Our Shower Sump Overflowed & Flooded The Bilge!!

An unexpected flood in the boat after the float switch failed in the sump well while having a shower. fortunately, I had a replacement switch onboard so repairs were easy enough - apart from having to dry out that bilge area + my tools which are stored there 😩
For a look at all of the projects I've done (continue to do) on this beautiful Sea Ray Sundancer, as well as on our previous boats, have a look at nearly 100 projects in my 'How I Did It - Boat Repairs And Upgrades' playlist, here; • How I Did It - Boat Re...
Be sure to check out the rest of our 'Summer Cruise 2022' series, as we cruised for 5-1/2 weeks through much of Ontario, Canada's lovely 240 mile/386 km Trent Severn Waterway and even reaching the Rideau Canal for a few days! Full playlist can be found here; • Summer 2022 Cruise
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Filmed June, 2023.
Boat Specs;
- Model: 1998 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer
- Length (bow to transom): 37-6", LOA (with factory swim platform): 40'-1"
- Beam: 12'-7"
- Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre (454 Cubic Inch) Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline,
raw water cooled, rated at 310 HP
- Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
- Performance: Average cruising speed 22MPH on plane @ 3,200 RPM
- Dry Weight: 17,000 lbs
- Fully Loaded Weight: Boat + Fuel (1,664) + Water (580) + Gear (1,250 +/-) = 20,500 LBS
- Fuel Capacity: 275 U.S. gallons ~ 1,040 litres * Usable Capacity 261 US Gallons ~ 989 litres
- Freshwater Holding Tank Capacity: 70 US Gallons ~ 58.3 Imperial Gallons ~ 265 litres
- Poop Holding Tank Capacity: 40 US Gallons ~ 33.3 Imperial Gallons ~ 151 litres
- Draft: 32”
- Dead Rise: 20 degrees
- Generator: Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated, 3,600 RPM continuous engine speed
- Dual reverse cycle heating/air conditioning units, 19,000 (total) BTU (12 + 7)

[@jetlag4754]

To help with smell and to keep my sumps clean I put a little bilge cleaner down my shower drain when I leave the boat for the week. Helps to keep it clean and stink free.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Good idea 👍

[@jameslinderman6825]

Would hydrogen peroxide do the trick?

[@david_lbz1286]

Good afternoon Paul. I actually meant to send you this last season. Those kids water squirters work great to suck up nasty shower box water, bilge water… etc. I think they are called “H2O blasters” at the dollar store. I’ve been using them for the last couple years. They work great!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Great idea! We actually have a couple on the boat,but use them mainly to scare away the geese 🦆🤣

[@clevjam]

Hey Paul, Well done on that unexpected project. I have a quick question for you.............. Were you able to find a zip tie? 😎

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

No. I found about a thousand 😜

[@rstevens3221]

Good work replacing the float switch, I have a 42 Sea Ray and I just ordered a new shower sump with electronic float switch and pump in the box. My old Rule box lid was cracked and let water into the same compartment. The float switch also failed last year.Thanks for the video tracing the problem to the float switch.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I like the idea of the electronic float switch,might look into that for next season. Thanks for the heads up. Just be sure to clean the leads for the switch so they don't get out of service. Probably an annual check, but something to remember.

[@christopherozolins4724]

great video !just cleaned sump on my 370 wish i knew manual on/off on blue float switch trick ! #time saver

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Glad it helped!!

[@danadiggins793]

When I watched your tool storage video all I could think about was what would happen when the sump pump fails…ask me how I know. I don’t store anything down there. And my back up bilge pumps didn’t work either. I had quite a mess.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

When we first bought this boat, I thought to myself that it was so clean and dry down there - a perfect area to safely store my tools 😂

[@robertfink4147]

Back when you showed the tool storage video I had the thought about sump overflow and water in that compartment.....ask me how I know

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

D'oh! I guess lesson learned for both of us 🙄

[@KM-fs4sg]

Paul it’s not a real fix if you have not used duct tape, silly putty or flex seal. Tie wraps don’t count😂😂😂

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Next time I'm gonna have to consult with Red Green 🤣

[@SeaRay380DA]

This happened to me last year in my forward bilge when a water line going to the shower cracked. Needless to say I no longer keep anything in that compartment.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I'm gonna keep my tools in that area - and a closer watch on the float/pump. I like living on the edge 😉

[@kentnilsen6174]

Good timing! I had the same problem the other day, and you solved it for me! Thanks!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Glad I could help! If you get a chance, check out my previous video that reviews all of the (dry) tools I carry onboard the boat.

