Drinking Water

M

Mattesch

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2026
Messages
5
Fluid Motion Model
Ranger Tugs Models
Hi Folks - new owner of an R29. We would love to avoid using bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, coffee, etc Have researched a lot of the older tugnuts threads on water filtration, and was planning on the below:

  • Shock tank (with bleach or chlorine), following process in manual
  • use of Camco in line filter from hose to boat (to fill tank)
  • installation of under sink filter (IcePure, or similar)

Is this enough to avoid getting sick? Or, do most of you guys still use bottled water?

Thanks for your input!
 
Good Morning, Matt!
We use the boat water. We have on all 3 of our Ranger Tugs. I'm careful of what goes in the tank and have a dedicated water hose.
Never had a problem.
Good to meet you at the boat show. See you on the water!
 
When we purchase a new/nearly new R-27, we plan to have a SeaPro Watermaker on board. This will give us a safe source of clean, safe, water while allowing us to extend our stay away from marinas.
 
Not sure if it is most but I know a number of people who use an inline water filter on the fill hose, like the https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-TA...6248?sid=46b0b511-66f0-4953-9e08-100ccbb58fcc. I’m not sure I’d want to put one on all the supply lines but if you were so inclined it might make sense to install an inline filter on one tap.

A water maker is a neat idea, just make sure you count on them drawing a fair bit of power. A smaller very efficient system, like the Schenker Smart 30 draws about 110 watts, which at 12v comes to about 10 amps. They make about 30 liters/8 gallons per hour. The smallest Seawater Pro draws 600 watts, or 50 amps for 17 gallons per their specs. You have 600 Amp Hours of house batteries on the new R-27 (and on the used Luxury Edition with the LiFePo4 battery option) plus whatever you can replenish from the sun (220w panel on the new ones, 150 on most of the older ones). It might work out great. Most of the time you are limited by fresh water, but it’s possible to end up in a situation where you end up limited by battery power instead. If you run the engines every day, that’s probably less likely though, since the alternator pretty much can power the water maker.
 
We have used the fresh water tank as our primary water source for 11 seasons without any issues. We are on the boat 40-45 nights a season.
We empty out the tank between cruises. While cruising we refill about every 4-5 days. In Canada we have filled up in places like Sullivan Bay, Lagoon Cove, Refuge Cove and Echo Bay where the water isn’t tested without ill effects.
We add RV antifreeze to an empty tank over the winter and flush it out numerous times when de-winterizing.
If I was concerned I’d use a filter or carry bottled water for drinking.
 
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We drink out of the tank exclusively. We DO NOT filter the water (inline filter) when filling. Shore water contains chlorine which maintains the water's viability. We've filter the water out of the taps with a britta filter pitcher for drinking. We also added a life straw pitcher when we cruised in the Bahamas. You should have no problems drinking form the tank in the US/Canada as long as you maintain the system.
 
All good advice here. One thing I would add is to clean the screen on your water pump. The first year we had our tug the water tasted horrible and was not much better after shocking with chlorine. Eventually we found that the screen on the pump was black with mold or algae. After cleaning it thoroughly and shocking the tank again we have been drinking the water from the tank for 10 years without issue. The screen is connect directly to the pump (inlet side I think). To clean the screen shut the water pressure off and remove the clear plastic cover and pull the screen straight out. Clean the screen with a solution of water and chlorine. Be careful when reinstalling to fit the screen around the outside of the plastic lip in the housing so not to damage it. Reinstall the clear plastic cap.

Curt
 
zekeandboone said:
Good Morning, Matt!
We use the boat water. We have on all 3 of our Ranger Tugs. I'm careful of what goes in the tank and have a dedicated water hose.
Never had a problem.
Good to meet you at the boat show. See you on the water!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, Steve. Great to meet you, as well. Looking forward to seeing you again at future events!

PS - thanks for the input on drinking water. We will follow your lead.
 
EpicMale said:
When we purchase a new/nearly new R-27, we plan to have a SeaPro Watermaker on board. This will give us a safe source of clean, safe, water while allowing us to extend our stay away from marinas.
Click to expand...
That sounds awesome!! Good luck with your new boat!
 
fishheadbarandgrill said:
We drink out of the tank exclusively. We DO NOT filter the water (inline filter) when filling. Shore water contains chlorine which maintains the water's viability. We've filter the water out of the taps with a britta filter pitcher for drinking. We also added a life straw pitcher when we cruised in the Bahamas. You should have no problems drinking form the tank in the US/Canada as long as you maintain the system.
Click to expand...
Fantastic! It is my wife (not me) that is nervous. I will be sure to pass along your feedback!
 
Red Raven said:
All good advice here. One thing I would add is to clean the screen on your water pump. The first year we had our tug the water tasted horrible and was not much better after shocking with chlorine. Eventually we found that the screen on the pump was black with mold or algae. After cleaning it thoroughly and shocking the tank again we have been drinking the water from the tank for 10 years without issue. The screen is connect directly to the pump (inlet side I think). To clean the screen shut the water pressure off and remove the clear plastic cover and pull the screen straight out. Clean the screen with a solution of water and chlorine. Be careful when reinstalling to fit the screen around the outside of the plastic lip in the housing so not to damage it. Reinstall the clear plastic cap.

Curt
Click to expand...
Great to know. I wasn’t aware of the screen on the pump. I will look for it.
 
I guess one could always stick to drinking wine.

Actually gin and tonic would be another good alternative. Teeth cleaning with beer would keep costs down.
 
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