I'm a new owner of an '86, and trying to clean up some things I can't figure out in the wiring and plumbing of the boat. QUESTION: Is there any reason to have valves between the water tank and the water pump? Is there a reason to separate the water tank? Was this a factory install or done by a previous owner?
You probably have two water tanks and the valve is used to use one tank at a time. By shutting one, you only use the water out of one of your tanks.
Since the tanks don't have guages and are not really visible for checking the water level there are a couple schools of thought.
1. Fill both tanks. Close valve to smaller front tank. When back tank is empty, you know you have 28 gals in the front tank. Time to fill.
2. Fill both tanks. Close valve to back tank. Use front tank. When empty gravity refill from the aft tank. Close front tank valve. Use back tank until empty, then proceed like one.
3. Leave them both open and fill the tanks every chance you get.
The thought behind #2 is if the front tank is never really emptied the water may get a bit stale or skunky. The keys to keeping fresh water fresh; keep the system clean, proper chemical treatmen and use the water. Don't forget the hot water heater. To keep flow through it I almost exclusively use the hot water tap when ever I use a facet. Only exception is when the tank is full of hot water, then I keep it for washing etc.
Mel,
Welcome and congratulations on your new boat.
Ken's right. We use #1. The factory did it that way.
You should be interested in the Manuals section of the website: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Manuals (http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Manuals)
Welcome and congrats on the new boat!
Many members have moved the location of those water tank valves to a more accessible location.
After getting down on your knees, and reaching to the back of that cramped area a few times, you'll know what I mean.
This project and many more are located in the Tech Notes section.
Welcome aboard!
Bob Kuba
OK Bob, you got me curious....
Where did you mount that?
Lance, isn't the (???) pump kinda a giveaway? 8)
That mount is in the second bilge compartment, on the starboard side, just above the bilge pump.
I am sitting at the nav station looking at the bilge area aft of the mast.
Isn't that a clean bilge?
Is it elbow grease? or is it photoshop? :-)
Mel : The reasons that there are shutoff valves on each water tank should be evident by all of the above posts.
In your case (1986) I believe that you have a starboard tank and a bow tank. I believe that I'd use the bow tank until it "spits" knowing that you still have a full starboard tank. If you look in YOUR 1986 owners manual it should tell you the capacity of your tanks. A thought
We don't use the aft tank and only use the starboard tank. We are not cruising for extended periods and sail on the weekends. We have to fill the tank more frequently, but always have fresh water. The PO never used the aft tank either. In fact, i wonder if it has ever had a drop of h20 in it.
Mark Mueller
We try to keep the starboard tank filled to keep the boat balanced better (reduce the port list). So we use it as the reserve (second) tank. It seems to get emptied often enough to keep it fresh. Also always add a half cap of bleach to each tank when filling to help in that area.
Quote from: mel low on April 16, 2010, 11:22:34 AM
I'm a new owner of an '86, and trying to clean up some things I can't figure out in the wiring and plumbing of the boat. QUESTION: Is there any reason to have valves between the water tank and the water pump? Is there a reason to separate the water tank? Was this a factory install or done by a previous owner?
Thanks, guys. Appreciate all the input. Decided to leave the valve as it is and just enjoy the boat. Bob, is that a check-valve in front of your discharge hose for your bilge pump? If so, where'd you get it? I had thought to do something similar.
Mel,
Yes, that is a check valve I found at West Marine.
I know there are varying opinions on their use, but I like the fact that the bilge stays a little drier. Just another thing to winterize I guess. I've had it in for the past four season and haven't had any problems.
Bob - that's a beautiful bilge.... Where can I buy one of those???
:?
Jeff : That's what a dripless packing gland does - for the bilge !! It also eliminates the "boat smell".
Ron is correct.
I also have a PYI dripless packing and the bilge stays pretty dry.
Don't you guys have a issue with raining coming down the mast? That's my killer to keep the bilge wet. But I do have to get myself a check valve I get a lot of backwash after the pump stops.
I have not solved the "rain down the mast" issue.
I presume the culprit is the spinnaker halyard, but I'm not ready to give that up.
Guys : The problem with the nasty smell & corrosion is from the salt water rather than the fresh water.
I'd think hard before I put in a backflow check valve. If I did put one in the bilge pump line, it's one of those items that need checking every month or so. It's not something you should install and then just walk away !!
As far as the rain coming down the keel stepped mast - I've been screwing with this problem for 22 years and have reduce the amount, but can't stop it completely :cry4`. Believe me, I have tryed!!! :donno:
Ron,
There is an excellent article in the April edition of Crusing World on a mast boot seal made with a innertube that has been sliced open and clamped with hose clamps around the mast. That would control the water coming in at the deck level but not the halyard entry/exit points.
Mike
Mike : The problem with the keel stepped C34 (and others I've found out from riggers) is NOT the mast boot!!!!
Somehow (and I don't know how :?:), but rain water hits the mast cap and then goes down the ends and inside of the mast. I've rerouted my spinnaker haylard and taken that exit and turned it upside down and taped over it! I've also lay-ed a heavy bead of clear caulk around the top edges of the mast cap, with openings only on each side. How in the hell water still comes down the inside of the mast is beyond me!!
Like I mentioned, I've talked to riggers and they have told me that "water comes down the inside of the Mast". Guess that's just a fact of life ! :cry4`