[@DarcyCole]

Same wkd same problem but my fix was a corroded wire father back in harness . That took a bit to find but it works after reconnection

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Always fun fixing things on the boat, isn't it 🤣

[@daveschultz3132]

Seams there are always projects to do when you own a boat. I’m trying to learn not to get upset (upset is not the word I was going to put P….d) when things go wrong. This year has been a struggle to get on the water. It started off good just prelaunch cleaning. Then coil went bad then the Fuel pump. But yesterday got in the water and it was all worth it. Thanks for sharing all the projects you do.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Always something, eh. Oh well, that's boating! 😁

[@rastagrastag7784]

The same thing happened to me over the weekend. I totally forgot to turn the breaker one for the shower sump box .. shit happens. I guess I have to be more mindful of things

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Ya, it happens. Wouldn't be boating if it didn't 😂

[@MCMAHT1]

I had to replace the switch in my shower sump this spring too. I'm just getting this old boat back into shape and found the previous owner just removed the lid of the sump box and let it overflow into the forward bilge. I also found that the old pump had been running whenever the batteries were switched on, so I found the source of my parasitic drain. I'll probably replace the whole shebang, but I'll probably never find a pump this quiet again.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

What kind of/year boat you working on?

[@MCMAHT1]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo It's a 1996 Wellcraft. An Excel 23SE. A little express cruiser. It's been a lot of fun.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

A 1996 isn't an old boat - our current Sundancer is a 1998 and that's the newest cruiser we've ever owned!

[@JG-wr1sl]

I'll be tackling our shower sump soon. It wasn't turning on during spring fit out. I kept dumping water down the shower drain waiting for the pump to kick on and ended up flooding the sump box.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Sounds like your float switch is shot too. Be sure to order a spare 👍

[@eternitysshore]

Good stuff Paul. I'm thankful that our kitchen sink was designed to drain out of the hull instead of dumping it in with the shower and AC etc. Question: Why do these pumps have so much back flow to them? It's like they allow 50% of the fluid they eject to come right back in. Is it just a lack of power?

[@everythingreviewsandnews1229]

No check valve. and remaining water before a loop in the hose leading out of the boat just returns to the sump.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

The way drain lines are (supposed to be) configured is that they go up to a high point, then pitch back downward and exiting out of the boat. Any water you see returning to the sump is from the length of hose between the pump and that high point. Nothing to do with pump capacity, just simple dynamics. And yes, a check valve would help alleviate that returning water, but could be potentially problematic as the 'head' (the water sitting idly in that section of hose) might produce enough pressure that the pump can't overcome it. In that scenario, a higher capacity pump should fix that... On another note, I see that you're getting ready for some serious time on the boat this year, now that Mary has semi-retired 👍 Looking forward to seeing your upcoming adventures - and maybe even the repairs on your companionway door 😉

[@eternitysshore]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Thanks for the thorough explanation. That's helpful. And the Admiral and I just completed our first ever 4-day trip to Chesapeake City MD on the C&D canal. It's our "epic" cruising feat to date. First installment of that video should be ready later this week. Thanks for watching. As for the companionway door, I don't think I've got a shot at doing it anytime soon since the entire helm as to be removed and I cannot find anything remotely helpful on how to do it. My guess is that it would be a multiple thousands for a pro to do it, so we might just have to live with it. My local guy couldn't figure out any quicker and cheaper alternatives.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Eternity's Shore Ya, unfortunately that companionway door removal would be a huge job. I studied that prospect on our last Sundancer (current one has similar configuration) and came to the conclusion that it would be a nightmare to put back together... We'll be looking forward to your Epic Cruise installments!!

