www.iFourWinns.com

I checked to see where my A/C unit drains the water from the pan now that I have had the need to use the A/C a couple of times. The hose from the A/C pan drain goes back to the compartment area where the A/C stainer is and the drain hose stops just short of the exit hole at the back of that compartment.

I would have to think the thought was for the A/C drain water to then either make its way into the mid cabin bilge or to the engine room bilge.

It seems to me that both the bilge pumps in the mid cabin and engine room need water levels to be at least a couple inches high before these pumps can actually pick up the water to pump it out.

I wonder if the factory had the A/C drain water going to the shower pump and the past owner of our boat had the A/C drain water re routed to the bilge areas.

Do you guys that have 328's all have your A/C drain water going to the shower sump? Would Four Winns of had some years of 328's going to shower sumps and other years draining into the bilge?

I want the drain water to go where it should for the best longevity of the boat. I seem to think going to the shower sump would be best. You just have to maintain the float switch and pump in the shower sump.

Actually, I'd be curious to hear what the factory did with respect to other models of Four Winns boats with factory installed air as to where the A/C drain water went.

Thanks,
Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

You don't mention what year 328 you have.

I think it's better to drain it into a sump box. Either the one for the shower/galley sink or even another one of it's own. Letting the water pool is never a great idea due to stink and possible leaking or damage.

Most new sump boxes have inlets for several sources. Sinks, showers, AC, etc. If you existing box doesn't have enough inputs then just replace it entirely with one that does. It's not a terribly complicated job either. I've seen the boxes, with a new pump also, for under $100 in the past. And if possible you might want to use a continuous run of hose from the AC pan. Best not to have any inline couplers or other splicing devices. Those just add a place for debris or crud to get stuck, accumulate and eventually block the hose. Fortunately the hose is relatively cheap too.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Past owner probably had it re routed for the same reasons as im experiencing. Blockage in the sump means water from the galley sink backs into the AC drain pan which may overflow into the cabin an according to bas cause some serious damage.

Factory installation has the AC drain going into the shower sump which is located under the bottom step of the cabin. I believe i have a blocked line, hoping to pull it this week and check it.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

I really think that mine drains into cabin bilge. I need to double check though and will let you know.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Michael, we are considering a separate sump for the AC condensate drain. We have a 2002 348 and it drains into the engine bilge. The issue we are having is that the AC unit is pulling bilge smell/fumes up the condensate drain line.

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Heath - 348 Vista
Erie, PA

I appreciate the replies..........

Bill, my 328 is a model year 2001.

My galley sink and sink in the head drain directly overboard. From memory of looking at my shower sump box, I believe it has 3 inlets to the shower box. At present I think only one is being used and that would be the inlet for the shower drain.

My only real concern about the A/C pan drain draining into the mid cabin or aft bilge is that it would seem both those bilge areas are able to hold gallons of water before the automatic float switch would pump the water overboard. If the A/C drain didn't dump into these bilges, I think I could keep the bilge area much drier, and maybe avoid stagnate water. I try to remember to hit the manual bilge switch when getting up on plane (forcing water to the rear bilge) to get water out of the bilge but I can't get out on the water every weekend. I think at present the A/C drain hose is the only contributor to water in my bilges. No other leaks and the rain water doesn't seem to make any noticeable difference.

From the replies above, it would seem some model years of the 328 had the A/C drain hose draining into the mid/aft bilges and some model years the A/C drain hose goes into the shower sump?

txvista - You mentioned checking your A/C drain hose to see where it goes. Since you have the same model year, I'd be interested to hear what you find.

I'd like to hear more replies and then I'll consider having my A/C drain hose being re-routed into the shower sump box.

Thanks again,
Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I just had a thought reading these replies...
It would be alright if the ac pan drained directly into the sump, but on my 03 it comes to a T and meets the galley sink drain, from there its one line into the sump, that's why if there is any blockage it backs into the drain pan.
I'm going to check to see if I have any open inlets, I may just take the T out and run the AC drain pan line directly into the sump.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

I believe this is the same unit, I should be able to route the ac drain directly to the pump. There are three inlets. So I could use one each for the shower drain, galley drain, AC drain.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

Interesting you mention this.

The owner before me re-routed the condensate drain line in my boat from the shower sump (factory) to the bilge. While doing some preventive maintenance, I shot some bleach water into the condensate line, let it sit and then sucked it all out with a wet/dry vac. By doing so, I completely drained the condensate line. That night for the first time ever while sleeping on the boat, my CO alarms went off. I think fumes were pulled in from the bilge through that drain line.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

I believe earlier 328s (2001 and before?) the condensate drain was routed to the bilge. Our 2003 is routed directly to the shower sump while a neighbor with I think a 2001 it's routed to the bilge

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2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260