New Boat, First Sail

[Ken]

I just purchased a 31 Irwin Citation, after many months of negotiation. The boat is in excellent condition, needing only Bilge pump float switch and new fresh water pump. Just about everything else was clean up, cosmetic work. I purchased the boat in RI and sailed it to Brick NJ. The boat performed under sail better than my expectations.One problem resulting from non-use for two years, was some sort of Algea growing in the fresh water tank. I flushed the tank twice, each time adding a small amout of bleach, but the water is still coming out with discoloration, algea and an odor.Can anyone recommend a method for cleaning up this problem?Thanks,Ken

 

[Harry Anderson]

Algae in water tank

The Citation 31 water tank is aluminum and using bleach in it can cause pitting. My suggestion is to drain the tank, cut three openings in its top spaced to miss the two baffels inside and install cleanout ports. You likely have a great deal of sludge in it.If you want to check the sludge condition before cutting the holes, drain and remove the outlet fitting on the bottom and stick something inside to sample the bottom. Good Luck.

 

[Tom]

Change hoses and filters

I recommend changing all the hoses. It is good cheap maintenance. You can buy reinforced hoses at Home Depot.Also change the pre-filter between the tank and the pressure pump. Also pretty cheap.

 

[hatteras]

Fresh water tank, Freshen up

Ken, We had same problem with our 31. I cut three access holes 6" square in the middle of the three baffeled sections and made three 8" aluminum plates to attach with a cork gasket and SS screws. Cleaned all out by hand and sealed. Worked fantastic, drain every winter and start with a clean inspected tank every year!! Did the same with our 30 gal fuel tank but used a different gasket material for them, also drain every winter and start fresh clean inspected and sealed every spring. Beats storing your boat with 240 lbs of fuel on the starboard side all winter to go buggy and turn to sludge!Also installed a dual Racor filtering system down to 2 micron so if one is fouled we can just throw a switch and restart already primed and ready to go!! Good luck Jack