[@rogergiddy2634]

I'm sure not the way you wanted to spend your day, thanks for sharing

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

No, not what I had planned for or expected, but got it done with no damage and minimal cursing 😉

[@Bigrignohio]

So, lessons learned for when I finally find my first boat. A) Keep a few spares for things like the float switches. Maybe prewired to one of those waterproof quick-connect connectors? B) Some form of water detect alarm should be installed in the bilge. For the emergency pump, maybe install a bypass switch for the float to allow easier manual operation of you need it in the future? Factory should have recessed it a bit for better water pick-up. And I was a bit surprised, no little 2-gallon wet/dry vac for little cleanups like this? Thanks for one more episode of "The School of hard knocks" :)

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, spares are a must on any boat. Check out my previous video where I talk about tools to carry, as well as spare parts. As for the manual switch, yes, there's one factory installed at the helm on this Sea Ray. And one can install a warning mechanism if water is detected. In fact, this boat is factory equipped with a red light (located right in the shower stall) that comes in every time that pump.is activated. Problem was that it isn't noticed on this day, hence the overflow. Oh well, just another day in paradise 😊

[@Bigrignohio]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Huh, must have missed that one. Been a crazy week. Will go watch it now! Thinking whatever I buy the alarm will get wired to a piezo buzzer.

[@jonathanbradley6819]

I just replaced my whole sump 2 weeks ago

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

What the whole sump?

[@jonathanbradley6819]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo yes, probably the original, 20+ years old.

[@Sgtkode]

I think I would replace the secondary pump with a automatic bilge pump.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Ummmmm, it kinda already is.

[@mshawct]

That cylindrical sump box screen should fit under the two plastic tabs on each side as opposed to sitting on top of them. This will keep it from interfering with the flot switch.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

👍

[@feskymaloon1439]

Dealing with this ourselves. I couldn’t figure out the source of the water for the life of me. Thanks!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Great! So glad I was able to help you out.

[@markburley4901]

Our 95 had 2 sumps as well. The 2nd actually pumped from the sinks into a grey water tank. That tank was pumped out at the same time as the black water. It was an interesting set up as nothing went into the lake from inside the boat. The exceptions were the thru hulls fro the AC and exhausts. Never a fun job the first time you clean those sumps out when you buy the boat!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Wow, I've never heard of a Sea Ray having a grey water tank. In fact, our 330 Dancer had a bypass valve where one could actually pump the 💩 straight into the lake!!! Of course, it had been disconnected and I even went so far as to permanently capped that line off. I couldn't imagine pumping raw sewage into the lake!

[@markburley4901]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo The grey water tank was just from the sinks. There are boats out here that are ordered that way as some boats go to the coast. That would explain both types of tanks I think.

[@markburley4901]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Bypass pumps are meant for ocean going vessels where pumping sewage into the water is allowed after a certain distance from shore. Yuck. The grey water tank was probably put in by the original owner so as not to pump anything in the lake. Just my thought.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

@markburley4901 So, shower still pumps overboard? Where was that tank located on your 370? Couldn't have been too big, capacity wise...

[@markburley4901]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo nope, shower was pumped into the grey water too. I'm honestly not exactly sure where it was located honestly. It was on the port side I'm sure but not sure of exact location. I'll go through my pics, I'm sure it's in there somewhere.

[@Harrybollox]

If the top of the sump was screwed down fully and had a gasket, I assume the water would just back up into the shower , what do you think ?

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

In theory, yes, but that lid would need a serious gasket on it 😉

[@akaCamo]

If the secondary "backup" pump and switch are lower then the primary one I don't understand why the float switch on the backup did not come on and since it "doesn't work as it is supposed to" as a backup are you going to be replacing it with a different type of float switch?

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

As I pointed out in the video, the secondary pump and float are working fine, but the float doesn't engage until the water level is higher than what one would consider ideal. All floats have the same issue, with their ability to fully evacuate water impossible.

[@akaCamo]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Ok thanks for the reply, I am just about to install a float switch in my boat. I may try and build a screen around it now that I've seen that you have one located beside your main pump.

[@jameslinderman6825]

Is there a way to adjust when the float kicks in? Maybe attach a cork lower or something?

[@shaneroper5470]

Keep pumping out that great content Paul lol 😄

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Pumping out. Funny 😂

[@cmvelo1]

Thanks so much for this video! It is extremely informative (especially since I own a Sea Ray 290 Sundancer) 💯👍👏👏

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@monoskier2112]

Dude I just love those types of videos, they are very interesting to me. When I was with my buddy on his boat up in Georgian Bay, I would luv doing projects like that on his boat, it was very fun. Take and have a great season 😎🇨🇦

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Glad you like them!

[@jameslinderman6825]

Awesome video! Thanks for showing all this, really helps one learn!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you can check out my ever expanding playlist here; How I Did It - Boat Repairs & Upgrades: kzbin.info/aero/PLKhjT5kr2l2GpE-r5PjPvMtaRygCEb_si