I’ve recently purchased a new Hunter 306 and after our first weekend on the hook, I realized that we (family of 4) were going to need additional fresh water storage if we were going to extent our trips beyond a couple of days. The boat has a 40 gallon tank under the forward cabin V berth. There is a large additional space forward of the existing tank that could accommodate an additional flexible water bladder type tank. I would like to add an additional 30-40 gallons. I have several questions. First, has anyone added a second fresh water tank to a 306, and if so where and how. If I add the tank forward of the existing tank, will all that weight that far forward be a bad thing. Second, how do I plumb in the new tank? One thought is to “T” or “Y” both the fill and supply hoses and place valves to divert the water into and out of the appropriate tank. The 1/2” supply lines probably wouldn’t be a problem, but are 1-1/2” fill line fittings and valves readily available. Any comments, suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
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You're wasting water
No reason why you can't add a second water tank, but 40 gallons should last 4 people a lot longer than just a couple of days, 'cuz at the rate you're going through it, another 20 gallons wouldn't add but one more day. The 40 gallons you have should last you at least 4 days...60 gallons, nearly a week. Here's how: NEVER let the water run. When brushing teeth, turn it on to wet the toothbrush, turn it off. Only turn it back on long enough to rinse off the toothbrush and spit. When washing faces and hands, put a little in the basin, turn it off...wash...turn it on only long enough to rinse. Showering, same thing: turn the water on only long enough to get wet...turn it off while you lather up...turn it back on to rinse off. Dishwashing: rinse--or even wash--the dishes in salt water, using fresh water only to rinse...or at least rinse 'em off in salt water first, then put water and detergent in the sink...wash 'em, stack 'em soapy, drain the soapy water, replace the soapy water in the sink with clean and rinse 'em. If this sounds like a PITA, remember--it's a boat, not a condo...and unlike being ashore, you have a finite amount of water that has to be conserved. The surprising thing is, once you've taught yourself to conserve water aboard, you'll even find yourself doing some things the same way at home...which, at the rate population growth is outpacing municipal water supplies, isn't a bad thing either.
No reason why you can't add a second water tank, but 40 gallons should last 4 people a lot longer than just a couple of days, 'cuz at the rate you're going through it, another 20 gallons wouldn't add but one more day. The 40 gallons you have should last you at least 4 days...60 gallons, nearly a week. Here's how: NEVER let the water run. When brushing teeth, turn it on to wet the toothbrush, turn it off. Only turn it back on long enough to rinse off the toothbrush and spit. When washing faces and hands, put a little in the basin, turn it off...wash...turn it on only long enough to rinse. Showering, same thing: turn the water on only long enough to get wet...turn it off while you lather up...turn it back on to rinse off. Dishwashing: rinse--or even wash--the dishes in salt water, using fresh water only to rinse...or at least rinse 'em off in salt water first, then put water and detergent in the sink...wash 'em, stack 'em soapy, drain the soapy water, replace the soapy water in the sink with clean and rinse 'em. If this sounds like a PITA, remember--it's a boat, not a condo...and unlike being ashore, you have a finite amount of water that has to be conserved. The surprising thing is, once you've taught yourself to conserve water aboard, you'll even find yourself doing some things the same way at home...which, at the rate population growth is outpacing municipal water supplies, isn't a bad thing either.
Peggy's right, but...
I have 75 gal on my 37.5, and on trips (usually ICW with one other person) I still wish I had more water aboard. I'm pretty conservative as Peggy suggests, but with a sailboat, I can understand your thinking. (shhh..Peggy's a powerboater!) Because we sailors don't buy much fuel, and I don't like tying up to a marina at night, I feel uncomfortable pulling up just to fill up my tank. Where I sail the marinas don't usually charge for it, but they don't like giving it away either. Plus, it's a pain just tying up, much less being stared at by the others waiting to fuel up, etc. And, it's hard to control other's use aboard the boat. I hear guests sometimes let the water run when they're brushing their teeth or the prolonged shower. It's hard to always be a host watchdog. With 2 kids I can just imagine. I can't speak specifically to your water tank install, but two other suggestions which I highly recommend: (1) my boat came to me with a hand pump installed at the galley sink plumbed into a raw water intake. (IMHO - foot pump would be better.) It's great for intial rinsing dishes (and even washing em) as well as other water wasting activities. (2) I plumbed a raw water washdown pump in the head compartment under the sink (using the head intake for the supply line.) With a 25' coil hose attached it helps for water intensive activities in the head.
