Still new to 272 - pressurized water?

Don S/V ILLusion · Apr 17, 2012

You are confusing terms. "Pressure water" implies shore water connection where the water in under pressure. That part of your system, if you have a shore water connection, is independent from the boat water tanks. Water from your tanks is pumped via a 12V pump from the tank(s) to your faucet(s). A manual pump usually needs to be primed and gets water from your same tank(s).

If your tank(s) have only a "couple of inches" of water in them, they are essentially empty and you will have problems getting either the 12V or the manual pump to work.

Panta Rei · Apr 17, 2012

The systems on a new boat can be overwhelming but eventually you will see that it is all very simple.
For reasons no ones is interested in , I have 12 boats. Power and sail, everything from a sunfish to a 39 O'day. Some purchased new, some purchased used. I have learned very important lesson that may help you.
Some previous owners are complete idiots, others are very clever. Your task is to figure out which one owned your boat. The worst thing you can do is act before you find out.
You are doing the right thing by posting here. I suggest you take photos and try your best to trace the lines coming a going from various mechanicals on the boat and report back.
Here are few few hints. (others people posting will have more and better ones)
Vent lines are soft flexable generally (once)clear tubing.
Water pressure lines are similar but have reinforced with filaments.
Do you have shore power? if so unplug it while you are searching and feeling around. The 120 volt shore power uses the same ground as your 12 volt battery system. A few loose wires can make it lethal to someone rummaging around in electrical panels or around the wiring harness.
There are three potential pumps on your boat.
One or more bilge pumps.
water pressure pump.
and possibly a drain pump for a shower or sink that is below or at times below the water level.
Start simple.
I will assume the boat is out of the water.

Pour water in your sink(s) Where does it come out? Likely it is a short tube to a thru hull just above the waterline.It should not go to the bilge.

Next add more water to the tank and try the hand pumps at the sinks.
Try pumping the head full of water. The head should not draw water from the water tank. It should draw seawater. Check this before you add water to the tank if the boat is in the water. This is very important!!!

Pressure water systems allow you to use faucets that are no different than home. No hand pumps required. The pressure pump functions the same as well pumps in homes. Once the lines are full of water , the pump should not run when you flip the switch. It will come on when it detects demand and shut off again. But this is only the case when the line is full of water and there is no air in the system.

Take a picture of your sink faucets , the pump that is connected to your new found switch (focus on the lines coming to and from it) . Take a picture of the tank showing the lines coming to a from it. This will give others here important clues.

Stu Jackson · Apr 17, 2012

You can learn a lot from the West Marine Advisors: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...51&catalogId=10001&page=West-Advisor-Articles

You can download a free and very good electrical book from this thread: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=904627&highlight=scribd

Pat · Apr 22, 2012

cbourne200 said:
Thanks to all!

Boat is in water. Have diagram as to where outfall of all thru hulls are. Water from sink does not go to bilge. Have sucked residual water from bilge (bilge pump can't pull it all out) with 'turkey baster' and emptied in sink for disposal.

I assumed the water level was the culprit. Flipped switch and let it run 5-10 secs, then off in fear of burning it up if nothing to pump. 'Faucets' are pump style - assume if I get water in tank that pumping handle will bring water to sink if I don't have pressure pump on. If pressure on, assume pulling faucet pump up will allow pressure water to flow.

No, no shore power or water connections. 2 batteries with 1/2/all/off switch. Westerbeke 10/2. 9 gal diesel that may not have been cleaned since installation in '87. Leaking pulpit bases (fixed those and replaced fender washers with starboard backing plates), Beckson opening ports, maybe leaking screwed on plexiglas ports. CDI Roller furler with halyard at mast head. Main with a small (4 in across) area on main that looks very worn, 130% genoa (roller furling) that I've washed, but not hoisted on spare jib halyard. Had boat out 3 times, once under main, twice under power only. Can't wait to get some of these things fixed and get to SAILING again.

Is your hull grey or white gelcoat....do you have a pressure water switch on circuit breaker box or do you really pump at the faucet, i.e. not pressure water from a pump...

If grey hull, then yours is LE Mode...if white, then std. model w/accessories, that were purchased extra...by previous owner.

pgiorda · Apr 30, 2012

You say the pump is in the starboard lazarette.

Fresh water is on the portside of the boat in the port cabin lazarette.

In the starboard compartment is the hose from the bilge to the starboard bilge thru hull in the cockpit on the starboard side. My guess it's an automatic bilge pump with a switch not fresh water pump.

tcwaltz · May 10, 2012

With some pictures we can likely help you out. I had to rework my water system after I got the boat I have a 25 gallon tank on each side with a valve to control which one I get water from. I did fabricate my own pressure tank from PVC as well as installed a household inline filter. I could find filters for the one that was installed. Made a huge difference in performance. Now on my boat I have a seperate foot pump at the galley sink to allow me to wash dishes with sea water and rinse with fresh.

tcwaltz · May 11, 2012

Cbourne200. I'd be more than happy to show it to you. We made a harbor freight run to Pensacola last weekend. I'm down at The Little Marina in Niceville. It's next to where Guiseppi's restaurant used to be.

tcwaltz · May 13, 2012

It's still there but been closed for a few years. I'm easy to find though.

Still new to 272 - pressurized water?

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