Installing a Shower in a Smaller Boat

Curmudgeon · 31-07-2008, 17:59

I'm in the market for a boat in the 27-30 ft range. Two options are the Albin Vega 27 and Norsea 27. These boats have heads, but no showers.

Is it possible to retrofit showers in these boats, and if so, how? A sun shower or portable shower won't do it it: it needs to be a hot "indoor" shower.

I'd be willing to give up the forward v-berth for this purpose so long as one of the settees in the main cabin folded out into a full double.

Also, what's the best way to install additional water tankage in a smaller boat?

Your advice would be much appreciated.

Chief Engineer · 31-07-2008, 18:19

In the crews quarters on a 85 foot sailing yacht i worked/lived aboard we had a shower. The head was in the overhead...not a nozzle...it came straight down.
The shower area was curtained off to keep the head and "vanity" dry. The showere curtain was in a track that was about 2.5 feet on a side.

There was a small lip at the bottom on the deck that caught the water.

they were some of the best sham dowers I ever took!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

s/v 'Faith' · 31-07-2008, 18:22

About the best one I have seen is the one Frank put in the v-berth of his Ariel 'Revival'. Here is a link to it on the PearsonAriel.org owners site.

Many of the mods he did on his Ariel are worth taking a look at for other small cruising boats. He did some amazing work to that boat.

Curmudgeon · 31-07-2008, 19:11

Incredible work. Beautiful result. Unfortunately I could not do something like that in a million years. I have neither the skills nor the time. Is there a solution that a decent boatyard could accomplish for something less than the cost of a brand new boat?

Chief Engineer · 02-08-2008, 21:55

Keep comin to this board...people may give you ideas...and you can avoid being held hostage by a "yard"

Morgan 27 · 11-01-2009, 23:24

Cheap...plumb the heater part into your system or leave it as is. Works very well. Shower curtain on a ceiling hung rod for your stall...

Zodi On Demand Hot Water & Portable Hot Showers

31-07-2008, 17:59	#1
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 431	Installing a Shower in a Smaller Boat I'm in the market for a boat in the 27-30 ft range. Two options are the Albin Vega 27 and Norsea 27. These boats have heads, but no showers. Is it possible to retrofit showers in these boats, and if so, how? A sun shower or portable shower won't do it it: it needs to be a hot "indoor" shower. I'd be willing to give up the forward v-berth for this purpose so long as one of the settees in the main cabin folded out into a full double. Also, what's the best way to install additional water tankage in a smaller boat? Your advice would be much appreciated.

11-01-2009, 23:24	#6
Morgan 27 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Beaufort SC Boat: Morgan 27 OSPREY Posts: 7 Images: 3	Cheap...plumb the heater part into your system or leave it as is. Works very well. Shower curtain on a ceiling hung rod for your stall... Zodi On Demand Hot Water & Portable Hot Showers __________________ So much for common sense...

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31-07-2008, 18:19	#2
Chief Engineer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North of Baltimore Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat Posts: 1,950	In the crews quarters on a 85 foot sailing yacht i worked/lived aboard we had a shower. The head was in the overhead...not a nozzle...it came straight down. The shower area was curtained off to keep the head and "vanity" dry. The showere curtain was in a track that was about 2.5 feet on a side. There was a small lip at the bottom on the deck that caught the water. they were some of the best sham dowers I ever took!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

31-07-2008, 18:22	#3
s/v 'Faith' Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Crusing between NC, Bahamas, & Pensacola FL Boat: 1964 Pearson Ariel 'Faith' Posts: 413	About the best one I have seen is the one Frank put in the v-berth of his Ariel 'Revival'. Here is a link to it on the PearsonAriel.org owners site. Many of the mods he did on his Ariel are worth taking a look at for other small cruising boats. He did some amazing work to that boat.

31-07-2008, 19:11	#4
Curmudgeon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Boat: Sam Devlin Custom 28.5 Posts: 431	Incredible work. Beautiful result. Unfortunately I could not do something like that in a million years. I have neither the skills nor the time. Is there a solution that a decent boatyard could accomplish for something less than the cost of a brand new boat?

02-08-2008, 21:55	#5
Chief Engineer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North of Baltimore Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat Posts: 1,950	Keep comin to this board...people may give you ideas...and you can avoid being held hostage by a "yard"