Water Tank Mystery

[bawlmer]

Fellow Sailors. I decided to do some interior cleaning and rather than drag the hose in I decided to exercise the on board water system. After running the water for a while the pump ran dry. I went to refill the water tank and it bubbled over a short time later. Way before it hit 20 gallons. I am guessing the tank is baffled so I turned the water down to a trickle and it filled longer until a large amount of air bubbled up the fill hose from the tank. My immediate take on this is that the vent is clogged. Does anyone know where the vent for this water tank is? I did a check in the area of the tank and found nothing. I want to ask if anyone had this problem before I pull out the power screwdriver and tear into the woodwork. All wisdom is greatly appreciated as always. Tank is on a 1997 C270.

 

[jrowan]

I don't know about the C 270, but it is based on the C 27, & my larger C 30 have no vent for the fresh water tanks, because it is not required. It is only required to vent fuel tank, so that explosive vapors can vent. Toilet & holding tanks for waste are vented to allow harmful sewer gas to escape. Fresh water tanks have no harmful gases & therefore require no venting, which would just allow harmful dirt, debris, etc. to enter the tanks for contamination.

 

[SimiSAilor]

Take a look at the lifeline stanchions, I think you will find one near the tank with a small hole a few inches off of the deck. This is where the fresh water tank vents. Not sure about your boat, am sure the 30 works like that. Anytime water is going in, you need a way to get the air out. Tube should come off the top of the tank and head toward the deck.
Jeff

 

[Calif. Ted]

On my '94 the waste tank was vented to the stanchion, I'm pretty sure I remember the water tank vent as being in the anchor locker.

 

[SimiSAilor]

Mine is definitely in the anchor locker. Did Catalina stop using stanchion vents when they went to the three digit boats? I remember having issues with the 30 clogging to the point I moved one to the hull. It has been awhile.

 

[Lost Parent]

my 1982 30 has them on the starboard side hull just below the rub rail just below the deck fillers

 

[bawlmer]

Thanks for your responses. I am pretty sure I have enough to go on now. I will let you know what I find.

 

[bawlmer]

I want to thank you for all the good advice. The vent was in the stanchion and the holes in the stanchion were clogged. I rooted everything out with a stiff wire and Problem Solved! The tank now fills to the top without issue. I would not in a million years have thought to look there first. Vent hose was behind the portside forward cabinet and attached to a hollow threaded barrel that went through the deck. Thanks again for your help!

 

[jrowan]

I didn't know about that vent! Learn something new every day.

 

[LakeOntario270]

Probably explains why I ran out of water faster than I expected on my 270.

 

[Meriachee]

Usually the pooper vent that gets plugged and prevents the handle for the head working properly. The hole is just big enough for spiders to see the for rent sign. Same vent on the other side, same inconspicuous place.
Cheers
Gary

 

[bawlmer]

The Other Vent

Usually the pooper vent that gets plugged and prevents the handle for the head working properly. The hole is just big enough for spiders to see the for rent sign. Same vent on the other side, same inconspicuous place.
Cheers
Gary

I think I am going to get proactive and clean the pooper vent as the failure mode for that tank will be much more distasteful than the one on the other side.

 

[Meriachee]

Oh ya Twice this year. Nast stuff.