We moved up from a Capri 22' to a Catalina 30' a few weeks ago. When using the fresh water from the galley faucet and bathroom faucet, it omits a very odd smell. It almost smells "sour", making it VERY difficult for me to even wash my hands. 1) Is this a normal smell? 2) If this isn't normal, how can I get rid of it? Are there chemicals to keep the water odor free and clean? 3) Is it something I should be concerned about? 4) Should I install a water filter? It still has the original fresh water from the previous owner. However, he lived aboard...so the water can't be too old. Thank you very much for your help! Gary Call
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Jim WIllis
It's bugs. Use Peroxide or Clorox
This is very common for the water in the pipes, or (like mine was) a boat left unattended for a long while in a warm climate. I have always "shocked" with Clorox, but then the water is usually a bit too clorinated until it wears off/runs through. The commercial "water preservatives" use hydrogen peroxide that does not have the nasty smell, although I am not sure how much to use, someone eslse out there may have the answer. Thanks Jim Willis
This is very common for the water in the pipes, or (like mine was) a boat left unattended for a long while in a warm climate. I have always "shocked" with Clorox, but then the water is usually a bit too clorinated until it wears off/runs through. The commercial "water preservatives" use hydrogen peroxide that does not have the nasty smell, although I am not sure how much to use, someone eslse out there may have the answer. Thanks Jim Willis
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Ed Schenck
Be sure to read. . .
"Fresh Water Maintenance" over on the Head Mistress forum. Try clicking on the Link below. Sometimes these links do not work for me.
"Fresh Water Maintenance" over on the Head Mistress forum. Try clicking on the Link below. Sometimes these links do not work for me.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Ed's right...time to recommission the system
The "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum homepage) gives complete directions. Re your comments, Jim--you're supposed to flush all the bleach solution out of the system (see the article) before using water again. Just dumping in a large amount of bleach and leaving it there more than 24 hours is highly damaging to the rubber and neoprene parts in your pump.
The "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum homepage) gives complete directions. Re your comments, Jim--you're supposed to flush all the bleach solution out of the system (see the article) before using water again. Just dumping in a large amount of bleach and leaving it there more than 24 hours is highly damaging to the rubber and neoprene parts in your pump.
Water filter won't hurt!
Gary: Depending on the source of your water (well or municipal) it may not have much filtering. Well water is usually not treated either. The first thing you MUST do is to shock the system. Usually one good treatment (following the Head Mistress instructions) does an excellent job. Some water has natural odors and you cannot do much to get rid of this if it naturally occuring. Once you have treated the system and flushed it out very well, you should use the system all the time and replentish the system with fresh water. Our system gets refilled usually every other week (during the sailing season) and we do not have any problems. But if it sits for several weeks (winter months) it will also start to smell. We usually recommission each spring to start off the season with a fresh tank.
Gary: Depending on the source of your water (well or municipal) it may not have much filtering. Well water is usually not treated either. The first thing you MUST do is to shock the system. Usually one good treatment (following the Head Mistress instructions) does an excellent job. Some water has natural odors and you cannot do much to get rid of this if it naturally occuring. Once you have treated the system and flushed it out very well, you should use the system all the time and replentish the system with fresh water. Our system gets refilled usually every other week (during the sailing season) and we do not have any problems. But if it sits for several weeks (winter months) it will also start to smell. We usually recommission each spring to start off the season with a fresh tank.
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Jim WIllis
Thanks Peggy
I guess I didn't use that much clorox becuse everying still works after 7 odd years. However (when I was a beginner) I did make the mistake of using clorox in the head and it did make the valves leak (I now use IGP in the head and rinse through with fresh water from the shower). Jim W
I guess I didn't use that much clorox becuse everying still works after 7 odd years. However (when I was a beginner) I did make the mistake of using clorox in the head and it did make the valves leak (I now use IGP in the head and rinse through with fresh water from the shower). Jim W
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Gary C
Thanks!
