, it doesn't seem to work. Does the water heater you're taking about run on propane?

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

Edited by - Bryan Beamer on 01/15/2003 09:50:28

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jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2003 : 14:54:27

Hi Bryan

Sorry about that..... Try the link now.....It should work<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Yes, it does run on propane.... Check it out!!

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2003 : 13:48:48

I am about to add a shower to Triska. Although she is not a Catalina part of the idea might be used by your group. To collect the water Im using a stainless steel pan under the grate. Its the same type you see in the delie section of your store. Its fitted with a drain similar to a sink type near one corner. Tygon tube goes from it to the bildge where the grey water flows to and is picked up by #1 bilge pump and pumped overboard. My bilge is almost 4'deep so this plan works for me. In the Catalina bilge its shallow so you may need to build a dam at each end of the area or run the drain directly into a pump. Capacity isnt a problem here as there is not a large volume of water used. The pump would need to be one that could be run dry. One more thought. Your local RV store is a much cheaper source of parts.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2003 : 15:33:06

Doug's method is what the Catalina dealer recommended for my new C250WK. I'm going to try it.

I've also looked around quite a bit for a inexpensive, energy efficient way of making hot water, and I'm probably going to go with the Zodi <http://www.zodi.com/products.html> setup.

al

Edited by - on

lhooks
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2003 : 19:55:53

Here is the water heater that I plan
to use - once I figure out how to
drain the water -

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=56283

Leonard Hooks 250WK
Waco, TX

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2003 : 20:32:30

<b>"Tygon tube goes from it to the bilge where the grey water flows to and is picked up by #1 bilge pump and pumped overboard. My bilge is almost 4'deep so this plan works for me."</b>

Are you planning on just running the gray water from the shower directly into the bilge or into a container in the bilge that gets pumped overboard?

If you are just going to the bilge, I know it's only shower water, but have you ever seen the inside of a shower drain pipe(it's not the prettiest sight)?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

Sailor Vic
1st Mate

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56 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2003 : 22:15:56

Ihooks,

Funny that you show that model of tankless water heater.

I actually have been selling that exact model and brand since 1995. Unlike Westmarine though, we stock it and our price is a LOT lower.

See: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/eemaxso.html

You can also see the mfrs site at: www.eemax.com

Eemax makes a great quality product and it is made in the U.S.

BUT:

the "problem" with that unit for YOUR situation is:

a) It doesn't produce a lot of heat and you might not be happy with the small heat rise (the brand isn't the problem. It's the amount of electricity....not enough electricity to produce a lot of heat rise).

This 120 volt unit only produces a heat rise of 33 degrees (and that's at at a mere 1/2 gallon per minute).

Sure, "better than nothing" but not much better for all of the troubles and expense that you'll be going through in my book.

b) If there is air in the line (highly likely in your situation) the element WILL burn out.

Vic

Leon's Dream #660 250WK - Lake Oroville (No. California)

<img src="http://www.plumbingsupply.com/images/vic-smilesailing2002.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2003 : 11:14:14

What "cooled" me to a tankless solution was their enormous appetite for electricity (20A for the eeMax, similar for others), necessary because of their ability to provide sufficient heating capacity on demand, without a tank.

If that's an issue for you, one compromise solution might be the Ariston mini-tank <http://www.electricwaterheaters.com/ariston/index.htm>. It comes in 2.5, 4, and 6 gal. versions. It's a little bulky, won't supply unlimited hot water like a tankless, but "only" uses 12.5A.

I've mentioned before that I'm going with the Zodi propane setup on my new C250WK--but I've still got my eye on the Ariston...

thanks...al

Edited by - on

Sailor Vic
1st Mate

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56 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2003 : 23:35:12

Good choice as far as quality also. :-) :-)

We have sold many hundreds of the Ariston models as well. :-)

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/ariston.html

It's a good unit/brand but recognize that you need (comes with) a temperature and pressure relief valve with the Ariston (not necessary with the Eemax) which, if you are conscientious, and care about safety, "should" be piped to the outside of your boat.

In addition, air getting to that element will also burn out the element quickly.

Vic
Leon's Dream #660 250wk
(and owner of the largest and most famous Internet plumbing supply company since 1995)

Edited by - on

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