When we fill the fresh water tank on our 2003 356 the water does not overflow from the overflow location on the starboard bow side of the boat. Instead, it just comes out of the area where you fill the tank and flows into the anchor locker. Eventually a little comes out of the overflow but there is more coming out of the fill area itself. Also, water is somehow overflowing into the bilge. That really concerns us, as this water shouldn't go into the bilge at all, I’m assuming, unless there is a leak. The dealer came out to look at the problem. They blew out the line as they thought there might be something blocking the flow. That didn’t work. The final answer they ended up giving us was “that is just the way it was designed” and they could not do anything about it. Essentially we were told this was a design flaw on the 356 whereby the water overflow is above the water fill area. Seems like a pretty lame answer to me. Is anyone else experiencing similar issues and if so did you get the same response from your dealer? Any suggestions on how to proceed? Thanks in advance, S
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Contact Hunter Marine.
Sandy: I would agree with you (lame excuse). You dealer should be making the effort but it looks like the ball is in your court. Give them a call or email them at Hunter Marine and get a real answer. They WILL help you.
Sandy: I would agree with you (lame excuse). You dealer should be making the effort but it looks like the ball is in your court. Give them a call or email them at Hunter Marine and get a real answer. They WILL help you.
Not an Overflow
I think it is a breather to allow air out so that water can enter the tank via the filler pipe. Water in the anchor locker should not be a problem as it is (or should be) self draining.
I think it is a breather to allow air out so that water can enter the tank via the filler pipe. Water in the anchor locker should not be a problem as it is (or should be) self draining.
Fresh Water
when filling we get water to overflow the fill connection a few seconds before the vent line overflows. We do not get any water in the bilge. Marc
when filling we get water to overflow the fill connection a few seconds before the vent line overflows. We do not get any water in the bilge. Marc
Maybe, maybe not
On my 40.5, I have four water tanks, each with its own peculiarity. On my port tank, the water will overflow before it comes out the vent. On the starboard side, it's opposite. (The vent loop on the port side goes higher than on the starboard.) The bow tank overfills out of the fill, then comes out the vent. The aft tank comes out the vent, but will leak if overfilled. So, I wouldn't get concerned if the vent is clear. But, I would offer some suggestions that work for me. First, don't use much hose pressure. IMHO, it's not good on the plumbing. Second, if you filled it to overflowing, bleed off some water so that it's not standing in the filler hose. Good luck, Rick D.
On my 40.5, I have four water tanks, each with its own peculiarity. On my port tank, the water will overflow before it comes out the vent. On the starboard side, it's opposite. (The vent loop on the port side goes higher than on the starboard.) The bow tank overfills out of the fill, then comes out the vent. The aft tank comes out the vent, but will leak if overfilled. So, I wouldn't get concerned if the vent is clear. But, I would offer some suggestions that work for me. First, don't use much hose pressure. IMHO, it's not good on the plumbing. Second, if you filled it to overflowing, bleed off some water so that it's not standing in the filler hose. Good luck, Rick D.
check tank
My 290 over flows at filler tube also into the anchor locker not a problem but not in the bilge. One of your hoses going to tank must be leaking into the bilge.
My 290 over flows at filler tube also into the anchor locker not a problem but not in the bilge. One of your hoses going to tank must be leaking into the bilge.
Semi Common Problem......
Sandy: A couple of 356 owners in my marina have a similar problem, and, Hunter is aware of it. A quick temporary fix is to use a hose that fits a few inches down the fill tube. I believe the problem is that the OEM fill hose is just a tad too short, and they streatched it to make it fit. Don't let your dealer or Hunter give you the "Thats the way it is" speech. Hunter DEFINITLY knows about this particular item Good luck ... Jeff
Sandy: A couple of 356 owners in my marina have a similar problem, and, Hunter is aware of it. A quick temporary fix is to use a hose that fits a few inches down the fill tube. I believe the problem is that the OEM fill hose is just a tad too short, and they streatched it to make it fit. Don't let your dealer or Hunter give you the "Thats the way it is" speech. Hunter DEFINITLY knows about this particular item Good luck ... Jeff
Agree with Don
The vent is an air vent to allow easy filling and stop a vacuum build up in the tank which would restrict water flowing out when you need it. The anchor locker is self-draining so that no matter how much you spill, it drains overboard. If your anchor locker is leaking, maybe that needs to be addressed.
