As a new owner of a 1986 H31 I can now understand the frustration over the capacity of the fresh water tank. I am told that it holds 15 to 18 gal. Well whatever it is, it’s not big enough. I am interested in getting information for a solution for modifying or adding to the existing tank. Thanks
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More like 35 gal.
Andrew: Assuming (and you know what that means) that you have the original tank hooked up (which is under the aft bunk), the tank size is about 35 gals. And if you ask my wife this is NOT ENOUGH WATER. We added an additional 10 gal. tank in the aft lazerette. It was easy to to plumb but I think if I were to do it again I would have a tank made to fit under the forward part of the port settee. No matter what you decide to do I do not think you will find it enough water if you do not conserve. I'll be interested in seeing what you end up doing. I know one thing you really do not want to put any more weight on the starboard side of these boats they already list as they are.
Andrew: Assuming (and you know what that means) that you have the original tank hooked up (which is under the aft bunk), the tank size is about 35 gals. And if you ask my wife this is NOT ENOUGH WATER. We added an additional 10 gal. tank in the aft lazerette. It was easy to to plumb but I think if I were to do it again I would have a tank made to fit under the forward part of the port settee. No matter what you decide to do I do not think you will find it enough water if you do not conserve. I'll be interested in seeing what you end up doing. I know one thing you really do not want to put any more weight on the starboard side of these boats they already list as they are.
Soot buildup
We talked to one owner who cut a hole in the top of the water tank and found about 3 inches of soot buildup in the bottom of the water tank. He used a shop vac to remove it and then it provided about twice the water capacity. He then put a openning lid on the hole he cut so he could check it in the future
We talked to one owner who cut a hole in the top of the water tank and found about 3 inches of soot buildup in the bottom of the water tank. He used a shop vac to remove it and then it provided about twice the water capacity. He then put a openning lid on the hole he cut so he could check it in the future
More one soot build up
What they found in the tank was sand and other types of dirt that had settled on the bottom of the tank and clogged the bottom of the intake tube
What they found in the tank was sand and other types of dirt that had settled on the bottom of the tank and clogged the bottom of the intake tube
I can't help wondering...
If the "soot" and "sand" are not in fact, corrosion in the tank. Unless it's been filled from a well, or the water supply to the dock is full of stuff (possible if the pipes are old), I don't know how soot or sand could into the tank....I'd investigate a LOT further if I were you.
If the "soot" and "sand" are not in fact, corrosion in the tank. Unless it's been filled from a well, or the water supply to the dock is full of stuff (possible if the pipes are old), I don't know how soot or sand could into the tank....I'd investigate a LOT further if I were you.
Proper terminology
The proper term in place of "soot" would be "schmutz". This is a Yiddish word that covers just about anything you don't want to stick your finger in. Usage example: I wouldn't use Phil's finger to touch the schmutz in Steve's water tank.
The proper term in place of "soot" would be "schmutz". This is a Yiddish word that covers just about anything you don't want to stick your finger in. Usage example: I wouldn't use Phil's finger to touch the schmutz in Steve's water tank.
RDOnly 22 Gallons
Just to identify the problem a little more. I checked the water capacity by filling the tank and then filling 1 gallon containers from the faucet. We counted 22. The water at the dock is good so I don't think we have any "s " in it. Maybe I just need to get an extra tank. Thanks for all your input. Andrew
Just to identify the problem a little more. I checked the water capacity by filling the tank and then filling 1 gallon containers from the faucet. We counted 22. The water at the dock is good so I don't think we have any "s " in it. Maybe I just need to get an extra tank. Thanks for all your input. Andrew
Let's try this one more time.
Andrew: These boats have/had 35 gal. tanks. Yours has approx 22 gal capacity. The first thing you should check is to see if the tank I am talking about is hooked up. It is under the cushions in the aft berth. There should be a hose that run out the starboard side of the tank, through the bulkhead to the water pump. You should check this first. Also check for some other tankage on the boat. Several owners have abandoned this tank. If this tank is or is not in use (regardless), I would open it and see if there is some "Schmutz", "Soot" or just some plan'o "Crap" in it. There has to be a reason why a 35 gal. tank holds 22 gals. (maybe 13 gals of .............). This should be interesting.
