Fresher, Safer Water

S

sparky

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
215
Fluid Motion Model
C-32 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLC2413G617
Non-Fluid Motion Model
36' Endeavour Trawler Catamaran
Vessel Name
MoonBeam
Giving up on the hope of ever treating the fresh water holding tank with the right combination of bleach or other products, "We" recently installed a Filtrete Water Filter on the cold water line under the kitchen sink. This filter (the "Professional" model) is supposed to remove most bacteria etc from the water. It sure tastes and smells better than it did before the filter.

The "we" part is, I decided we needed it, purchased the kit at Lowes ($49) and dear husband took care of the installation. Ok, I had to listen to the muttering as he tried to stop the leak......but it's all good now. The unit just fit in the storage compartment to the right of the sink with enough room to change the filter when needed. Did not lost much cabinet space either.


Anyway, the kit is complete, and the filter should last nearly a year of normal use. Replacement filters were approx $35 at Lowes.
 
Sparky,
Another thing you can do is put an inline filter on the hose that you use to fill your tank. These can be purchased at Wal Mart in the RV section. They run around $20.00.
 
On my new tug, I flushed out the antifreeze, sanitized it with bleach and then flushed it several times. I then filled the tank with an inline filter on a garden hose (I did not have a white hose that was long enough) and the water tasted terrible. I broke down and bought a 50' white hose, filled the tank with the inline filter, and now the water taste great.
 
Got to have that white hose..... We have one that I attached to our dock that we leave behind when we go out, and another collaspable one that rolls onto a reel that we take along. Both have inline filters as well as pressure regulators. You need the pressure regulators if you are going to hook into the city water supply. While the connector on the boat is a "built in" regulator, I would not trust it with some of the pressures we have seen on some docks. A good example in Bell Harbor in downtown Seattle; 100 psi on the dock! The first regulator which is connected to the upstream end of the filter drops the pressure down to 50 psi. You can also pick the regulator up at Wal Mart for $8.00. Once again in the RV area of the store.

The hose that we leave at our slip has a shut off at the end where you would connect to the boat. This prevents dirt, bugs, or other creatures from getting into it while it is left behind on the dock.

With the filtration system in place, we no longer carry bottled water for drinking and cooking. We use the water right out of the tank. It is amazing how much this cuts down on the amount of garbage that you produce while away from the dock.
 
I agree that the in-line filter connected to the hose when filling the tank, as well as occasional bleaching of the tank helps, but our boat is almost two years old, and the problem gets worse as the boat ages. You never get all the "junk" out of the tank, especially growth on the top of the tank. Steve D'Antonio's article in Passage Maker was my final impetus to get the job done and install the filter inside the boat.
 
Sparky wrote "I agree that the in-line filter connected to the hose when filling the tank, as well as occasional bleaching of the tank helps, but our boat is almost two years old, and the problem gets worse as the boat ages. You never get all the "junk" out of the tank, especially growth on the top of the tank. Steve D'Antonio's article in Passage Maker was my final impetus to get the job done and install the filter inside the boat"
-------------------------------------------------------
Many people will recognize that the waste tank is awful and will not want to stick their hand in it. What you may not realize is that the potable water tank may be worse. My auxiliarymen would always want to dive a sanitary tank rather than a potable water tank. So, the filter coming into the boat is a good idea. The filter on the boat is an even better one if you want to use the potable water for what most people think potable water should be used for.

Joe (who hates diving any tanks that stink)
 
sparky":toahhmm2 said:
Giving up on the hope of ever treating the fresh water holding tank with the right combination of bleach or other products, "We" recently installed a Filtrete Water Filter on the cold water line under the kitchen sink. This filter (the "Professional" model) is supposed to remove most bacteria etc from the water. It sure tastes and smells better than it did before the filter.