Thank you everyone for your input. I'll read "Fresh Water Maint" from Peggy and hopefully resolve my odor problem (water that is). Thanks, Gary
Thank you everyone for your input. I'll read "Fresh Water Maint" from Peggy and hopefully resolve my odor problem (water that is). Thanks, Gary
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Bill Hatter
Use it
Your system is telling you it needs use. Even a fresh load of water will create the same odor after two or three weeks.
Your system is telling you it needs use. Even a fresh load of water will create the same odor after two or three weeks.
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Jim Rushing
The Ultimate Filter
After having continuous problems with smelly water in the tank, I added a General Ecology Nature Pure water filter. I also added an accumulator tank after the filter in order to increase the amount of water thru. All of this is right after the water pump on my 35.5. It slows down the water flow, but there is still enough for showers. All of the water is run through the .1 micron filter. There is no ordor at all, even during the summer time when the tank sets for a long time. I change the filter once a year. I am convinced that the water is now more pure than the bottled water that everbody buys.
After having continuous problems with smelly water in the tank, I added a General Ecology Nature Pure water filter. I also added an accumulator tank after the filter in order to increase the amount of water thru. All of this is right after the water pump on my 35.5. It slows down the water flow, but there is still enough for showers. All of the water is run through the .1 micron filter. There is no ordor at all, even during the summer time when the tank sets for a long time. I change the filter once a year. I am convinced that the water is now more pure than the bottled water that everbody buys.
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Bob Camarena
Filter when filling
I have a filter in the boat, but find that filtering the water whicn I fill the tank makes a big difference.
I have a filter in the boat, but find that filtering the water whicn I fill the tank makes a big difference.
Bob C, what type of filter on the hose?
Bob: As I remember, the water at the Stockton Sailing Club always had a slightly sulfur odor. What type of filter are you using on the hose to take care of the problem?
Bob: As I remember, the water at the Stockton Sailing Club always had a slightly sulfur odor. What type of filter are you using on the hose to take care of the problem?
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Filters have their place, but...
they're not a substitute for cleaning out the system once a year. In fact, unless you live in an area where it's necessary to filter the water at home, you shouldn't need one on the boat...IF you recommission the system at least annually. And letting the water run till all that's been standing your hose and the dock supply line has been flushed out before starting to fill your tank will accomplish far more than filtering water going into the tank from the minute you turn on the faucet on the dock. The typical household filter doesn't trap bacteria, nor the microscopic mold and fungi spores that grow in the plumbing and cause the water in the plumbing to become foul in the first place. All they really do is mask a problem that's actually very easy to eliminate for almost no cost. If you want to find out what's really going on in your plumbing, fill up a plastic milk jug with water, cap it, and let it sit in the warm summer sun for a couple of years. And then ask yourself if you'd want to drink it or wash dishes in it even if you filtered it.
they're not a substitute for cleaning out the system once a year. In fact, unless you live in an area where it's necessary to filter the water at home, you shouldn't need one on the boat...IF you recommission the system at least annually. And letting the water run till all that's been standing your hose and the dock supply line has been flushed out before starting to fill your tank will accomplish far more than filtering water going into the tank from the minute you turn on the faucet on the dock. The typical household filter doesn't trap bacteria, nor the microscopic mold and fungi spores that grow in the plumbing and cause the water in the plumbing to become foul in the first place. All they really do is mask a problem that's actually very easy to eliminate for almost no cost. If you want to find out what's really going on in your plumbing, fill up a plastic milk jug with water, cap it, and let it sit in the warm summer sun for a couple of years. And then ask yourself if you'd want to drink it or wash dishes in it even if you filtered it.
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Michael McCann
Smelly Water
Gary; Look for a filter in the system. If there is one, remove it. Then flush the tank('s) befor replacing, or adding a new one. Mike
Gary; Look for a filter in the system. If there is one, remove it. Then flush the tank('s) befor replacing, or adding a new one. Mike
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