Andrew: These boats have/had 35 gal. tanks. Yours has approx 22 gal capacity. The first thing you should check is to see if the tank I am talking about is hooked up. It is under the cushions in the aft berth. There should be a hose that run out the starboard side of the tank, through the bulkhead to the water pump. You should check this first. Also check for some other tankage on the boat. Several owners have abandoned this tank. If this tank is or is not in use (regardless), I would open it and see if there is some "Schmutz", "Soot" or just some plan'o "Crap" in it. There has to be a reason why a 35 gal. tank holds 22 gals. (maybe 13 gals of .............). This should be interesting.
Doubt corrosion, Peggy
I don't know if it's true for ALL years of the 31, but all that I have seen have integral fiberglass tanks. Nothing to corrode there. One thing that folks might want to take into consideration is that as you add water to the tank, it often will appear to be full, but there are air pockets. You are required to fill slowly and pause several times for things to settle. Unless you see water coming out the overflow vent, the tank's probably not full. To the folks doing the measuring -- you're starting with the assumption that the tank was full. Was it really? Just a thought, Shambie
I don't know if it's true for ALL years of the 31, but all that I have seen have integral fiberglass tanks. Nothing to corrode there. One thing that folks might want to take into consideration is that as you add water to the tank, it often will appear to be full, but there are air pockets. You are required to fill slowly and pause several times for things to settle. Unless you see water coming out the overflow vent, the tank's probably not full. To the folks doing the measuring -- you're starting with the assumption that the tank was full. Was it really? Just a thought, Shambie
Thanks, Shambie...
I was assuming aluminum. On the subject of filling...unless the vent is inadequate, kinked or obstructed--or the fill hose hase has a problem, a water tank should fill steadily all the way to the top without any need to wait to allow "air pockets" to settle. That's a sign of back-pressure...which, under most circumstances, shouldn't occur.
I was assuming aluminum. On the subject of filling...unless the vent is inadequate, kinked or obstructed--or the fill hose hase has a problem, a water tank should fill steadily all the way to the top without any need to wait to allow "air pockets" to settle. That's a sign of back-pressure...which, under most circumstances, shouldn't occur.
Extra Tank
At the weekend I did not have time to really review the existing tank and why we only get 22 Gals. I will do the measuring again .... filling the tank slowly. However lets presume that after drilling for gold and finding "soot" and removing it, I still want to increase the water capacity, has anybody got a good plan for adding an extra tank in a 31. Andrew
At the weekend I did not have time to really review the existing tank and why we only get 22 Gals. I will do the measuring again .... filling the tank slowly. However lets presume that after drilling for gold and finding "soot" and removing it, I still want to increase the water capacity, has anybody got a good plan for adding an extra tank in a 31. Andrew
Alternatives
We use bottled water for coffee, tooth brushing, etc., because that tank has too much schmutz in it (I hate schmutz on my toothbrush). Those milk jugs fit real good in the forward lower cabinet of the galley. What will you be using this water for? We drink canned or bottled beverages, usually from the icebox or a auxiliary cooler. Maybe we all have the same size water tank, but some of us are including the capacity of the hot water tank in our calculations? Have you thought about a dockside water fitting, for direct water connection to your dockside water source? Perhaps you need more water capacity because there is no dockside water source? Who needs more than 22 gallons of schmutz?
We use bottled water for coffee, tooth brushing, etc., because that tank has too much schmutz in it (I hate schmutz on my toothbrush). Those milk jugs fit real good in the forward lower cabinet of the galley. What will you be using this water for? We drink canned or bottled beverages, usually from the icebox or a auxiliary cooler. Maybe we all have the same size water tank, but some of us are including the capacity of the hot water tank in our calculations? Have you thought about a dockside water fitting, for direct water connection to your dockside water source? Perhaps you need more water capacity because there is no dockside water source? Who needs more than 22 gallons of schmutz?
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