Filling Water Tanks

Joe and Carol · August 05, 2009, 04:09:45 PM

We have a 1987 Catalina 34, Hull number 244, with factory plastic water tanks, one forward in the salon and one aft in the rear berth area. When we fill up with fresh water it takes forever with water backing up in port opening plate unless we fill at a trickle flow. It seems to take too much time to fill? Our overflow vent in rear seems to work properly. What can we do to speed up the fill?

See you at the Annapolis Boat Show!

Braxton · August 05, 2009, 04:15:45 PM

Which deck fill are you using?

I find if I fill only using the stern fill that I need to take a break in the middle to allow the water to flow into the forward tank. You can avoid taking a break by first filling from the forward fill and then the stern fill. However, some folks on the board advocate only using the stern one to promote better water cycling in the tanks.

Joe and Carol · August 05, 2009, 04:20:59 PM

We have been filling first with midship fill port then finishing with the stern fill port.

Stu Jackson · August 05, 2009, 06:30:41 PM

Jope, you have a blockage somewhere, and given your report, it's in the vent line. Clean out the vent, check the whole line and continue to do one tank at a time with the valves between the tanks open to only one tank at a time. The aft tank vent could be clogged by bugs, really...

Your boat was made the same week or month that mine was, and we have never had any trouble.

Ron Hill · August 05, 2009, 06:44:57 PM

Joe : I agree that your aft tank vent or fill hose may be clogged. Easy to disconnect that vent hose from both the tank and the vent and "blow" it out to see if it's clogged. Could be as simple as a mud dobber clogging the vent!! The fill hose is 1 1/2" so it's not likely to be clogged, BUT !!

I'm the guy that professes to fill the aft tank (if you have starboard and aft water tanks). The starboard tank has a smaller tank fill diameter that a 3/4" hose will NOT go into. That's why I say to open the starboard & aft tanks valves (by the fridge pump) and let gravity fill the starboard tank, because the aft tank is higher. It also keeps the water in BOTH tanks moving! A thought

Lance Jones · August 06, 2009, 06:47:17 AM

That's why I love this forum! I never knew that the aft tank would fill into the forward tank. :shock:No wonder that when I fill the aft first, it takes forever and then when I fill the forward next, it doesn't take any water. I thought I was crazy. Well, crazier than usual.

Thanks!

Mike and Joanne Stimmler · August 11, 2009, 04:03:50 PM

Lance,
That would only happen if you had both valves open.
Ron's idea is a good one but I still prefer to run off the rear tank first and use the stbd tank as a reserve, then I can use that one until empty while filling the rear tank.
Many options, your choice.

Stu Jackson · August 12, 2009, 10:06:26 AM

Ron's idea is great for filling. Mike's suggestion is on operational one, and both can be used at the same time. Open both valves to fill from the larger starboard aft fill pipe. Close one valve, once filled, to use one tank (your choice) as the reserve, so you know when to refill the tank that is being used. If you fill, and leave both valves open, when you run out of water you ARE completely out!

Ron Hill · August 14, 2009, 07:21:47 PM

Just remember you can't "save" water in your "reserve tank" for long periods of time.
You need to keep water in the tanks moving! A thought

Lance Jones · August 17, 2009, 07:32:59 AM

Followed the refilling from the aft tank guidelines. What a nice way to do it. Went down in the cabin afterwards and shut the valve for the starboard tank. Thanks again for all the great ideas and insights!

Joe and Carol · August 24, 2009, 06:11:13 PM

To all who responded on our question, a hearty thanks. We checked vent line and then filled first from aft, toppin off mid ship. Everything worked correctly and quickly causing those circling the service dock not a long wait for us to fill water tanks.

krafty81 · September 23, 2024, 12:12:45 PM

Found this thread. My 2007 had a water fill fitting forward on port side. Where is the other one? I filled on port side but am out of water now I think. Thanks.

Stu Jackson · September 23, 2024, 12:37:07 PM

Quote from: krafty81 on September 23, 2024, 12:12:45 PMFound this thread. My 2007 had a water fill fitting forward on port side. Where is the other one? I filled on port side but am out of water now I think. Thanks.

There is no water fill on the port side on Mark Is.

rmjohns · September 23, 2024, 12:47:49 PM

My 1998 Mkii has a water fill in the anchor locker and then one on the aft starboard just behind the propane locker.

You can open the starboard aft locker and look down on to the water tank to see how full it is. I typically set a flashlight on top of the tank while I'm filling to see the water level.

krafty81 · September 23, 2024, 01:29:05 PM

Thanks -

Quote from: rmjohns on September 23, 2024, 12:47:49 PMMy 1998 Mkii has a water fill in the anchor locker and then one on the aft starboard just behind the propane locker.

You can open the starboard aft locker and look down on to the water tank to see how full it is. I typically set a flashlight on top of the tank while I'm filling to see the water level.

Thanks, these water fills appear to be all over the place! Will try to find the aft one today.