Draining the water tank?

C-Duck · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:42 am Post subject: Draining the water tank?

Well - winter is just about here in AK and I made the mistake of filling up the water tank to the top on my 22' C-Dory cruiser a couple weeks back (only to never use any of the water!). We have been getting consistent frosts up here in Anchorage and now I need to drain the 20 or so gallons in there before I get a big chunk of ice. Any ideas or suggestions? I've spent about half an hour pumping the little rubber ball and have only drained about a third of it - definitely not the most efficient method. What does everybody else do?

Thanks in advance for any help.

JIMSWEET · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:43 am Post subject:

Hi C-Duck,

I've used a tygon tube to siphon it out... works well. I wondered about if it would get all the water out... things were fine in the spring after many days of single digit temps.

Jim

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:33 am Post subject: Winterizing

There have been several threads on this topic over the years. Here's one that gives some good ideas.

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

My CD 22 had a "T" in the hose which went from the port side where the water tank is, to the starboard side (galley). The plug could be removed from the "T" and the water would drain out. This was very handy for cleaning and draining the tank.

Hayesie Daze · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

I tried siphoning kits but it was just as bad as the foot pump (of course I purchased the cheapest which may have played a small part). I got a small hose that fit securely over the faucet and hooked up my hand bilge pump and it took about 10 minutes. I added RV antifreeze and used the foot pump until the antifreeze came out of the faucet. I hope this helps.

Wayne McCown · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Has anyone ever tapped into the feed tube between the water tank and pump? Could one install a tee and side tube for draining the tank? Would that work?

C-Pelican · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

I have Bob's old CD22 and yes, that T fitting on the inside of the cabin, under the rear door, works very conveniently to drain the water tank.

Just buy a T with a gasketed cap on the third (drain) end and bamn! you are set.

Jeff

Chester · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

Siphon the water out with a length of clear plastic hose. 3/8" inside diameter X 10' long will work. Slip the hose over the water spout, hang it out the side window and pump a few times to start the siphon.

breausaw · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

jennykatz · Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject: pump

Save yourself some foot pain .Go and put in a elec pump turn it on and drain away . Put in a T and put in a hose bib for the cockpit and have a fresh water shower also. Look at Duck photos have fun

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:36 am Post subject: Re: pump

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

The electric pump, t-fitting, and hose bib for a shower are all great ideas!

The only drawback is that you generally use quite a bit more water rinsing dishes, etc, with the electric pump than you would with a hand or foot pump.

My electric doesn't have a valve to regulate the amount of water flowing out of the sink tap. Perhaps adding a faucet fitting with a valve to control water volume would help conserve your fresh water.

Of course, a lot of this concern is determined by just how hard it is to replace the fresh water. If you can do it daily, no sweat. If you have to go for 4-5 or more days between refills, then conservation is a major issue.

Fresh water cruisers can pump lake/river water for the shower function, and adding a Sun Shower (black heating bag) will help with the temperature issue.

Lots of different problems and solutions for different situations.

Joe. Teeth

breausaw · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

I personally will stay with the foot pump, saves water and keeps things simple.
If we lived somewhere with marinas were you could stay the night and plug into shore power like an RV park, yea maybe, but what fun would that be?
We transitioned from RVing in a nice 5th wheel to our little CD, and so doing went from hot and cold running water to a single cold spigot and foot pump.
At first the foot pump seemed arduous and inconvenient, but after 30 overnights on the hook this summer we wouldn’t have it any other way.

KISS

Grumpy · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

You can buy neat little attachements from Ace Hardware (and others) that fit on the end of the faucet and switch off the flow at the touch of a plastic lever. These are really good when you have an electric pump because you can control/restrict the flow without either turning the tap or switching off the pump. Saves a LOT of water when you are working in the sink.

BUT you have to remember to switch off the pump afterwards or you leave the system under pressure.

Careful which one you get. Some do not shut off 100% and some have cheapo plastic threads which quickly break.

Merv

tpbrady · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

I take the four screws out of the site tube and put the tube between the removable floor boards. It will drain the tank down to almost the bottom. Put in a 1/2 gallon of RV antifreeze and hit the pump a few times.