[Walker]

Hi,
I have a Rule Shower Sump on my 3200 Tiara which is apparently not working. Regrettably, it is located out of reach below the cabin/companionway steps and it looks like I will have to remove the steps for access.
This means removing trim, disconnecting lighting wires and possibly even the battery charger, (ugh!)
Has anyone ever dealt with this problem before and if so, is there anything I can do to verify sump operation before I attempt this job?
Thanks for any help.
Walker

[Walker]

OK - here is what I found out about the shower sump.
Since the sump is in a location which is very time consuming to access, it had never been cleaned by the previous owner. I found the sump box to be fully clogged with drain matter, (hair, soap scum and mystery scuz!), which rendered the float switch completely inoperative. The manufacturer's manual says to clean the filter regularly which, in the case of this location may turn out to be once a year if I'm up to it!
I love this boat in every way but the folks at Tiara did not think this one through while engineering.
I would probably design/install a simple diaphragm pump in place of this sump box or I'd try to relocate in an area where I could simply remove one access cover to maintain it.
It took four hours to remove the companion steps, remove the sump box, clean, bench test, reinstall, test in the boat, and then replace the cabin steps. Can only imagine what my local marina would have charged me?

Hope this explanation helps others.

Still love Tiaras!

Walker

[firstlight]

Electro magnetic switch
I have a 36 open same problem have been changing float switch and cleaning sump every year.
Bridge marine City Island sold me one I believe it was Made by Johnson so far so good.

[Trainman]

OK - here is what I found out about the shower sump.
Since the sump is in a location which is very time consuming to access, it had never been cleaned by the previous owner. I found the sump box to be fully clogged with drain matter, (hair, soap scum and mystery scuz!), which rendered the float switch completely inoperative.  The manufacturer's manual says to clean the filter regularly which, in the case of this location may turn out to be once a year if I'm up to it!
I love this boat in every way but the folks at Tiara did not think this one through while engineering.
I would probably design/install a simple diaphragm pump in place of this sump box or I'd try to relocate in an area where I could simply remove one access cover to maintain it.
It took four hours to remove the companion steps, remove the sump box, clean, bench test, reinstall, test in the boat, and then replace the cabin steps. Can only imagine what my local marina would have charged me?

Hope this explanation helps others.

Still love Tiaras!

Walker

I know this is an old post, but... I had the shower sump fail on my 2006 3600 Open. I found that the battery charger could be unscrewed from the interior of the steps without disconnecting the wires and laid on the floor. There is a quick disconnect for the power to the step lights. Then after removing 4 screws into the floor, the steps could slide out for sump access. Not fun, but not so bad. My sump switch failed in the on position and I found there was no way to cut power without killing the entire cabin and head, so I installed a toggle switch in the shower sump power in case it would ever happen again.

---

I know this is an old post, but... I had the shower sump fail on my 2006 3600 Open. I found that the battery charger could be unscrewed from the interior of the steps without disconnecting the wires and laid on the floor. There is a quick disconnect for the power to the step lights. Then after removing 4 screws into the floor, the steps could slide out for sump access. Not fun, but not so bad. My sump switch failed in the on position and I found there was no way to cut power without killing the entire cabin and head, so I installed a toggle switch in the shower sump power in case it would ever happen again.

[rafredrickson]

Hi,
I have a Rule Shower Sump on my 3200 Tiara which is apparently not working. Regrettably, it is located out of reach below the cabin/companionway steps and it looks like I will have to remove the steps for access.
This means removing trim, disconnecting lighting wires and possibly even the battery charger, (ugh!)
Has anyone ever dealt with this problem before and if so, is there anything I can do to verify sump operation before I attempt this job?
Thanks for any help.
Walker

I had the same issue on my 31' open. Found a very tall 6' 7" skinny strong friend who was able to get enough of his body thru the step openings to easily reach the pump and complete a full replacement. Cost me a six pack!

[sbw1]

My 32 Open was new in 2004 and I have never cleaned the sump. I learned early on (first year) there is a way to avoid the issue altogether. The shower drain cover screws out of the shower pan with the spanner wrench used for your sea strainers in the engine room. You buy fiberglass window screen from the hardware store and cut a bunch of circular screens that fit into the drain under the cover. Unscrew the cover, install a screen and reinstalled the cover. Use a concentrated bilge cleaner once a month to keep things in the sump clean. When the shower starts to drain more slowly (in about 3-4 weeks) throw away the old screen and replace with a new one. ) I keep a baggy full of them in the medicine cabinet. I pour bilge cleaner down the drain when I replace the screen. We live on our boat much of the summer and take two showers a day on it and have never had a problem with the sump pump.

[bhbrownell]

OK - here is what I found out about the shower sump.
Since the sump is in a location which is very time consuming to access, it had never been cleaned by the previous owner. I found the sump box to be fully clogged with drain matter, (hair, soap scum and mystery scuz!), which rendered the float switch completely inoperative.  The manufacturer's manual says to clean the filter regularly which, in the case of this location may turn out to be once a year if I'm up to it!
I love this boat in every way but the folks at Tiara did not think this one through while engineering.
I would probably design/install a simple diaphragm pump in place of this sump box or I'd try to relocate in an area where I could simply remove one access cover to maintain it.
It took four hours to remove the companion steps, remove the sump box, clean, bench test, reinstall, test in the boat, and then replace the cabin steps. Can only imagine what my local marina would have charged me?

Hope this explanation helps others.

Still love Tiaras!

Walker

anyone know how to access this on a Sovran 3900?