What do you do to keep you fresh water useable. The people that don't use the water from drinking that's cool but we do. Now we are in the boat three days a week and use the tank and shore water.
Fresh water system maintenance
- Thread starter dvx216
- Start date
Most importantly, use it up and replace. If you do that regularly, that's all you need to do. A capful of bleach or a water additive should be the only additional thing you need to do on top of that if it's sitting for a bit. You could add those things as PM, as well. Make sure to use up and replace the water in the HWH, as well.
northshore
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2011
- 2,096
- Boat Info
- 1989 340 Sundancer
Raymarine E90W Radar/Chartplotter
- Engines
- Twin 454 Mercruiser 340's
I go through this (- the vinegar steps) every spring
I have two 3M filters in the fresh water system, one that does the entire system and one that additionally does a dedicated faucet and the ice emaker.
Years ago, This used to be:
3M has kind of gotten out of the marine / rv specific things so I'm now using a 3M Aqua-pure 3MFF101 for the whole boat and a 3M Aqua-pure C-Complete for the dedicated faucet and ice maker.
If we are away from the boat for a long time, I'll remove the filters, run the tank dry and refill the tank and reinstall the filters.
I have two 3M filters in the fresh water system, one that does the entire system and one that additionally does a dedicated faucet and the ice emaker.
Years ago, This used to be:
3M has kind of gotten out of the marine / rv specific things so I'm now using a 3M Aqua-pure 3MFF101 for the whole boat and a 3M Aqua-pure C-Complete for the dedicated faucet and ice maker.
If we are away from the boat for a long time, I'll remove the filters, run the tank dry and refill the tank and reinstall the filters.
I have often thought about filtering. We use water from the tank never plugged into shore water. That keeps the tank fresh. I don’t drink it but we use a ton of ice for drinks and after 5 years I’m still here and the twitching stops in the winter 
I do the bleach in the spring, run it thru all lines then let it sit for the week then run two more full tanks thru all the lines…. That’s just to get the bleach out
I do the bleach in the spring, run it thru all lines then let it sit for the week then run two more full tanks thru all the lines…. That’s just to get the bleach out
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Certainly nothing wrong with the bleach and vinegar rinse. But, did you know that propylene glycol (RV anti-freeze - the pink stuff) is also a powerful sanitizer. Even the vapor is. So if you fill the lines for winter and have a quart or two in the HWT and fresh water tank, you only need to flush it in the Spring. Sanitizing is done! And no bleach smell or taste.
We drink from the fresh water tank supply. Generally don't connect the dock hose to the city water inlet.
I do the sanitizing process in the spring. Then at each fill of the tanks I add some water tank freshener, Aquabon or Camco TastePure water freshener. I also have an in-line water filter with a removeable element. Sits after the water pump. The element I have happens to filter out chlorine, so the water freshener will get removed. I do the sanitizing process with the filter element removed.
The best thing to do is use the water. Keeps it from going stale.
I do the sanitizing process in the spring. Then at each fill of the tanks I add some water tank freshener, Aquabon or Camco TastePure water freshener. I also have an in-line water filter with a removeable element. Sits after the water pump. The element I have happens to filter out chlorine, so the water freshener will get removed. I do the sanitizing process with the filter element removed.
The best thing to do is use the water. Keeps it from going stale.
Perhaps, but I find that the smell/taste from the PG left in the water lines is offensive and persistent. Instead of using PG in the water system I use compressed air to blow out the lines.
- Nov 4, 2019
- 2,485
- Boat Info
- 2010 Sundancer 500
2015 Brig Falcon 330T
- Engines
- Twin Cummins QSC550 w Zeus Pods
@BlueoneI have often thought about filtering. We use water from the tank never plugged into shore water. That keeps the tank fresh. I don’t drink it but we use a ton of ice for drinks and after 5 years I’m still here and the twitching stops in the winter
I do the bleach in the spring, run it thru all lines then let it sit for the week then run two more full tanks thru all the lines…. That’s just to get the bleach out
you do actually drink it... Ice melts...
just sayin...
Compressed air can work, if you are very thorough. Low spots can still have water drain back and settle. And of course, compressed air doesn't sanitize. The vinegar rinse for taste works for PG, too.
Abstract from a published research paper:
"It has been found that propylene glycol vapor, dispersed into the air of an enclosed space, produces a marked and rapid bactericidal effect on microorganisms introduced into such an atmosphere in droplet form. Concentrations of 1 gm. of propylene glycol vapor in two to four million cc. of air produced immediate and complete sterilization of air into which pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, H. influenzae, and other microorganisms as well as influenza virus had been sprayed.
With lesser concentrations of propylene glycol, rapid and marked reduction in the number of air-borne bacteria occurred, but complete sterilization of the air required a longer period of treatment. Pronounced effects on both pneumococci and hemolytic streptococci were observed when concentrations as low as 1 gm. of glycol to fifty million cc. of air were employed. Numerous control tests showed that failure of the glycol-treated microorganisms to grow on the agar plates was due to the actual death of the bacteria. "
LOL…. Hence the twitching
Certainly there's more than one approach to winterizing a water system.
I've been using a compressed air approach for 6-7 years on three different boats. Perhaps I've just happened to do it right from the get-go, as it's been very effective for me. The bonuses are:
- Don't have to pay for any PG to fill the water system. (Compressed air is "free" since I had the compressor anyway).
