Water proofing the shower in a WS 28?

  • May 10, 2011 4:22 PM
    Message # 588361
    Deleted user
    So I am getting my new to me WS 28 ready for me to live on.

    I will need to take some what normal showers in the head.

    I have wood finished bulkheads in the head as I do in most of the boat.  Kind of like a teak I guess.

    Before I start using my head as a shower, should I treat all the wood with something?  If so what should I use and how often?

    I don't want to get the wood water logged and have it fall apart on me.
  • May 15, 2011 10:56 AM
    Reply # 591812 on 588361
    Sean Steinberg wrote: So I am getting my new to me WS 28 ready for me to live on.

    I will need to take some what normal showers in the head.

    I have wood finished bulkheads in the head as I do in most of the boat.  Kind of like a teak I guess.

    Before I start using my head as a shower, should I treat all the wood with something?  If so what should I use and how often?

    I don't want to get the wood water logged and have it fall apart on me.
    Sean,

    "Somewhat normal showers" is a "somewhat relative" term.

    I would imagine you might get all kinds of replies to this question, as there are many opinions about showers in a boat. Personally, I'm quite reticent to use an onboard shower at all, relying on cockpit showers while cruising and the marina facilities while in port. But, I certainly appreciate the convenience of having one aboard. Your biggest concern with showering aboard is the increased tendency for mildew and mold.

    It's certainly a worthwhile effort to treat the wood that might be exposed. Presumably, your "finished bulkheads" are "ribbon mahogany", though that could certainly vary.  I would tend to avoid getting the wood wet to begin with and do so by using a curtain all the way 'round. You could do this with a ceiling track, or simply make a curtain that connects to 4 hooks on the walls. The first method is more convenient to use, the second method gets it out of the way completely when not needed.

    Next, I would absolutely not allow the water to just drain into the bilge. Either install a pump in the shower sump, or run hose from the shower sump to the water trap in the bilge, and let your sump pump get rid of it. The idea is to NOT let the run-off water stand in the bilge.

    Bear in mind, that I have a W32 and have never been aboard a W28, so I don't really know the layout.
  • May 22, 2011 8:20 PM
    Reply # 598720 on 588361
    Deleted user
    Oh the joy in 18 month or so when I can take cockpit showers in the Bahamas and beyond, but for now my WS28 head will have to do.

    I do believe I have the ribbon mahogany.

    At the hardware store a guy told me he lives on his boat and used Thompsons Water Seal in his shower, so I bought some.  When back at the docks I asked around and teak varnish was the majority winner on water proofing in the head.

    Still have not applied anything yet.

    The curtain idea would work, but I still need to treat the wood.  The curtains will keep the direct water off it, the bulkheads will still get wet.

    At Lowes I was looking at PVC sheeting to cover the mahogany and give the head a more modern white fiberglass look.  I would still treat the bulkheads before glueing down the sheets.

    Still have not done anything yet, but my time is running out....