Hi, have a little SeaRay, a '12 260 SunDeck. I'm down in south FL and am a seasonal owner but get down there throughout the year every 6 weeks or so. Not sure how to handle the 20 gallons of freshwater storage the boat has. How long can I leave water in the tank between usage? BTW, I put about 60 hours/year on the boat. Should I pump it out every time I leave or with an ounce or two of bleach, can I leave the tank filled between visits down there? I've been pumping it dry every time I leave but if I could know that the water could be kept on board for an extended period of time, that would be helpful. I normally spend 2-3 months there in the winter so the questions is valid for that time period also. Basically the question is how long should a boat owner keep freshwater in their boat without either treating it or dumping it and replacing it. Appreciate all advice even though I expect there will be a range of opinions!
Fresh Water Holding Tank Management
- Thread starter Lidokey
- Start date
Molson
Active Member
I would drain it when not in use, it will help keep bacteria growth to a minimum. Leaving bleach in the system that long would not be good for any rubber parts. I try to drain my while i am away Monday - Friday.
Gofirstclass
Well-Known Member
I never drain my tank, even when we're not going to use the boat for a few weeks.
In the spring when I first start to put water in the tank I'll add about 8 ounces of bleach. I put in about 20 gallons of water then turn the pump on and, one at a time, I open each of the faucets. That gets the treated water through each of the lines and through the faucets. I let that sit for a day then run all the water out of the tank, opening each of the faucets again.
I have a water filter that I bought at WalMart and any water that goes into the tank gets filtered. My water tank holds 200 gallons and I run some of the filtered water through each of the faucets and flush the heads. Since I started doing this we've never had a problem with any foul taste or odors.
In the spring when I first start to put water in the tank I'll add about 8 ounces of bleach. I put in about 20 gallons of water then turn the pump on and, one at a time, I open each of the faucets. That gets the treated water through each of the lines and through the faucets. I let that sit for a day then run all the water out of the tank, opening each of the faucets again.
I have a water filter that I bought at WalMart and any water that goes into the tank gets filtered. My water tank holds 200 gallons and I run some of the filtered water through each of the faucets and flush the heads. Since I started doing this we've never had a problem with any foul taste or odors.
dpmulvey
Active Member
- Dec 19, 2007
- 4,188
- Boat Info
- 1999/2007 330 Sundancer Hardtop.
- Engines
- 6.2 Merc Horixons
1.5:1 Velvet Drives
I'd drain it. 6 or so week old stagnant water is not going to taste too good with or without bacteria. Put a couple of capfuls of bleach in the tank before refilling.
JimFromMD
Well-Known Member
- Aug 9, 2010
- 1,777
- Boat Info
- 2005 300DA, Garmin 740s w/Vision Charts and GMR18HD RADAR
- Engines
- 5.0MPI w/BIIs, Kohler 5E Generator.
I use the camco water freshener in the appropriate mix levels whenever I fill the tank. I don't drink the water from my tank, but use it for showering, dishes, brushing teeth etc.
They used to sell this at WM, but now have their own branded product at 2x the cost.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Drinking-Water-Freshener/14504326
They used to sell this at WM, but now have their own branded product at 2x the cost.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Drinking-Water-Freshener/14504326
mistercomputerman
Well-Known Member
- Jan 6, 2008
- 4,321
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer - 2001
- Engines
- Twin 8.1L Mercruisers - 2009
I dump mine every month. Add a splash of Chlorox every couple weeks. Never had any issues in 7 years.
