WATER TANK BAFFELING

[durscheler]

My 1991 C-34 (#1116)has an un-baffeled rear water tank which sloshes annoyingly at anchor. Since this tank is immediately behind the aft berth wall, the noise is amplified even more when sleeping. Does anyone have any ideas to solve the problem short of replacing the tank?

Dave U./Sea Dancer

[Roc]

Have you ever considered putting a sound proofing material between the aft cabin wall and the tank, or maybe wrapping the whole tank??  Just a thought...

Roc-

[jentine]

Keep the tank full or keep it empty.  Unless you are living far from a source of fresh water, why fill it at all.
Jim Kane :)

[durscheler]

Roc: I pulled the aft wall, and there seems to be enough room to put a panel of sound proofing material between the wall and tank. I'll try it out. Jim brought up a question I also had. Are both tanks designed to draw water evenly? Is there an existing valve to operate the tanks individually or can I add one? I purchased the boat six months ago with out a manual, and I'm still poking around trying to find out how everthing works. Since we cruise Biscayne Bay National Park, and the Dry Tortugas, we are often away from fresh water sources for several days so not filling the tank is not an option.

Dave U./Sea Dancer

[Jim Price]

:rolleyes:Since I have #1119, our boats are much closer in design.  Yes you should have two tank valves.  Both under the gally sink, behind the fresh water pump.  Looking at the pump from the gally access door, the starboard valve opens the aft tank and the port valve opens the starbaod tank located under the dinnett. you can open both or either.  Remember, if drawing from both, the starboard tank is much smaller and will run out sooner.  You may not know you are totally out of water until the aft tank runs dry.  I use aft first and let starboard tank help balance the boat.

Check the C34 site for the "Manuals" link.  You can download and print the one here.  It has diagrams for plumbing and more.

[Stu Jackson]

Dave

In addition to what Jim said, if you leave both valves open the aft tank will end up continuing to refill the starboard tank.  When you run out, you're really out.  Plus any nasties could get both tanks.

We always valve off the one that is either full or empty, only using one at a time, so we know whether the 25 or 43 gallon tank is what remains and then refill accordingly.

Stu

[Roc]

Dave,
Had a few more thoughts.  If separating the tank using baffles is what you want, maybe if you replace the current tank with two or three smaller ones.  They can be connected in 'series'.  Another possibility would be replacing the tank with a flexible water tank.  My last thought was maybe this isn't your water tank, but it is actually what is known as 'transom slap'.  This is from the ripples of water that lap against the bottom of the upturned section of the hull near the stern.  You can try putting fenders there to dampen the water as it approaches the boat.

Regards,
Roc-

[jentine]

The sounds at sea are soothing and relaxing.  Why don't you stay ashore if you are bothered by all the sounds on the boat.  I admit that when the sounds get excessive, they can become obnoxious, but generally, the sounds lull sailors to sleep.  Personally, I enjoy the sounds of water gently lapping the hull, water schusshing past the hull while sailing, sails flapping, even halyards ringing and water sloshing.
Jim Kane

[DAVE U.]

Roc: I thought it was transom slap too until I sailed with out the aft wall up a couple weeks ago because of some incomplete re-wiring I was doing. Anyway, I took your advise and purchased some 1/2" sound-proofing from West Marine which fit perfectly between the tank and the aft wall. I wrapped the tank on top and three sides and the improvement was dramatic. It now sounds like that gentle lapping that Jim is so fond of and not like someone is throwing water at the side of my head while I'm trying to sleep.

Hey Jim, are you always so cranky or are you just jealous that I'm sailing and you're shoveling snow?

[Roc]

Dave,
Glad to hear the soundproofing worked.  We sleep in the V-berth, so that's probably why I never noticed the sloshing sound due to a half full water tank. Hope your head doesn't get too wet  :)

Roc-