hunter 41 dual fresh water system question

Feb 10, 2017
305
Hunter 41 Progreso
How do you manage the use of your dual tankage system, if i let both tanks open and i am on the same tack for a long time the water will move from one tank to the other. Do you use one frist and then you close it and use the other one ?
 
Oct 29, 2016
1,929
Hunter 41 DS Port Huron
Have never had an issue with this, nor have even considered it I guess I don't see it as anything to worry about, the tanks always seem to equalize.

@kappykaplan "You should only have one tank being used at a time".
What would be the reasoning for that? Both tanks are below the cabin sole on either side of the center line about mid ship, I don't think I have ever had one siphon into the other and I have spent hours on one tack or the other, and the valve are a bit of a pain to get to (under the galley sink).
 
Last edited:
Dec 25, 2000
5,945
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Alternate tanks, here. Have for many years and seems to work well.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,945
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
My question is why? is there a reason for alternating tanks?
Yes. It helps to keep the tank water fresher in taste by adding city water regularly to what has been consumed. It would seem odd to me to never use the water from one of our tanks just because the other tank is never empty.
 
May 1, 2011
5,093
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
My question is why? is there a reason for alternating tanks?
@DayDreamer41 , I have three tanks on my boat. As others have mentioned, tank water is fresher when you alternate tanks and refill the empty one(s). My pump gets "confused" if I have all three tanks open at the manifold. Another plus of rotating tanks is that when you run one dry, you have a very good idea of how much is left, particularly if you don't have tank monitors for the FW tanks. :beer:
 

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
We alternate our tanks as well. For two reasons. It allows me to recalibrate the tank level when I refill it so I always know it is correct. Second, and most important, if the water is allowed to set to long the chlorine dissipates allowing bad things to grow in the tank. Especially in the warmer climates. I empty one then use the other. If we have not been out for awile and the tank has set for a long time I drain it and refill before using. Or, if I cannot do that, add a bit of chlorine to it.
 
Oct 29, 2016
1,929
Hunter 41 DS Port Huron
I guess I will have to give tank rotation a go, seems make good sense, currently I just add a couple of ounces of chlorine every couple of weeks and it seems to do just fine like that.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,945
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
The first and only time I added chlorine to our tanks was when we purchased our 1991 boat in 2002 and that was when I did a recommissioning per Peggie Hall's procedure. Never had to do it since and water always tastes as fresh and sweet as our local system.
 

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
The first and only time I added chlorine to our tanks was when we purchased our 1991 boat in 2002 and that was when I did a recommissioning per Peggie Hall's procedure. Never had to do it since and water always tastes as fresh and sweet as our local system.
Terry it is not when you added chlorine to the tank the last time it is when you added the water the last time! If you are adding city water you are adding chlorine with the water. Chlorine does not stay in an unused water tank for a long time.
 
Oct 1, 2007
1,865
Boston Whaler Super Sport Pt. Judith
I guess I will have to give tank rotation a go, seems make good sense, currently I just add a couple of ounces of chlorine every couple of weeks and it seems to do just fine like that.
Also, on Maxine the holding tank and one 70 gal water tank are on the port side. Hunter recommends using the port tank first for trim.
 
Sep 11, 2011
428
Hunter 41AC Bayfield WI, Lake Superior
I too rotate tanks to keep the water fresh and to understand usage. The first year we took 4 kids with mom and dad on a 6 day cruise. We have two 50 gallon tanks. We ran the first one dry in 24 hours. After some education we made the next 5 days on the other 50.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,945
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Terry it is not when you added chlorine to the tank the last time it is when you added the water the last time! If you are adding city water you are adding chlorine with the water. Chlorine does not stay in an unused water tank for a long time.
Agree. The purpose of recommissioning the tank was because the PO had owned the boat for ten years and due to its very light use, I wanted to make sure that the system was cleaned. Ditto the entire boat including the clogged holding tank.

Normally I will not empty one tank before using the other. I'll use one tank for awhile then top off at the next clean water source and switch tanks. Seems to work pretty well over the years. I always shower on the boat, which takes about four to five gallons. With guests, maybe more. But typically guests stay for maybe a week at the most.