Kristian Ferrell
On a boat, shower water goes down the drain and into a sump, which is then emptied by a sump pump. The water is then discharged overboard by the bilge pumps. However, some boats have a line that discharges grey water to a holding tank. This is known as the 'black water holding tank'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where does shower water go? | Out to the body of water, via the bilge |
| What is the bilge? | A sump, or a holding tank |
| What is the difference between a boat and an RV? | RVs have separate grey water holding tanks |
| What is the standard shower system? | Two water systems: the water supply system, and the grey water side of the system |
| What is the grey water side of the system? | The shower sump, drain pump, a float switch, possibly a strainer, the overboard discharge line or a line that discharges grey water to a holding tank |
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What You'll Learn
Shower water goes out to the body of water
The shower water on a boat goes out to the body of water, but via a different means to the sink. The shower drain in the floor routes the water back into the bilge, where the bilge pumps pick it up and toss it overboard. This is a standard shower system, which consists of two water systems: the water supply system that delivers hot and cold water to the faucets and the shower-spray head, and the drain, or grey water side of the system.
The drain, or grey water side of the system, consists of the shower sump, drain pump, a float switch, possibly a strainer, and the overboard discharge line or a line that discharges grey water to a holding tank. The water flows from the showerhead and is collected in the shower drain sump; the water level activates the sump pump float switch that turns on the water pump to empty the sump.
On many smaller yachts, the shower is positioned right above the toilet. When using it, you must be sure the toilet lid is closed, so you do not prematurely fill up your black water holding tank.
It is important to note that shower water is full of hair, soap scum, body oils, etc, which can turn the water into a "primordial soup" that can make the whole boat smell unpleasant. Therefore, it is recommended to use special biodegradable soaps, usually marked as containing 'no phosphates', when showering and washing up on a boat.
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The shower drain routes water back into the bilge
It is important to note that shower water contains hair, soap scum, and body oils, which can cause a build-up of unpleasant odours on the boat if not properly managed. To avoid this, it is recommended to use special biodegradable soaps when showering on a boat, as these are marked as containing 'no phosphates'.
Additionally, on smaller yachts, the shower is often positioned above the toilet. When using the shower, it is crucial to ensure that the toilet lid is closed to prevent the black water holding tank from filling up prematurely.
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Bilge pumps pick up water and toss it overboard
On many smaller yachts, the shower is positioned right above the toilet. When using it, you must be sure the toilet lid is closed so you do not prematurely fill up your black water holding tank.
A standard shower system consists of two water systems: the water supply system, which delivers hot and cold water to the faucets and the shower-spray head, and the drain or grey water side of the system. The grey water side of the system consists of the shower sump, drain pump, a float switch, possibly a strainer, the overboard discharge line or a line that discharges grey water to a holding tank.
It is important to note that shower water is full of hair, soap scum, body oils, etc, which can turn the water into a "primordial soup" that can make the whole boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. Therefore, it is important to shower and wash up with special biodegradable soaps, usually marked as containing 'no phosphates'.
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The shower sump, drain pump and float switch are part of the drain system
On many smaller yachts, the shower is positioned right above the toilet. When using it, you must be sure the toilet lid is closed, so you do not prematurely fill up your black water holding tank. The shower drain in the floor routes the water back into the bilge, where it is pumped overboard.
It is important to note that shower water is full of hair, soap scum, body oils, and other substances that can turn the water into a "primordial soup" that can make the whole boat smell unpleasant. Therefore, it is essential to use special biodegradable soaps, usually marked as containing 'no phosphates', when showering and washing up on a boat.
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You need to use special biodegradable soaps when showering on a boat
When showering on a boat, the water goes down the drain and is collected in the shower sump. The water level activates the sump pump float switch, which turns on the water pump to empty the sump. The shower drain in the floor routes the water back into the bilge, where the bilge pumps pick it up and toss it overboard.
It is important to use special biodegradable soaps when showering on a boat. These soaps are usually marked as containing 'no phosphates' and are gentler on common boat surfaces such as gelcoat, canvas, carpet, clear enclosures, vinyl, high-density plastics and your boat's wax finish. They are also more eco-friendly than other soaps.
There are several biodegradable soaps on the market that are suitable for boats, including Meguiar's 54 Gel Wash, which is formulated with biodegradable, pH-balanced detergents that produce high-sudsing action to remove surface contaminants. Another option is Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, which has a minty yet slightly acerbic smell.
When using biodegradable soaps on a boat, it is important to follow the recommended concentrations. For example, Meguiar's 54 Gel Wash recommends one capful, or one good squirt from the dispenser top, per gallon of water. Star brite Sea Safe Boat Wash recommends one ounce per cup of water for general cleaning and a one-to-one ratio for heavy-duty cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Shower water on a boat goes out to the body of water, but via a different means to the sink.
The shower drain in the floor routes the water back into the bilge where the bilge pumps pick it up and toss it overboard.
RVs have separate grey water holding tanks, whereas on a boat, the shower water goes straight out to the body of water.
The standard shower system consists of two water systems: the water supply system and the drain (or grey water side of the system).
The drain, or grey water side of the system, consists of the shower sump, drain pump, a float switch, possibly a strainer, the overboard discharge line or a line that discharges grey water to a holding tank.
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