You are currently viewing Efficiently Draining Bilge and Shower Water on a Boat
drain nozzle idea

Efficiently Draining Bilge and Shower Water on a Boat

Sick of Standing Water in the Shower? I Was Too, Until I Found the Perfect Solution! 🚿

Hey there, fellow boat enthusiasts! 👋

Today, I want to share a little annoyance that used to bother me onboard my boat – the stubborn problem of water pooling in the shower and the bilge. Unlike the bilge, where water is usually absent except after we’ve cleaned the boat with fresh water, the shower always has water standing after each shower we took. It’s not just the inconvenience; it can also lead to unpleasant odors, especially in warm weather. Trust me; I’ve been there, and it’s not a pleasant experience. 😩

The Ingenious Solution 💡

The issue lies in the design of the standard round nozzle used for draining. These nozzles tend to suck in water from all directions in a 360° radius. Now, here’s the catch: with a diameter of about 3 cm, they struggle when the water level drops below 3 cm, sucking in air instead of water.

So, what’s the solution, you ask? Well, I had a solution in mind. This nozzle would need to be flat so it could snugly rest on the bottom and suck as close to the water’s surface as possible. Sounds simple enough, right? 🤔

I set out on a mission to find such a nozzle in the hardware stores, but no luck. Maybe I just didn’t know the right name for this part. That’s when my friend Matthias and I decided to take matters into our own hands and craft a prototype ourselves.

Crafting the Prototype 🛠️

boat bilge and shower drain

Matthias is my trusty partner in DIY crime. He took charge of designing and expertly milling the nozzle out of a pom block. What’s more, he attached a stainless steel mesh to the opening. This mesh served a dual purpose – it helped in retaining dirt particles while making it incredibly easy to clean.

A design feature was that the mesh was positioned 2-3 mm above the ground, ensuring that it didn’t make direct contact with the bottom.

The Satisfying Results 🎉

And guess what? The results were nothing short of fantastic! Our custom nozzle drained all the water away flawlessly. Thanks to its flat design, the mesh was a breeze to clean, making it ideal for both the shower drain and the bilge pump. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and it’s made life onboard so much more enjoyable. 

So, if you’ve been annoyed by the persistent water pockets in your boat’s shower or bilge, I hope this little DIY adventure inspires you to find your own creative solutions. Who knows, you might just stumble upon something as effective and satisfying as our custom nozzle! 

Until next time, happy sailing, my fellow boaters! ⚓

If you followed me to the end of this blog , you may like these T-Shirts:

 

at Le Coeur Vert Boutique

Leave a Reply