Dave Skolnick wrote:

Could you put a lip on the pan that overlaps the sole, inset the grate,
and finish the lip with a small (1/2") rounded cofferdam? Make sure the
shower curtain hangs inside(ish) the cofferdam and you should have most
of the problem licked.

The issue seems to be driven by maintaining bilge access. It would be
easy to solve without that constraint. In most production boats that I
have seen, the entire head sole is the "pan" even where there is a
grating inset. Could you use that approach and install a 6" or 8" access
plate in the pan under the grate to get the necessary access?

The newer IPs have a grating at the bottom of the companionway with a
removable drain pan below for access to the (lighted!) bilge. If I
remember, I'll take a picture at the Annapolis boat show and e-mail it
to you.

I built a companion way drain with a pan that rests on the grate support
battens like IP and was planning to use the same method in the shower
but sea and rain water in the bilge is one thing and soapy shower water
is another.

There is nothing under the head but some hoses and a couple of hose
clamps but I know from experience that where there is a hose there is
potential maintenance. The sole can't be removable so I may just epoxy
in the shower pan and add a big access plate so I can get to the hose
clamps.

When are you going to Annapolis? I will be up Thursday and Friday. It
would be great to get a bunch of R.B.B. and R.B.C. folks together one
night to see what we all look like. :-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com