I have 75 gal on my 37.5, and on trips (usually ICW with one other person) I still wish I had more water aboard. I'm pretty conservative as Peggy suggests, but with a sailboat, I can understand your thinking. (shhh..Peggy's a powerboater!) Because we sailors don't buy much fuel, and I don't like tying up to a marina at night, I feel uncomfortable pulling up just to fill up my tank. Where I sail the marinas don't usually charge for it, but they don't like giving it away either. Plus, it's a pain just tying up, much less being stared at by the others waiting to fuel up, etc. And, it's hard to control other's use aboard the boat. I hear guests sometimes let the water run when they're brushing their teeth or the prolonged shower. It's hard to always be a host watchdog. With 2 kids I can just imagine. I can't speak specifically to your water tank install, but two other suggestions which I highly recommend: (1) my boat came to me with a hand pump installed at the galley sink plumbed into a raw water intake. (IMHO - foot pump would be better.) It's great for intial rinsing dishes (and even washing em) as well as other water wasting activities. (2) I plumbed a raw water washdown pump in the head compartment under the sink (using the head intake for the supply line.) With a 25' coil hose attached it helps for water intensive activities in the head.
Now wait just a cotton pickin' minute, Don! 
You wanna try to explain the difference between a sailboat and powerboat when you're on a hook or rafted up for several days with a limited supply of fresh water? 'Splain THAT one for me please! I'm also dying to hear why you'd need 25' of washdown hose for "water intensive" use in the head on a system that's IN the head! TELL guests during their "orientation tour" that a boat, unlike a house, has a limited amount of fresh water that must be conserved: "hey folks...there are 4 of us who must all share only 40 gallons of water--that's only X gals/person per day (depending on # of days out--2 days = 5 gal/person/day...4 days = 2.5 gal/person/day), so here's what we all must do if we're not to run out of fresh water..." How can they know unless you do? Spring loaded faucets that you have to hold to run water then serve as a reminder. As for kids, experience is a great teacher...the first time they have to brush their teeth in salt water, or have to spend a day salty after swimming should be enough to teach 'em to be more conservative with the fresh water. And you don't have to run out of water to apply those lessons...when you hear 'em wasting it, just turn off the pump and tell 'em it's all gone--at least as far they're concerned. Whether you'd actually do that just depends on whether the kids are the dog or the tail in your family...'cuz it's just discipline, which is far more important on a boat than on land for safety reasons.
You wanna try to explain the difference between a sailboat and powerboat when you're on a hook or rafted up for several days with a limited supply of fresh water? 'Splain THAT one for me please!
I'm also dying to hear why you'd need 25' of washdown hose for "water intensive" use in the head on a system that's IN the head! TELL guests during their "orientation tour" that a boat, unlike a house, has a limited amount of fresh water that must be conserved: "hey folks...there are 4 of us who must all share only 40 gallons of water--that's only X gals/person per day (depending on # of days out--2 days = 5 gal/person/day...4 days = 2.5 gal/person/day), so here's what we all must do if we're not to run out of fresh water..." How can they know unless you do? Spring loaded faucets that you have to hold to run water then serve as a reminder. As for kids, experience is a great teacher...the first time they have to brush their teeth in salt water, or have to spend a day salty after swimming should be enough to teach 'em to be more conservative with the fresh water. And you don't have to run out of water to apply those lessons...when you hear 'em wasting it, just turn off the pump and tell 'em it's all gone--at least as far they're concerned. Whether you'd actually do that just depends on whether the kids are the dog or the tail in your family...'cuz it's just discipline, which is far more important on a boat than on land for safety reasons.fresh water maker
Hi Randy, I know you pointed out ADDING a second water tank, but..... have you thought about a fresh water maker?? less weight, easy installation.. regards, Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
Hi Randy, I know you pointed out ADDING a second water tank, but..... have you thought about a fresh water maker?? less weight, easy installation.. regards, Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
Our 34 only works the way we use her because
of the watermaker. It's an option for you but it will be a big ticket item to install and doing it the way we did is a challenge for most.
of the watermaker. It's an option for you but it will be a big ticket item to install and doing it the way we did is a challenge for most.
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