Fresh Water Usage

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anchordown

anchordown

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Jan 21, 2013
1
Beneteau 373 Grand Rivers KY
We are news owners of a 2005 Beneteau 373 and have spend several weekends aboard the boat for the first time at Kentucky Lake this spring. Last weekend, we were on the boat for 3 nights 4 days. I filled up both water tanks on the first day and by day 3 we had already run down one of the tanks, forward tank, which I refilled. On day 4 we emptied out the 2nd aft tank. There were 3 adults aboard and we ate most of our meals on board so there was a lot of kitchen and bathroom water usage. I was quite surprise that we could go through that much water in just 4 days. Is this normal or excessive water usage?
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
50 (gallons) / 3 (days) / 3 (people) = 5.5 gallons per person per day.

That's on the high side for cruising but would not be unexpected with any lack of faucet/shower discipline.

The last day is weird.
 
J

jacrider

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Mar 5, 2012
20
Beneteau First 47.7 Parry Sound, ON
If you are sailing in fresh water, and I would recommend adding a lake water pump at the galley sink. We have one teed off the head intake to a small pump and a sprayer beside the sink. We use it to pre-wash and post-wash rinse dishes. Helps reduce the draw on the tanks.

Same pump can feed a deck wash down.
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Where to start...OK, first, maybe rename the locations, as in this is not your kitchen, and this is not your bathroom. This is the Galley, this is the head, and y'all are not in Kansas anymore, you are on a boat! Wrap up with some water conservation tips, mostly around not leaving water taps running. Then relax and let your guests run out of water. Some lessons are best learned the hard way. I day of dry taps usually cures this conundrum. Make sure YOU have a good stash of bottled water (and some of Kentuck's finest), don't want any permanent injuries... Report out, I love these stories!
 
topcat0399

topcat0399

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Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
Gunni said:
Where to start...OK, first, maybe rename the locations, as in this is not your kitchen, and this is not your bathroom. This is the Galley, this is the head, and y'all are not in Kansas anymore, you are on a boat! Wrap up with some water conservation tips, mostly around not leaving water taps running. Then relax and let your guests run out of water. Some lessons are best learned the hard way. I day of dry taps usually cures this conundrum. Make sure YOU have a good stash of bottled water (and some of Kentuck's finest), don't want any permanent injuries... Report out, I love these stories!
Click to expand

yeaaa buddy. sometimes we use fresh water up to 3 times before its overboard.

waste knot want knott
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
anchordown said:
We are news owners of a 2005 Beneteau 373 and have spend several weekends aboard the boat for the first time at Kentucky Lake this spring. Last weekend, we were on the boat for 3 nights 4 days. I filled up both water tanks on the first day and by day 3 we had already run down one of the tanks, forward tank, which I refilled. On day 4 we emptied out the 2nd aft tank. There were 3 adults aboard and we ate most of our meals on board so there was a lot of kitchen and bathroom water usage. I was quite surprise that we could go through that much water in just 4 days. Is this normal or excessive water usage?
Click to expand
You could definitely extend the longevity of each tankful of water with a little practice. My wife and I have found that doing "navy" showers is a great way to save water. Wet yourself down, shut off the water, soap up, rinse off, shut off the water. Key to water conservation is to never let the faucet or shower run unnecessarily. When I crewed on a workboat, we often had clients running water constantly at the sink while they brushed their teeth. I would shut off the faucet and explain that the trip would be over with if we ran out of water. I don't shave when we are aboard our boat for extended cruises, or living aboard on a mooring. After you have lugged a few 5 gallon jugs onto the boat from the dinghy, you will think twice about turning on that water faucet.
 
Paul Mermelstein

Paul Mermelstein

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Oct 3, 2008
325
Beneteau 393 Chesapeake Bay
Anchordown:
It's all about conservation on a boat. You and your guests need to reorient yourselves away from land-based habits. We have a 393 with 140 gal of water, and you have, what, about 100 gals. Should last longer than you indicated, but it takes some getting used to and some practice. The navy shower (wet down, soap up, rinse off), don't let the water run in the sink or shower unnecessarily, and wash dishes efficiently. It's just a matter of thinking about saving water and using it conservatively. You'll get used to it.
 
Caboteur

Caboteur

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Feb 21, 2010
349
Beneteau 31 016 St-Lawrence river
We North-americans are the worse water-wasters in the world!!

When ocean-crossing we learn to conserve this precious resource. We planned on a possible four-week crossing, were three on board and carried a hundred US gallons. This equates to about one gallon per person per day. We need to drink about one quart p/d. We learned to manage with one quart showers (using a pressurised garden sprayer). When brushing our teeth we only need water to rinse our mouth after we're finished.

Halfway through we noticed one of our water-tanks was leaking and had to reduce our consumption to theee quarts (liters) per day. We had emergency bottled water reserves for drinking only.

When cruising where there is easily available water our consumption raises to 2 to 2,5 US gals/day. We feel guilty using any more than this.

Pierre
 
knot smart

knot smart

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Feb 8, 2013
92
beneteau 352 Raritan Bay
on our 352 we have a raw water foot pump in the galley..thats nice ... but looking to get a water maker , not in the budget this year ..maybe next year
 
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