I have a simple question about my new to me, Catalina 30 MKIII. It has two water tanks, a 17 gallon and a 10 gallon. Is there a valve somewhere to switch between the two?
Double the tanks, double the Catalina fun?
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I'm guessing that divided tanks is a hold over from past years when water you might get from questionable sources would be separated to not contaminate the existing water. In today's world it makes little sense.
And for coastal cruising that most us do, the water needs aren't that high. For my H356 I didn't like having the water sit around too long. So I would try to run the tank out often. We didn't drink from it. And I'd use gallon jugs of it to flush the toilet. I think carrying less water can work.
And for coastal cruising that most us do, the water needs aren't that high. For my H356 I didn't like having the water sit around too long. So I would try to run the tank out often. We didn't drink from it. And I'd use gallon jugs of it to flush the toilet. I think carrying less water can work.
I found a plumbing schematic in the owners manual. If it's correct, both tanks share the same output lie but separate fill plates
I don’t think so. I ordered a new 2026 Catalina 356 and it comes with two separate water tanks. My guess is that it’s just a design thing. Perhaps they can fit more tankage by using two tanks. That makes some sense but I’ll have to ask Catalina.
I think it's a combination of weight distribution, balance and space for tanks low in the hull.
The plumbing diagram on page 37 of this manual shows a check valve on your starboard tank and a manual valve on the forward tank. My boat has a valve on each tank as is common to prevent water moving from a high tank to a lower one with enough pressure to cause problems with inspection and clean out ports and the like.
https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Catalina_gen_25168855.pdf
The plumbing diagram on page 37 of this manual shows a check valve on your starboard tank and a manual valve on the forward tank. My boat has a valve on each tank as is common to prevent water moving from a high tank to a lower one with enough pressure to cause problems with inspection and clean out ports and the like.
https://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Catalina_gen_25168855.pdf
