Hey Peggie! I think I've probably bugged you about this before but I'm prepping the boat to go on a weekend cruise (first ever!) and would like the fresh water tank to work. I've had the boat for 2 1/2 years now & have never put water in the tank. I have to drag a hose thru the companionway, etc, etc. I've always daysailed so it's just easier to bring a jug of water. What the heck am I gonna have to do to recommission that? I read your recommissioning guide but should I do something more drastic? What should I look for (besides leaks)? Thanks - you're the best! LaDonna
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Well, first...
I'd check for leaks of course , but unless you find any, the next thing I'd do is run a 1/5" hose from the fill fitting on the tank to a deck fitting (which you'll have to install), so you won't have to drag hoses through theboat any more...that IS a pita! Whether to vent to the outside of the boat or the inside depends on the tank location...if an overflow is only gonna end up in the bilge, you can vent internally, but if it's gonna turn the cabin into a lake, I'd run the vent line to a vent thru-hull. Water isn't sewage...it just needs venting to keep the tank from being overpressurized or pulling a vacuum, so it doesn't matter where the vent goes or what size it is, as long as the tank IS vented...somewhere. Because the system has never been used, there's not much it needs except a good "dusting." I'd just flush it out very thoroughly with lots and lots of clean water. Odds are, the rubber and neoprene parts in your water pump have prob'ly dried out and are toast by now...I wouldn't trust 'em even if the pump does work when you first try it. Whether you want to rebuild it or just replace it depends upon how tight your budget is vs. how much time and effort you want to put into it. Water pumps aren't expensive...valves and diaphragms are in the $10-15 range. Where are you off to that you need to start carrying water?
I'd check for leaks of course , but unless you find any, the next thing I'd do is run a 1/5" hose from the fill fitting on the tank to a deck fitting (which you'll have to install), so you won't have to drag hoses through theboat any more...that IS a pita! Whether to vent to the outside of the boat or the inside depends on the tank location...if an overflow is only gonna end up in the bilge, you can vent internally, but if it's gonna turn the cabin into a lake, I'd run the vent line to a vent thru-hull. Water isn't sewage...it just needs venting to keep the tank from being overpressurized or pulling a vacuum, so it doesn't matter where the vent goes or what size it is, as long as the tank IS vented...somewhere. Because the system has never been used, there's not much it needs except a good "dusting." I'd just flush it out very thoroughly with lots and lots of clean water. Odds are, the rubber and neoprene parts in your water pump have prob'ly dried out and are toast by now...I wouldn't trust 'em even if the pump does work when you first try it. Whether you want to rebuild it or just replace it depends upon how tight your budget is vs. how much time and effort you want to put into it. Water pumps aren't expensive...valves and diaphragms are in the $10-15 range. Where are you off to that you need to start carrying water?
Well, I thought I'd do some weekend warrior stuff
I have yet to overnight on my boat and am planning on some weekend+ jaunts this summer. It would be nice to clean up the galley afterward but I don't want to have to do it with a gallon jug! Rob's taking his boat up north again but not for nearly so long this time. I'll be visiting once or twice but will be using my boat MUCH more than last summer. Just would like to have everything really work.
LD
I have yet to overnight on my boat and am planning on some weekend+ jaunts this summer. It would be nice to clean up the galley afterward but I don't want to have to do it with a gallon jug! Rob's taking his boat up north again but not for nearly so long this time. I'll be visiting once or twice but will be using my boat MUCH more than last summer. Just would like to have everything really work.
LD"Everything really working" is a good feeling!
I remember when it suddenly dawned on me that everything on my boat was finally ALL working at the same time. I'd spent about 6 months trying to get to that point. Of course, it didn't last long...the following weekend, something wasn't working again. It took me almost 3 years to get everything working to spec on my old tub...till there wasn't anything left to replace! But it's been worth it...there's a lot of satisfaction in bringing a "floating bag lady" back to "elegant dowager"...not to mention a real education in quite a few things you never knew you wanted to know.
I remember when it suddenly dawned on me that everything on my boat was finally ALL working at the same time. I'd spent about 6 months trying to get to that point. Of course, it didn't last long...the following weekend, something wasn't working again. It took me almost 3 years to get everything working to spec on my old tub...till there wasn't anything left to replace! But it's been worth it...there's a lot of satisfaction in bringing a "floating bag lady" back to "elegant dowager"...not to mention a real education in quite a few things you never knew you wanted to know.
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