Fresh water question

S

S Lightly Salty

Member
Sep 3, 2017
88
Boat Info
1987 Sea Ray Sundancer 340
Engines
Dual 454 Mercruisers
I will be filling and sanitizing the fresh water tank this weekend which I assume is through the mid port access point. There is also a aft port spigot I understand is for the fresh water wash. Question is what is the hose connection near the spigot. Thank you all for your input. It’s been indispensable to this knuckle dragger.
 
importmonkey said:
that would be for your city water hookup, so you can run off of city water while at the dock instead of using water from your fresh water tank.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info. That’s what I had figured. That hookup would service the hot water heater as well? Is there a “switch/petcock” to switch between the tank vrs the city hookup?
 
No switch needed! Just hook up a hose (male end) to the inlet (female), turn on the water and you’ll be good to go.
There is probably a “washdown” spigot (male) somewhere back there too. It’s a standard 3/4” hose connection.
 
Not sure if this is true, but someone told me when I first purchased my boat not to leave the city/spigot on when you leave the boat. Reasoning is that if a leak occurs, the boat will fill up with water and the bilge might not be able to keep up.
Is this a common practice?
 
Todd320 said:
Not sure if this is true, but someone told me when I first purchased my boat not to leave the city/spigot on when you leave the boat. Reasoning is that if a leak occurs, the boat will fill up with water and the bilge might not be able to keep up.
Is this a common practice?
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do. Leaving city water hooked up and turned on, when away from the boat, is a recipe for disaster IMHO.
 
i always turn off the city water connection for that reason.

i also don't let my AC on while not at the boat (usually the span of a week) for the same reason. i'd rather my boat be hot inside, than under water.
 
and to answer before asked: no, the city water hookup doesn't fill the fresh water tank - unless you do some modifications and custom plumbing.
 
Strongly emphasize the point about not leaving water hooked up to boat when you're away. I've seen boats flooded & sunk when something in the system fails. Also I don't run the A/C when not on the boat. Don't want to wear it out. Don't even use the dehumidification setting. We have a small dehumidifier that is running when we're not using the boat. It drains into the shower. Keeps the boat dry, but warmer than normal -- which is not a problem for me or the boat.
 
Todd320 said:
Not sure if this is true, but someone told me when I first purchased my boat not to leave the city/spigot on when you leave the boat. Reasoning is that if a leak occurs, the boat will fill up with water and the bilge might not be able to keep up.
Is this a common practice?
Click to expand...
Yes! It’s good practice. Even better is to disconnect the hose.
I find that the absolute best for me is to not even use it, opting to use the fresh water tank instead. I’m always refilling the fresh water tank to replace all we use for showers, washing dishes, etc.. I feel like the turnover keeps the tank fresh.
 
JVM225 said:
Yes! It’s good practice. Even better is to disconnect the hose.
I find that the absolute best for me is to not even use it, opting to use the fresh water tank instead. I’m always refilling the fresh water tank to replace all we use for showers, washing dishes, etc.. I feel like the turnover keeps the tank fresh.
Click to expand...
This is what I do. I tore up my knuckles trying to get the hose on/off, so I just decided not to do that again. I need a short 2 foot hose that I just leave connected, but haven’t looked for one yet.
 
Todd320 said:
Not sure if this is true, but someone told me when I first purchased my boat not to leave the city/spigot on when you leave the boat. Reasoning is that if a leak occurs, the boat will fill up with water and the bilge might not be able to keep up.
Is this a common practice?
Click to expand...
I always follow that practice, turn off the dock water spigot. Anything can go wrong why tempt fate. I just make sure it's the last thing I do before leaving marina
 
The endless generosity of information from the members here has been amazing. Truly appreciated.
 
MiLoII said:
I always follow that practice, turn off the dock water spigot. Anything can go wrong why tempt fate. I just make sure it's the last thing I do before leaving marina
Click to expand...

Several years ago, the 29' Chris Craft that we had at the time sank in the slip as the result of the city water fitting developing a crack. Water filled up over the engines & into the salon as well. The batteries could not keep up and everything electrical had to be replaced. When the dust cleared, this little mishap turned into a $14k. insurance claim. OUCH!!
 
Ok. Hooked up dockside water. All is good. Filled freshwater tank, added appropriate bleach, flipped water switch at helm and.....nothing. Any ideas?
 
Assuming that you have a clean filter at the pump and the pump has no sign of life:
If you turned on the 12 volt breaker for the fresh water pump and you aren’t getting anything out of the faucet and the pump itself isn’t running, then the first thing to check is to see if you’re getting power to the pump.
A cheap 12 volt test light can tell you if there is power at the pump.
If you are getting power there, then the pump is probably no good.
If you are getting no power there, then check the breaker to make sure you have power on both sides with it flipped.
Power on one side and not the other, then the breaker is no good.
Also, make sure the connections and connectors at the breaker are clean and tight.
This would also be a good time to take a few minutes to check the fuses in the panel to make sure you have power on both sides of each fuse.
 
importmonkey said:
and to answer before asked: no, the city water hookup doesn't fill the fresh water tank - unless you do some modifications and custom plumbing.
Click to expand...
How do you fill a fresh water tank? I assumed all boat's water needs would come from hose at dock.
 
Sarah said:
How do you fill a fresh water tank? I assumed all boat's water needs would come from hose at dock.
Click to expand...
There is a fresh water tank on most boats, holds fresh water for the sink(s), toilet(s), and shower(s) when away form the dock, or at the dock. When at the dock, you have the option of connecting a hose, this bypasses the tank and provides fresh water. There is a metal deck plate, labeled “Water”, you open it with a special tool , also opens the fuel tanks, waste tank, etc. open it, stick a hose in it and fill it up! When you buy the boat, it will have an owners guide, read it front to back, back to front, and repeat. Each time I read mine, I would pick up on something new.

Sea Ray boats will have an all metal fill plate, looks better than this one.
 

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Todd320 said:
There is a fresh water tank on most boats, holds fresh water for the sink(s), toilet(s), and shower(s) when away form the dock, or at the dock. When at the dock, you have the option of connecting a hose, this bypasses the tank and provides fresh water. There is a metal deck plate, labeled “Water”, you open it with a special tool , also opens the fuel tanks, waste tank, etc. open it, stick a hose in it and fill it up! When you buy the boat, it will have an owners guide, read it front to back, back to front, and repeat. Each time I read mine, I would pick up on something new.

Sea Ray boats will have an all metal fill plate, looks better than this one.
Click to expand...
Ahhh I gotcha. Thanks for describing so well and having patience. That manual will be my best friend.
 
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