Is a shower worth it?

[Jarabacoa]

We did not option one on the boat, but am considering installing one for my wife. Are they worth it? Do you guys use yours who have them? How difficult would an install be? This is on 03 SANTE. Thanks

[SGY]

Shower

We don't have a shower on our SNOB. I think a heater is a better option. We use the heater quite a bit during our vacations in Grand Lake Colorado. It keeps the kids and my feet warm on the cold mornings/evenings. Never had a need for a shower, frankly. Once we start skiing or boarding, the kids wait on the dock for their turn. We throw them the rope after dropping off the previous skier and they dock start. The boat never gets close enough for them to use the shower. And, if the water is too cold we wear dry suits.

Keep in mind that whether you are using a heater or shower, draining the block and accessories for the cold spring or fall months becomes a bit of a hassle.

Steve.

[Frost]

Jarabacoa,

Installing a shower in a 2003 SANTE is not very hard at all but it will take some time to do it. If you do get a shower and want to do it yourself, let me know and I can give you some tips on getting it in.

[NCH2oSki]

I have a 4 vent heater that I installed this winter. I wouldnt have a ski boat without one. My last MC had one and I was hooked. My wife even says its a must now.

I wouldnt waste the space in my boat or yours for a shower.

I recomend the low rpm heater fix from Heatercraft. If you install or allready have a heater. Its exactly as it is described. Makes a huge difference idling around while installing or removing the slalom course.

I dont even want to think about cold water skiing yet!

[Edwin]

No need for a shower in my opinion. The heater makes good sense if you're able to ski once the weather cools. My wife won't go with me much after early October, so a shower or heater doesn't help me much.

BTW- the shower does add another thing to drain come winterization time...

[XH2Oskier]

I have a '97 Sport Nautique with both a shower and a heater and I like them both. Then again, I live in Wisconsin and we enjoy using the shower when we get out of the water in the colder months, right before we bundle up in front of the heater

I don't know what kind of shower takes up a lot of room, but ours is basically about a five-foot hose we keep in one of the storage compartments under our backseat.

[laddski]

I am all for the showers but I just built one for $20. We ski early and late in the year and with a wetsuit, we just shove the hose down the back of the wetsuit while putting on the ski and when you get in, you don't feel any coldness at all. Just my .02.

Ladd

[GT40]

Let me put it this way: the boat I have has both the shower & heater (came that way, bought used). I will never, ever own another boat without a heater (if it doesn't come with one I'll install it). The shower? Well it takes a little while before you get the water coming out the right temperature - once you do it's very nice, especially down the wetsuit. I could do without it, though if I've got the heater. If it's a choice between the 2, no question - heater every time.

[Jarabacoa]

Thanks for the info.

[cstewart77]

Looking to install a heater into a 1991 Ski Nautique.....which models are recommended? Is it a day install? Pretty straight forward?????

Thank you in advance!

Chris Stewart

[NCH2oSki]

I bought my heater from www.schnitzskis.com He gave me a better price on a 4 vent heater then anyone else would on a 3 vent. The only brand to use is a heatercraft. www.heatercraft.com I also installed the low rpm heat fix, to have heat during extended idleling while setting up the slalom course ect.

The install is not a hard one, but time consuming and lots of planning for running the hoses, and vents. I even installed a defrost in the dash.

If you have the GT-40 you can use the throttle cable to fish the hoses thru the bilge to the front of the bow, its plenty long.

If you have any specific questions then ask and we will help if possible.
Jeff