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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Water Tank

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/10/2007 : 21:14:24

I'm just curious of your opinions on this issue. Recognizing that most fluids consumed are usually from a can or out of one of those large water jugs with the spout on the end, what would you recommend to make the water from the 16 gallon built in tank drinkable? I have an on-demand faucet and replaced all the hoses but the water sits for weeks at a time without being used. I want to be able to use this water as potable if need be.

Any suggestions?

Andy
Breakin' Wind '84 SK SR

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 21:16:44

What doesn't kill you...

I took mine out, most people around my docks only wash dishes with tankage.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 22:18:09

Because some of that water never leaves the tank, you just don't know what might be growing in there... I put a little bleach in with every fill, but I only use the water for washing and flushing. (My head runs off the tank--not out of the ocean--eliminates 95% of the odors, and enzymes do the rest.) I freeze bottles and use them for cold potable water and keeping the cooler cold.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2007 : 22:51:53

We mostly use ours for washing, but I believe the water should be fit for drinking if necessary. I add two ounces of chlorine every time I top off the tank. I did some research, and then the math, two ounces should be enough to kill most everything in there that might hurt you. Chlorine loses it's effectiveness over time, so adding more every few weeks is in order. It doesn't taste the best (reminds me of when we lived in Guam in the '60s), but I make a point of drinking some every now & again, mostly because we sometimes fill up our dog's bowl from it and I want to be sure it's actually potable. We also make a point to pump it completely out occasionally (or as much as you can, I know you never get it all out). This is a pain to do, and I'd like to put in an electric pump to do so, but it's very low on my priority list.

My math was for the standard 13 gallon tank.

For general drinking water, we too will freeze a couple of gallons to bring with us from home.

Edited by - delliottg on 09/10/2007 22:53:26

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2007 : 13:19:12

Hate to bring this up...but when preparing for going onto the hard, in the cold NE

, how do you drain the water from the lines between the faucets and tank?
Thanks!

Edited by - jerlim on 09/11/2007 13:23:18

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2007 : 14:06:16

We cranked our trailer jack up as high as it would go to tilt the boat to the rear a bit. Then just pump out as much as you can get from both faucets. Our winters here in the PNW aren't as cold as yours tend to be, but we did have below freezing weather for several weeks here last year (conveniently after a wind storm that took out our power for a week). We experienced no damage to our water system using this method. If you're in the water, I'd imagine you could weight the stern to do the same thing. A couple of beefy friends and some hot toddies might do it.

I figure with an expansion rate of 30% for frozen water, as long as the tank is substantially empty, and the lines are no more than 50% full, you should be OK.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2007 : 11:00:33

Like Frank, I removed my tank, put hinges on the seat lid, and use the space for storage. I usually carry a six gallon can and bottled water for drinking. Living on Lake superior, we don't have a particular problem with fresh drinking water anyway.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2007 : 11:15:13

Since it's probably impossible to absolutely empty the tank and if you don't eliminate the tank, remember to get some RV Potable water antifreeze from the local RV dealer (or, Walmart, it's cheaper) Be sure it's for use in potable water systems. Add it to the tank and then pump some through the lines. It will taste like ..... wel, you know. But, the lines won't burst from freezing.

Wouldn't rum work just as well and well, you know, taste better in the spring?

Edited by - John Russell on 09/12/2007 11:16:21

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2007 : 15:57:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Wouldn't rum work just as well and well, you know, taste better in the spring?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Alcohol has a nasty habit of evaporating. I empty the tank as much as possible, pour in a few gallons of pink stuff, and pump some through the lines. I wouldn't leave any water in the tank--depending on how it freezes, it could crack the plastic even if it doesn't fill it. And whatever remains in your faucets will break them.

Don't forget to do the same thing for your bilge pump(s).

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/12/2007 15:58:57

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2007 : 21:21:50

Not much chance of freezing here in Phoenix. The best sailing season is about to begin

Thanks for all the advice.

Andy
Breakin' Wind '84 SK SR

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:36:03

Pink stuff

Edited by - jerlim on 09/13/2007 11:36:56

ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 11:39:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Pink stuff

?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That woould be the "potable water antifreeze" made for water storage tanks.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2007 : 12:14:20

Just thought of something else when it comes to winterizing your boat. We managed to remember to pump down the water tank before it froze, but completely spaced out draining the water reservoir in our porti-potti. We were fortunate that it didn't freeze either. I remembered it while at work and told Rita about it. She got dressed up in her woolies and climbed up into the boat to take care of it in 25° weather.

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