How much water is left in the water tank after draining? I drained the two lines which come from the tank & then added a gallon of antifreeze and drained out a cup or two. This is a weak pink & looks diluted(it also freezes). Should I just dump another gallon of antifreeze in? What do others do? Thanks kevin
260 water tank
- Thread starter Kevin13821
- Start date
- Status
Draining the 260 water tank
The best way to drain the tank to near empty is to disconnect the supply line at the neptune type fitting which comes out of the tank. You will have to sponge up what water remains in the compartment, but if you have previously pumped the tank until there was no more coming from the faucet there should not be much more than a gallon. Reconnect the line and add as much potable anti-freeze as you see fit.
The best way to drain the tank to near empty is to disconnect the supply line at the neptune type fitting which comes out of the tank. You will have to sponge up what water remains in the compartment, but if you have previously pumped the tank until there was no more coming from the faucet there should not be much more than a gallon. Reconnect the line and add as much potable anti-freeze as you see fit.
Wed Dry Vac
I'm sure some will disagree...but I have cut an inspection port in the top of my water tank. I run the lines dry with the water pump and suck the remaining water out of the tank and lines thru the inspection port with a wet dry vac.
I'm sure some will disagree...but I have cut an inspection port in the top of my water tank. I run the lines dry with the water pump and suck the remaining water out of the tank and lines thru the inspection port with a wet dry vac.
Pink Antifreeze
I pump until no more water comes out of the faucets, then put 2 gallons of the pink stuff in the tank and pump until I see pink. I've done this the past 3 years without problem. The RV/marine antifreeze says it's good to -50. Good Luck.
I pump until no more water comes out of the faucets, then put 2 gallons of the pink stuff in the tank and pump until I see pink. I've done this the past 3 years without problem. The RV/marine antifreeze says it's good to -50. Good Luck.
Deck plate in tank top
I installed a round threaded clear deck plate in the top of the water tank. (see photo) I did this at first so I could reach into the tank to clean out the black crud growing on the tank sides when I bought my "new" 260. However it has proven very valuable when I siphon the water out of the tank after every cruise. I also replaced the factory straps with adjustable webbing so I can tilt the tank up on its bottom corner to drain better. That way I always have fresh water and a clean tank. I also run all the water through a large filter. Brigg
I installed a round threaded clear deck plate in the top of the water tank. (see photo) I did this at first so I could reach into the tank to clean out the black crud growing on the tank sides when I bought my "new" 260. However it has proven very valuable when I siphon the water out of the tank after every cruise. I also replaced the factory straps with adjustable webbing so I can tilt the tank up on its bottom corner to drain better. That way I always have fresh water and a clean tank. I also run all the water through a large filter. Brigg
Vodka!
I installed an electric pump, so I open the faucets and run that until water stops spitting out, then I add 3 gallons of very inexpensive vodka to the tank. That makes it easier to flush in the spring, and I don't have to worry about the chemicals in the anti-freeze.
I installed an electric pump, so I open the faucets and run that until water stops spitting out, then I add 3 gallons of very inexpensive vodka to the tank. That makes it easier to flush in the spring, and I don't have to worry about the chemicals in the anti-freeze.
Vodka won't protect against freezing
Straight uncut vodka would...but but even an 80-20 cut will freeze solid at -0- F. (If you don't believe that, put a glassful 80% vodka/20% water in your freezer at home). If there's no water in the system to cut it, you don't need to use anything ..'cuz it's not cold that does the damage, it's water that expands when it freezes. So if you've been using vodka to "winterize" your fresh water system, you might as well save yourself the cost of the vodka and use nothing.
Straight uncut vodka would...but but even an 80-20 cut will freeze solid at -0- F. (If you don't believe that, put a glassful 80% vodka/20% water in your freezer at home). If there's no water in the system to cut it, you don't need to use anything ..'cuz it's not cold that does the damage, it's water that expands when it freezes. So if you've been using vodka to "winterize" your fresh water system, you might as well save yourself the cost of the vodka and use nothing.
Compressed air
I don't really have a freezing problem, and I also don't have a Hunter 260 so you may discount this idea. We regularly have to evacuate fluid out of hoses at my company and we just open a valve and shoot in compressed air, it will force the very last drop of water out of any container and ported hoses. Just be sure to open the valve first. The author makes no claims at ever having done this on my own sailboat, but I bet it will work.
I don't really have a freezing problem, and I also don't have a Hunter 260 so you may discount this idea. We regularly have to evacuate fluid out of hoses at my company and we just open a valve and shoot in compressed air, it will force the very last drop of water out of any container and ported hoses. Just be sure to open the valve first. The author makes no claims at ever having done this on my own sailboat, but I bet it will work.
- Status