Fresh Water Usage

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Shaun Moore

I have a 50 gallon fresh water tank on my 34 ft. Hunter and wonder how much water 50 gallons really is for two people. Assuming one shower per day per person, dish washing in the sink after dinner, etc. how many gallons should I assume will be needed per person per day? Has anyone ever looked at this? I'm thinking of installing a gauge as I really dont know how much I draw the tank down in normal usuage. In preparing for a longer trip I'd like some guesstimates on what water usage is typically. THanks
 
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Bob Pugh

Water Usage

My best guess is that you would use the fifty (50) gallons of water up very quickly with showers,, etc. You could maybe last for two (2) days with that kind of usage. I would recommend that you purchase some five (5) gallon water bags (and a large funnell) or other appropriate container that you can use to refill your tank until you get more comfortable. Good luck!
 
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Jerry Olivero

potable water consumption

Depends on which mode you are in. If you are in the normal American onshore mode of potable water is plentiful frame of mind then you can figure on about 10-15 gals per day per person. If you are in the offshore frame of mind that potable water is a precious resource then your consumption will be about 1.5-2.0 gals per person per day. Using these usage rates then you could be out of potable water in as little as 2 days or you could have water for as much as 22 days. It all boils (no pun intended) down to attitude of the crew on the need to conserve potable water. A normal adult actually needs about 3 quarts per day with moderate physical activity to maintain normal hydration. You should always use the 1/3rd rule which states that your tank level should not be less than the 1/3rd full mark when you predict that you will be arriving at your next port where potable water will be available. My H-310 also has a 50 gal tank and I have always figured that this gives me a 600-700 mile range. I would figure on averaging 3.5kts - 84 miles per day * 8 days = 2*2*8 = 32 gal. of potable water which is 64% of the availble potable water.
 
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Rich Stidger

We use about 5 gal/day per person, but...

that does not include the days we shower. Sponge bath and hair washing every am, full showers every 2-3 days is our practice. We use about 3-4 gallons per shower per person. We also have a sea water faucet at the galley that we use for rinsing all dishes before washing. This cuts the FW usage considerably. Of course, if we have our land-lubber friends/relatives aboard, we drag a water hose with us as we sail along....<grin> Rich
 
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners

Funny story

My folks took some longtime friends down to their boat in Mexico for vacation one time. No matter how many times Mom
 
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Gary Jensen

conserving water

I have run the senerio of water usage on my 380 for a 2100 mile trip (San Francisco to Hawaii).. A total crew of 5 using 1.8 gallons per day (each) would allow me 12 and 1/2 days. That is what the normal sail time would be. My boat carrys 110 gallons.To offset the consumption I would have a salt water manual pump for dishwashing--that dumps into the sink and carry two excess tanks, down low (60 gallons), along with some bottle water. Sponge baths would be the order (every other day) and a water maker..If conditions dictated a fast passage then GREAT!!! If the passage were slow there would be a safe margin..
 
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Tim Schaaf

Water conservation

Consider adding a pressure garden sprayer with a manual pump, to your bag of tricks. You can get this at a hardware store. They are designed to spray insecticide, but make very effective showers. You literally CAN'T use more than a gallon and a quarter for showering and shampoo, and maybe a shave. This is, by far, the best way to shower in conservative luxury and comfort onboard, and will really up the happiness ratio and drop water consumption. But, you mentioned a water maker, so that may make all of your issues moot!
 
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