On-board fresh water plumbing questions

[ArkadiyS]

We have just purchased a Cat 30 (1985), and in the process of getting her home (over 3 days) we used the water in both galley and head. At first, no issues, water pressure was good, both cold and warm/hot water was good, toward the end of the 3rd day, all that we got was a lot of spurting of water in both galley and head (either hot or cold), and the water pump seems to be "on" all of the time when the breaker switch is "on". Is it that both fresh water tanks are too low, or something going on with the pump? Also, any suggestions on how to get rid of a smelly fresh water? Many more topics to come, as we are learning our boat. Thanks!!

 

[rbjenterprises]

Yes, you just ran out of water!

Cycle a tank of water thru your tank/tanks with a cup of bleach per tank. Run thru all hot and cold lines to all faucets. Let sit overnight. Flush out out the next day with another tank of water.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Ark,

It sounds as if your tanks have run low. My 1980 has the forward tank high & the side tank lower. The problem here is the connecting line if you have that setup. My high tank drains into the lower tank & from there to the pump. The problem with this is the forward tank drains first to a specific level. There is a high point in the line running to the lower tank. This can cause your low tank to drain first & then not be able to use what water is still in the forward tank.

The correct setup is to have both tanks with separate lines tee-ing together at the pump. Unfortunately, I don't have this.

You will be surprised how quickly your water will be used. About the smell, RB was right-on about removing smell & cleaning your tanks & hoses. I don't like bleach, but rather use pool chlorine, as it has aromatics that won't give that bleach smell I turn on all faucets and drain almost all the way down. I then fill by hose while adding the chlorine. For shocking, I use two cups per tank. Let sit, drain rinse & fill with fresh (2 OZ per tank).

CR

 

[Bob4203]

Do not forget that you have a gate valve in the front of the v-berth tank that allows it to drain to the lower tank as Ron described. Check to make sure that valve is open. Check for any gate valve on the starboard settee water tank as well and ensure thats wide open.

Yes, you can use up those galllons of water in no time so its best to conserve!!

I agree with Ron on cleaning out the tanks with a hypochlorite solution. You might be getting a sulfur (rotten egg) smell as well just running the hot water, which is a sign that bacteria is accumulating on the heating element. Running the hot water to flush out the tank several times helps to eliminate the odor.

Bob
'88 Mark II

 

[mortyd]

NEVER USE BLEACH, IT IS POISON. use hydrogen peroxide.

 

[philwsailz]

Why is bleach present in every minicipal water supply then? Chlorine is commonly used to keep public water supplies clean and safe.

I would not worry about a small amount of bleach in the water system. I use it all the time to keep my fresh water system in my RV sweet.

 

[Forrest15112]

Peggie Hall has posted some excellent guidelines on this subject. Search "commission fresh water tank" and you should find some directions. She basically advises to flush system with a bleach mixture.

 

[Bob4203]

Regarding Chlorination...............I inspected small and large municipal potable water supply systems for years where both hypochlorination and gas chlorination was used. At most marina's you can count on municipal systems to provide chlorinated water supplies. The chlorine will dissipate as chlorine gas released from the aggitation orm ovement of the onboard water tanks after filling. Whenever I fill my tank(s) I add an extra tablespoon or two of chlorine bleach just to attack any bacteria that might have developed when away from the boat (which could be weeks). I will admit though that we use onboard water for cleaning, showering, etc, never mixed with the scotch and on occasion might find its way in the coffee pot!

You can abuse the use of chlorine as a dissinfectant by using stronger concentrations, which will be harmful. Always use good judgement when adding to water supplies.

Bob

 

[jimmcgee]

When you add bleach to your tanks, make sure you remove the aerators from your faucets. You may dislodge a lot of accumulated gunk from the lines that will clog the screens if they're left in place.

We "shock" our fresh water system with bleach each spring and have a charcoal filter that feeds both the boat's dockside water connection and the hose we use to fill the tanks.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1014681&highlight=recommission

This comes up regularly. A search on "recommission" finds it all the time.

Spend some time figuring out your system. On most Catalinas, there should be two valves, one for each tank, before the pump (not necessarily at the pump). We leave one valve closed until the first tank runs out. I use the larger tank normally, then switch over. This saves on buying and installing tank level monitors, since when the first tank is empty I simply switch over the "backup" smaller tank and refill the larger one. Don't leave both valves open or else you will run out, as you did, and not know it's coming. It's a "management" issue.

Good luck, congratulations on your new boat.

 

[ArkadiyS]

thanks a lot for all of these contributions!!! Our boat came with a full set of manuals and i will be studying the plumbing diagram to figure out the system and valves. Pool chlorine sounds like a great idea and i will flush the tanks as suggested.

 

[PirateLisa]

Your boat came with a full set of manuals???
Can you scan those for us?

 

[The Garbone]

We have a salt water foot pump and will also be adding a fresh water foot pump on our boat. Helps to conserve water and it is also nice not to have to grab the knob with dirty paws.

 

[ArkadiyS]

PirateLisa, Cat 30 manuals are all over the place on the web, including from CatalinaDirect. I found full PDF versions of the Boat User Guide, Summary Guide, Engine Guide (incl. Service Manual, and Parts Listing). There is a great website that has a lot of instructions, pictures and links for M25 engine related topics - www.reality.check.me. Good luck!

 

[ArkadiyS]

sorry.. wrong site address. This is the right one - http://realitycheck.me/universal-m25-diesel.htm.

 

[Me and Boo]

You might also want to check your fresh water lines. Those might have goo and leaks. Also, I found a water filter in the water lines behind the galley drawer cabinet. It had not been drained at some time and was leaking, fortunately into the bilge.