shower installation

[michaelmrc]

good day everyone. we have a little catalina 27 great little boat but my wife was wondering what would be involved in installing a shower in it. not sure about this myself but hey thought id ask. thanks

[Duke 48]

My previous boat was a Catalina with a cold water shower. There was a shower nozzle in the head supplied by the fresh water pump. It wasn't a comfortable water temp during the spring and late fall, but it did help in removing the suntan lotion before crawling into the v-berth on a hot summer's night.

Obviously, a hot water shower would be more complicated, but it could be done. If you have an inboard engine there is probably enough room under the cockpit for a small ~ one gal. thank. If you are using an outboard there is the possibility of adapting a camping type propane heating system. Though how the camping type system could be installed and used safely would be a concern.

[Québec 1]

The easiest and cheapest for a small boat is a Zodi!
159$..click on the link and see

enjoy hot water anytime anywhere with zodi on demand hot water and portable hot showers, over 40 camping comfort products


You can just put it on your boat stove top. I heat up my zodi on my origo alcohol stove top
Q1

[rebel heart]

Another good technique is to use a solar shower. It's portable so you can use it on deck when conditions are appropriate. When it's sunny but there's mixed company about, you can run the hose through the portlight in the head (provided you have a shower sump in the head). If it's cold, and mixed company, just fill the bag up with water from the stove mixed with regular water.

It might not be for everyone, but it's cheap and flexible.

[Jim Quibell]

Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply

[Strygaldwir]

I have two showers on board and still use the solar showers. They are great! Don't have to run engines to heat the water, don't have to have electricity to pump.

[theonecalledtom]

Without a shower sump the hair skin etc that runs off ends up in the bilge. I haven't done this yet but it looks quite straightforward to install a sump that pumps out to an existing thruhull.

[Celestialsailor]

As far as hair in the bilge or stinky shower water for that matter. I find these little gems are worth the money.

[cat man do]

These are good, used them for showers for months at a time.



http://www.rockaroundtheblock.com.au...ID=140&c=42940

Put in a couple of litres of hot from the kettle if thats your thing and they have spray and jet.

My partner could wash her long hair and shower and use about 3 litres and I'd use the rest, so 2 showers for 5 litres total.

These often sell in the Oz version of home depot for about $7

Dave

[nautical62]

Sunshowers may seem basic, but their utility shouldn't be under rated. Water can be warmed in the sun, or you can easily warm water on your stove. They are inexpensive and prevent anyone from using up most of your water tank water. They can be filled before a short trip and will conform to oddly shapped places including the bilge, so it enables you to bring more water, rather than stretch your tank water further.

Regardless of what delivery system you use, if people shower inside, you should install a proper shower sump as mentioned in above posts. Letting wash water drain into the bilge can cause all sorts of trouble. If you decide to use your boats water tank, you can install a head sink tap that comes out to be used as a shower or install a separate shower tap. Make sure it turns off easily or people will waste water. I prefer one that actively needs to triggered open if using a pressurized water system.

Even though I have shower factory installed in my Beneteau, I rarely let people use it. The issues of clogged sumps, high water use, wet toilet paper, and humidity in the boat just are not worth it considering the cockpit is more spacious, was designed to drain water and has an ocean load of salt water readily availalble. I realize, of course, climate and your wife's temperment come into play.