Fresh Water System

[Norman Plotkin]

I recently purchased a 1998 Catalina 28 Mrk II from a Maine seller. The boat was on the hard and winterized when I bought her. I transported her south to Georgia and she was commissioned in mid March. The water system had been winterized. I filled the main tank. At first I had had cold water running in the head sink, galley sink and swim platform. Then, after draining the water tank, I connected the hot water tank that had been disconnected for winter in Maine. I refilled my main water tank and opened the faucets in the Galley. For minute or two I had water (and pink winterizing fluid) and air sputtering our of both the hot and cold faucets, then, after a few minutes, nothing. I thought my water pump went bad. But, on checking, the pump works. I find I have good hot and cold water flowing in the head sink and at the swim platform, but now, not a drop from the galley sink faucets. I have no idea what the problem is. Pump is fine and there are no apparent kinks or leaks in my water lines (at least where I can see them). Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks, Norman

 

[woodster]

your sink strainer may be stopped up or clogged on the spigot

 

[alexco38]

Filter the water before going into the tank.

 

[Norman Plotkin]

Thanks Woody. I will figure out how to take apart the spigot and check that out.

 

[Wes Gardner]

Here's what I'd do, first, turn the pressure pump off and bleed pressure from the line at the head or swim platform. Then disconnect the hose(s) from the faucet at the main sink, now turn on the pressure pump for a second and see if water comes out of the hose. IF it does, your sink faucet is somehow stopped up. Maybe blow back through it also check the strainer screen.

 

[woodster]

Thanks Woody. I will figure out how to take apart the spigot and check that out.

just unscrew it from the end of spigot and clean it out just like at home

 

[Norman Plotkin]

Thanks all. Sounds so simple why didn't I think about this. I will be up at the boat next week and see if your suggestions work.

 

[Wes Gardner]

Like Woody says, start with the simple stuff first and then track it back to where you get water...

 

[Pat]

make sure the water line connection under the sink is still connected...

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Ours does this every spring. Scale from the water heater comes loose and blocks the screens in the aerator that screws into the end of the faucet. Completely blocks it. Unscrew the aerators and runs enough water through to flush out the scale.

Ours never becomes "scale free". Even a month into the season it's a daily ritual to unscrew the aerator and knock out the scale.

I wonder if there a good way to descale the water heater or is it simply time to replace the 30 year old beast?

Chris

 

[woodster]

I wonder if there a good way to descale the water heater or is it simply time to replace the 30 year old beast?

get a new one and be done with it

 

[Ron20324]

How about maybe a large sea stainer on the output of the water heater?

 

[Norman Plotkin]

Thanks all for your advice. It is usually the simplest things. Of course, before I made my post, I took apart my inside and spend several hours searching and checking all the plumbing and my pump. But in the end you were all correct in that the screen and aerator in the galley faucet was clogged. I forgot that the pressure of a boat water system is much less than our home water and even a slight blockage will stop all flow. Anyway all is fixed and water is now running in every faucet and shower on board. Thanks again all of you for your help. Now for the next issue, my 12 volt fridge system.....

 

[Norman Plotkin]

Thanks all, it was the galley faucet screen that was blocked. I should always remember to check the simple things first.