Shower Sump Housing Access

[ButtercupWa]

New boater with new boater question! I was watching the Spring Maintenance "As the Prop Turns" video episode that described cleaning the filter in the Shower Sump housing. In the video the access hole is large enough to see the entire shower sump housing and cover, including the 4 screws fastening the lid. Looked super easy!

For my 2018 C-28, the access hole is half size and allows access to only two screws. Pictured here. Can anyone please recommend the best way to remove the cover and clean the filter with this limited access? Thanks in advance!

 

[Brian B]

You appear to have more room than on a 25SC. Perhaps from the sides you could use an offset phillips head screwdriver or just reach in there with a phillips head bit and turn the screws by hand. When you re-install the cover just tighten the screws by hand so next time it will be easier.

 

[Red Raven]

Once you get it off replace the screws with thumb screws or eye screws so you can get hold of them and turn them by hand.
That’s what I did on our R27 Classic. Easy to clean now.

Curt

 

[Crazy Heart]

I have the same C-28. To remove the lid I have to remove the screws holding it in place and slide it in order to remove the lid. It fits too tight to the floor above to remove the screws as others have suggested. I also have to remove the transducer for the depth sounder to get it out. In addition I had to cut away some of the floor flange. From you photo it appears this is already done. I added some quick connected plugs to the wiring so I can unplug it and take it from the boat for cleaning. I remember an earlier blog on this site where someone had replaced the sump with another brand that fit easier. That said, after the modifications it is not too bad to remove.

 

[BB marine]

Moving the transducer cup fwd a few inches helps. It can be removed by just removing the transducer as Crazy Heart stated. Remove all hoses and push them out of the way. I rerouted the wires and cut out some of the access wire. I too installed insulated bullet connectors. Once the hold down screws are removed you can work the sump pan around so you can get at the back screws. Remove them ( I did not reinstall the two screws under the floor) Once the two screws are removed slide the pan in place remove the easily accessible screws and the lid will lift off. I was able to replace the float switch and clean the screen and pan in place. Poor design!!! I am surprised that after 10 years of using this design in a C26 and C28 and all the feed back that Fluid Motion has gotten about this install. Engineering didn't spend an hour or two showing the assembly line the proper placement of the transducer and pan for easy accessibility. There is plenty of room under the floor to install the pan properly. The change would be at no cost to the manufacturer. Listening to customers complaints and making changes is part of good manufacturing. Repetitive poorly designed installs is not.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi Macdonaldwa,

Crazy Heart has it right. You will need to remove the screws holding the shower sump in place and slide the box out for better access. Shouldn't be too hard to do. Whether you choose to install in a slightly different location or move the transducer as well is up to you. Just be sure that the devices can still be used as intended and the reinstall doesn't interfere with the running of hoses or wiring. Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Ralf