The "we" part is, I decided we needed it, purchased the kit at Lowes ($49) and dear husband took care of the installation. Ok, I had to listen to the muttering as he tried to stop the leak......but it's all good now. The unit just fit in the storage compartment to the right of the sink with enough room to change the filter when needed. Did not lost much cabinet space either.


Anyway, the kit is complete, and the filter should last nearly a year of normal use. Replacement filters were approx $35 at Lowes.
Click to expand...

Darn it Sparky... you've just created another task for me to think about. Thanks... :shock: :x :roll: 😀 Seriously though -- it's a great idea as we find the onboard water undrinkable and horrid tasting as well.
 
Hello All
Glad to see this discussion. Was wondering about the terrible taste of onboard water. Thought maybe it was because the boat is so new. Now I see that this is an issue I need to deal with. I'm not sure what white hose you are all talking about...or the filter for that matter. Sorry. I'm new at all of this. Any suggestions about how to fill the tank properly and how to maintain it will be welcomed.
Thanks!
harmony
 
Harmony,

The white hose referred to is exactly that, a white garden hose, which you can get at West Marine or in the RV department at Wall Mart. I don't think the fact that it is white has much effect on the taste of the water, versus a black hose from the garden department. I believe the main benefit of a white hose is that it will not leave black marks on your boat.

Solutions to the potable water problem in order of simplicity:

If water is readily available, use up the water in the tank and refill it with fresh frequently.

Add 3/4 of a quart of bleach to each 30 gallon tank of water.
To bad this makes the water smell like it came from a swimming pool, but at least it is safe to drink.
We use bottled water for cooking and drinking so it does not matter if the water from the tank smells like clorine.
Better to smell like clorine than hydrogen sulfide.

Get a large inline water filter from the hardware store. Attach the water filter to the garden hose when you fill the tank on the boat.

Install an inline water filter between the tank and the faucet.
 
The "white hose" is a special hose used by RV's and boats. It is white in color and is designed to not add any bad taste to the water. You can get it at most RV and marine supply stores, and cheaper at Wal Mart in the RV/Automotive section.

An inline water filter can also be obtained at Wal Mart next to the white hoses. They do not always have it in stock though. Here is a link to one I purchased. Get it with the hose fittings.
http://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/WCInLineFilters.htm
 
I believe the white hose serves several purposes... 1. you won't confuse it with the washdown hose 2. the white hoses have "food grade" vinyl as the inner ply(s) 3. white hoses don't prewarm the water as much as a green or black hose does..
 
Oh...and a word of warning...
because the nasty stuff that the filter removes remains in the filter, remember to never leave it where it can get warm. Refridgerate it between uses if at all possible. The nasties that have been filtered aren't dead they just have a new home.
Change the filter frequently.
 
This past weekend I emptied my 30 gal fresh water tank in our R25. It was full and I turned on the sink faucet and water pressure breaker and it took close to 30 mins to empty the tank. The 2010 R25 has a fresh water tank capacity gauge so I was able to observe the emptying. When it reached almost empty the water starting coming out in bursts and the pressure pump was working over time. I don't know where the fresh water tank pickup point is but suspect I was able to empty it without much more than a gallon left (speculation on my part mind you). I intend to refill the water tank using an in-line filter which I've ordered -- cost $20 via Amazon. Hmmm -- also picked up an in-line water pressure regulator just to be safe as well.

The tip for 3/4 quart bleach per 30 gals sounds like good advice. Thanks.... 🙂
 
A couple of comments about the suggestions and products presented. I personnally think that 3/4 qt of bleach is toooo much. I put in about a third of a cup with 75 gallons of water. This amount was suggested by my very knowledgable doctor brother about thirty years ago and we never had a problem with water in our old boat. We carry H2O in containers for drinking and coffee and use the ship water for showers, dish washing and brushing teeth. We also when filling the water tank, wash the hose outlet or wipe it with bleach and believe the water supplied as potable is very safe or would not be identified as such so we do not use filters in the filler line. Just some thoughts.
Bob
 
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