Association Forum - Backflow preventer for sink???

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Backflow preventer for sink???

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

trent
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2004 : 12:30:05

I talked to Catalina Direct and the gentleman there says that there is no need for a backflow preventer on the sink drain. I explained to him that mine leaks and almost sunk the boat last year when I didn't pay enough attention (I know, I know).

What is the replacement for that part? I don't use the sink a lot but I wouldn't mind having it available.

Thanks \trent

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2004 : 12:38:39

Trent,

Do you mean a check valve or a seacock? Antares has a seacock with a T mounted to it that drains both the icebox and the galley sink. The icebox line has a check valve to keep lake water from flowing back up into the icebox, but there is no check valve on the sink line; presumably due to relative orientations and heights.

P.s. Antares' head sink has a seacock also, but no check valve.

Edited by - Sea Trac on 05/28/2004 12:39:22

trent
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2004 : 14:37:13

I think you're right, it is for the icebox, it has been a long time since I actually looked at it. It is the check valve not the seacock. With the seacock closed it doesn't leak but when I open it, drip..drip..drip.

Any recommendations on fixing that unit?

I didn't get a head sink, I'm in portapottie land too (and time for a new one at that). :(

\trent

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2004 : 15:29:54

Speaking of seacocks, mine seem to be a little difficult to turn, any recommendation as to what product I can use to loosen them up A bit or is this NOT the thing to do?

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2004 : 20:19:07

"Speaking of seacocks, mine seem to be a little difficult to turn"

Is it made of composite.... or bronze ?

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2004 : 09:04:38

Hi Trent,

Snickerdoodle has never had a check valve on the sink side of the galley drain system. The boat did, however, come with a check valve on the icebox drain to prevent water from flowing from the sink up and into the icebox.

That check valve never really worked as effectively as it should have. So, several years ago I replaced the check valve with a ball valve. Since then, no problems with water backing from either the sink or the lake into the icebox. It would sure be easy to put a ball valve on the sink drain side as well if you think it's necessary.

Are you sure though that the water is backing up from the thru hull into the sink? I've noticed that (especially when the fresh water tank is full) water can flow through the faucet into the sink when the boat is hard on the wind on starboard tack (heeling sharply to port). I've seen enough water from the fresh water tank flow into the sink to actually flow out of the sink and into the icebox on occasion. Of course, the most water that we're talking about is ~20 gallons - so, not enough to sink the boat - just make a big mess.

BTW: Simply closing the thru hull valve while sailing is the easiest "fix".

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1595 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2004 : 10:50:14

Bill is right. When I use to own Wind Lass I would get water from the fresh water tank entering the sink . Installing a check valve in the sink drain might cause problems with bits of food debris cloging it. I recoment two things. Use a sink stopper and sail with all sea cocks closed. As for freeing up a stiff valve it depends what type of valve you have. Teflon / marilon are made not to require lube but you can put a light lube down the drain with the valve closed and let it soak in. DONT do this with the boat in the water if your using a none enviro friendly lube. Even vegie or olive oil will work. Use the vegie oil in the sea type head to and keep the pump seals lubed. If you have ball valve / bronze you can use a silicone based lube oil / grease. DONT use WD40 its not a lube but a solvent. It will over time make things worse. If you have real sea cocks you will find a grease fitting (Zerk) on the valve. Always grease these with the valve in the closed possition. Not doing this will just fill the boare of the valve with grease and plug it.

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2004 : 15:48:37

Thanks for the advice. I'm learning a lot about this system. For example I will never sail with the seacock open again.

Now, last question. I have this backflow preventer but it is broken. What do I replace it with? A U shaped pipe of some sort?

\trent

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2004 : 11:35:27

Clam, Mine is composite, I am not sure if the P.O. never messed with them or they are just difficut, the boat has been sailed in fresh water. Thanks

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2004 : 11:41:46

Doug, What you suggest is to pour Veggie oil down the sink drains? and that will work?.. I did use Mineral Oil down the head to lube the flapper system etc. I would hate to use Olive Oil.. too good to waste.. :) Thanks

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

Members Avatar

406 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 08:58:44

Thanks to all for your information, I did the Vegtable oil down the sink drains and it made an almost immeadiate difference..a positive difference :)in loosening the seacocks. Alan

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 15:32:03

Hi all,

Second what Bill and Doug reported about fresh water siphoning into the sink while heeled to port.

I trimmed a cork just the right diameter and stuck it up the Whale pump outlet over the sink. Easy in, easy out, no more flooding.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.