www.iFourWinns.com

Since my Vista 278 is new to me, I noticed that the grey water is pumped overboard rather than dumped outside with the help of gravity. I assume there's something similar to a shower tray with a float switch. Nonetheless, this seems to be a breeding ground for bacteria and bad smells to follow in my opinion. Can anyone tell me where this is located and any helpfull tips to keep it clean and sanitary.

Thanks in advance,
John

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

On my boat, the gray water sump is the shower sump. All the sinks, the AC condensate and the shower drain run in seperate hoses to this sump, which as you say, has a float switch and small bilge pump. Look for a small hatch on the floor near the shower.

I boat on a gray water restricted lake, so it pumps into a holding tank instead of overboard.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Same with our 348. There's a square box down in the center bilge where the shower, AC condenser and galley sink are connected. From there the water is pumped overboard. Yes, the box gets nasty inside. Thus we not to let any food gunk get washed down the galley sink. We try to rinse them up in the cockpit sink first, as that goes straight overboard.

Some folks go so far as to change the galley sink to one that goes straight overboard. This has other issues beyond the scope of this thread. Like losing jewelry or taking on water during hard-over turns.

It helps to run the galley sink with clear water for a while before leaving the boat for any extended period. Better to have the sump box left with just clean water instead of the last bit of wash-up gunk. Resist the temptation to do something like dump bleach down the drain. Bleach is very hard on the vinyl and plastic parts of the plumbing system.

Right now my sump box has a screw-on lid. At some point I want to replace the whole box with one that has a clip-on lid. That'll at least make it less hassle to get into the box for cleaning.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Lift up the carpet just fore of your aft cabin. There is an access pannel in the floor. There are four phillips screws which must be removed. A finger hole allows purchase to lift out. There is a removable screen and the pump can be lifted out to be cleaned. Your galley sink, head sink and shower drain into it. I clean mine several times a year. Dan

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Current Boat: 1994 278 Four Winns Vista