The vent is an air vent to allow easy filling and stop a vacuum build up in the tank which would restrict water flowing out when you need it. The anchor locker is self-draining so that no matter how much you spill, it drains overboard. If your anchor locker is leaking, maybe that needs to be addressed.
we don't have this problem
What you describe has not (yet) happened on our boat. So that would lead me to believe that you have a problem of some sort that was not corrected during construction. Keep at Hunter to get it fixed. I don't think it's your fault nor should you have to put up with it.
What you describe has not (yet) happened on our boat. So that would lead me to believe that you have a problem of some sort that was not corrected during construction. Keep at Hunter to get it fixed. I don't think it's your fault nor should you have to put up with it.
I suspect the problem may be the vent line itself
That there's a sag or even a loop in the vent line that allows water to pool in it, effectively plugging the vent line. Water going into the tank isn't under enough pressure to cause air being displaced by incoming water to blow the water out...so it's creating just enough backpressure in the tank to send water out wherever it can get out. If there is a sag or a loop in the vent line, reconfigure it--shorten it, re-route it--so that the vent line arches above the vent thru-hull, and it should solve the problem.
That there's a sag or even a loop in the vent line that allows water to pool in it, effectively plugging the vent line. Water going into the tank isn't under enough pressure to cause air being displaced by incoming water to blow the water out...so it's creating just enough backpressure in the tank to send water out wherever it can get out. If there is a sag or a loop in the vent line, reconfigure it--shorten it, re-route it--so that the vent line arches above the vent thru-hull, and it should solve the problem.
Lets think about this
How fast are you filling the tank? Water will take the path of least resistance as the tank fills. The large fill hose is much easier to travel than the smaller vent line. I would expect the overflow to come up the fill line first, settle a little, then expell out the vent shortly afterward. I wouldn't classify this as a design flaw. The vent is there to equalize pressure as the tank is emptied, not filled. If the fresh water system is operating normally, I wouldn't worry too much. I'd be more concerned with the leakage into the bilge. I'd take great pains to discover wether this is a leaking hose, tank, or leak from the anchor locker when filling.
How fast are you filling the tank? Water will take the path of least resistance as the tank fills. The large fill hose is much easier to travel than the smaller vent line. I would expect the overflow to come up the fill line first, settle a little, then expell out the vent shortly afterward. I wouldn't classify this as a design flaw. The vent is there to equalize pressure as the tank is emptied, not filled. If the fresh water system is operating normally, I wouldn't worry too much. I'd be more concerned with the leakage into the bilge. I'd take great pains to discover wether this is a leaking hose, tank, or leak from the anchor locker when filling.
356 fresh water vent
Don and Alan are right-it's a vent, not an overflow-and like any good vent, it's got a high loop in it under the anchor locker area. If it didn't, any time it got hit with salt water you'd be drinking it! it's actually a good design, and I'm surprised your dealer didn't know this. I've checked it when i had my whole bow interior apart looking for leaks - another story...as to the leaks, I'd look at the seal between the anchor box and the deck-we had a major leak-they missed the fiberglass-directly under the windlass-several boats have found this problem. Also, the hole where the locker latch goes in was drilled too deep and was leaking-and check the caulking on all the bow fittings
Don and Alan are right-it's a vent, not an overflow-and like any good vent, it's got a high loop in it under the anchor locker area. If it didn't, any time it got hit with salt water you'd be drinking it! it's actually a good design, and I'm surprised your dealer didn't know this. I've checked it when i had my whole bow interior apart looking for leaks - another story...as to the leaks, I'd look at the seal between the anchor box and the deck-we had a major leak-they missed the fiberglass-directly under the windlass-several boats have found this problem. Also, the hole where the locker latch goes in was drilled too deep and was leaking-and check the caulking on all the bow fittings
Water tank
On our 356 the water tank straps weren't tight enough or substantial enough to hold the tank in position. When pounding waves heeled over, the tank would slide to one side. the vent line went through an opening in the bulkhead and would get knocked partially out of the threads causing a leak. The dealer recentered the tank and sprayed foam on both sides to lock it in position. No more leaks. Good luck.
On our 356 the water tank straps weren't tight enough or substantial enough to hold the tank in position. When pounding waves heeled over, the tank would slide to one side. the vent line went through an opening in the bulkhead and would get knocked partially out of the threads causing a leak. The dealer recentered the tank and sprayed foam on both sides to lock it in position. No more leaks. Good luck.
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