- No risk of lingering PG taste. My wife was VERY unhappy with the residual taste and smell. No one likes a PG-stink shower.
- Bleach-based springtime sanitizing is easy and cheap (a few cents for the bleach).
For certain. What works for you is best. As for the cost of the PG, I save and recycle most of it for next year. I keep a separate stock for engine winterizing.
I have often thought about filtering. We use water from the tank never plugged into shore water. That keeps the tank fresh. I don’t drink it but we use a ton of ice for drinks and after 5 years I’m still here and the twitching stops in the winter
I do the bleach in the spring, run it thru all lines then let it sit for the week then run two more full tanks thru all the lines…. That’s just to get the bleach out
Good call -- I never drink frrom the FW tank other than brushing teeth, rinsing etc. If so I'd install a filter between the FW tank and the manifold.
Pirate Lady
Well-Known Member
Screw into dockside water inlet, tire air compressor. Never failed me yet and no spring flush needed.
Yep. I have one with a hose and valve, and chucks into the air hose. Very handy. Vve is great when you’re working alone.
Little Ducky
Well-Known Member
- Jun 5, 2017
- 2,655
- Boat Info
- 1998 290 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin EFI 5.0L w/Alphas
Kohler 4kW
I just do a bleach treatment at the beginning of the season and all has been good.
Put in unscented bleach (1/4 cup to 15 gal water), fill with water, run through all water fixtures, take boat out for a spin and let the water slosh around in the tank.
I usually leave it in for a few hours while I wash and organize the boat before flushing system.
Remove the aerators and give the system a good flush (x2).
Put in unscented bleach (1/4 cup to 15 gal water), fill with water, run through all water fixtures, take boat out for a spin and let the water slosh around in the tank.
I usually leave it in for a few hours while I wash and organize the boat before flushing system.
Remove the aerators and give the system a good flush (x2).
- Aug 20, 2021
- 1,314
- Boat Info
- Started out as MAYBE A DANCER
Became a Dancer - 12/23/21
- Engines
- 450 DA Sundancer running CAT 3126
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NORTHSHORE'S program is SOLID, which we also follow.
We do add two additional steps:
1. All our household water goes through a sediment filter - this covers the dock too.
2. We carry an RV carbon water filter onboard and use it 100% when filling the tank. It's screwed onto the end of the hose connection - everything with quick disconnects. A 90 degree elbow and 6" PVC pipe make it a snap to fill the onboard tank and we use it both at home and when traveling.
Here's what they look like:
Amazon.com: RV Inline Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector, NSF 42/372 Certified, Reduce Chlorine, Odor, Taste, Rust and Fluoride in Drinking Water, Dedicated for RVs and Marines, Pack of 2 : Tools & Home Improvement
With this regimen we can safely use onboard water for ice, coffee and drinking if necessary. THe bottled water onboard is for purists, and millennials as our onboard water tank is kept clean and the water is triple filtered - cleaner than any unfiltered tap water.
BEST !
RWS
I don't get all of the concern on dock water. If your dock is fed from the community's drinking water supply, it is suitable for drinking unless they tag it otherwise. Taste aside the water meets the requirements for human consumption.
The water at our marina is provided by the local utility and is tested regularly. Now, at least on our docks, there is a lot of water being used; live-aboard's, washing boats, etc. The only issue is the boats connected to the marina's water that do not have back-flow preventers but I think the risk of contamination is very low.
So, I fill my tank through a simple pleated particulate filter and NSF hose; I've never had a problem in all these years.
Once a year the water system on the boat gets chlorinated and I usually chlorinate before we leave for the Bahamas - that is it.
The water at our marina is provided by the local utility and is tested regularly. Now, at least on our docks, there is a lot of water being used; live-aboard's, washing boats, etc. The only issue is the boats connected to the marina's water that do not have back-flow preventers but I think the risk of contamination is very low.
So, I fill my tank through a simple pleated particulate filter and NSF hose; I've never had a problem in all these years.
Once a year the water system on the boat gets chlorinated and I usually chlorinate before we leave for the Bahamas - that is it.
I totally use the dockside water to fill my tanks - it's the same water coming out of the pipes at home. It tastes good and the local water authority runs constant tests. I just don't want to connect the hose to the city water inlet.
- There's a single water supply (with a splitter for 2 hoses) on my dock. Taking 50% of the available connections for my boat would be a jerk move.
- We don't use enough water at the dock to bother hooking up to the city water inlet.
- I'm always leery of the pressure on the hoses from city water, even though my connection has a pressure reducer.
- Perhaps most relevant, I'd rather draw on water from the tanks to turn them over and keep them fresh.
northshore
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2011
- 2,096
- Boat Info
- 1989 340 Sundancer
Raymarine E90W Radar/Chartplotter
- Engines
- Twin 454 Mercruiser 340's
Probably the biggest difference between a regular drinking water system and marina water system (at least up north) is being shutdown for extended periods of time. All of the dock water lines at our club get opened, drained and blown out every fall, who knows what could get in those lines during the off season. Epic paranoia? - Perhaps.
But it's just another thing you people that are smart enough to live where it's warm year round don't have to fight with!
