When I pump out the refrigerator using the foot pump water comes up in both sink drains. The thru hull is open. Both sinks drain slowly every other usage? Sinks drain well while underway. I do have a shut off valve between the frig and the sink drain line. Is this normal on a C-36? I don't want to tear into the system if this is the norm. Thanks in advance.
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Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
If the sinks drain slowly anyway then you're probably pumping more water into the line than can drain out; hence it rises into the sinks.
Try pumping the fridge out in smaller portions, see if that changes it.
Also: My thru-hull valve was partially clogged with kitchen grease and who knows what. I closed the valve, took the drain hose off, opened the valve and cleaned furiously for a few seconds with a long thin bristled bottle brush. Only a small amount of water got in, and afterwards the drain drained much better.
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
My system does the same thing. I replaced most of the original with PVC and a new outlet hose. My guess is that when one considers the pressure created by the weight of the boat and the water rising to its height in the drain that the pressure of any standing water is less than the pressure of the water trying to remain at its height thus making it drain more slowly. When moving I supect the pressure is less in the drain....just a thought.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
There is one time I found sea water in top bottom of my refrigerator. I had to use the foot pump to pump the water out.
Chuck, my boat does the same thing when I use the foot pump. There is a bit of air and water (occassionally) backing from the kitchen sink drain.
I think it is normal after looking at the connection.
But I have no idea why the sea water would get into the refrigerator?
Jason Hui
Richmond BC
Hull# 2041 Year 2001
Fin Keel , Tall rig
M-35B (KUBOTA V1305-E block) RH 15" x 9" 3 blade bronze prop
"But I have no idea why the sea water would get into the refrigerator?"
I have found that if you heel the boat sufficiently to port water will come up through the galley sink drain thru hull into the refer. When the boat settles back to neutral it does not drain out. Hence the need to pump it out. I leave the thru hull open when sailing as most everything in the bottom of my refer is not affected by seawater. (beer/wine bottles etc.)
Same goes for the head sink drain but with much wetter consequences. I keep this one closed when sailing. :)
Iti Motu
2006 MK ll
M35 BC,
Standard Rig w/LeisureFurl Boom
Flex-o-fold 3 blade 15/9
Rocna 15
Sail #2263
[quote=Jason_Hui]There is one time I found sea water in top bottom of my refrigerator. I had to use the foot pump to pump the water out.
Chuck, my boat does the same thing when I use the foot pump. There is a bit of air and water (occassionally) backing from the kitchen sink drain.
I think it is normal after looking at the connection.
But I have no idea why the sea water would get into the refrigerator? [/quote]
See prior thread on this, at https://www.catalina36.org/comment/48313#comment-48313
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Yes, it is pretty much normal for the pump water to drain slowly from the sink. I don't get much water in the ice box unless I use ice or something in there spills.
As for sea water, the check valve in the line should prevent that. The valve gets gunked up frequently and needs to be cleaned out or the foot pump won't work. I suspect that many previous owners have removed it when the foot pump no longer works. It is simple to clean, but a little hard to get to.
Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999 C36 #1786
Gypsy Wagon
Reading all these threads have given me some ideas.
On my boat there is a shut off valve inline coming from the frig drain. This appears to be a PO mod. I like it and certainly keeps sea or sink drain water from the frig.
I flushed the drains with bleach and things seem a bit better.
I think the tee inline with the sink drains could be higher? Looks like the frig drain enters to close to the water line. By going higher, it would increase the head pressure of the frig water.
Also, I think when the frig drain start pumping air, this bubbling is making the standing water rise up in my sink drains.
Thanks for all the great advise. I will post the results after I change things around.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Gents,
Thanks for the discussion re fridge pump and drain.
This "System" led to a slow, reverse siphoning of seawater on Rigel, which was the source of mystery water in the bilge.
Two things had failed. First, the installed check valve, which was in the boat manual water system diagram, was not functioning properly. Second, the old foot pump would pump, but had a small leak in the rubber bellows. As the pump is below waterline, the conditions for a siphon were present. Additionally, although there was an upward loop in the drain hose from the pump to the sink drain, it was almost below waterline.
I replaced the check valve and the pump. I also created a much higher loop, well above waterline, which, if nothing else, should slow the siphon somewhat, should the failures repeat.
I described this adventure to a couple sailors, both live-aboards. They said they had removed their pump, and installed a cork inside the fridge. They either sponge the fridge out, which they say is seldom required, or pull the cork, let it drain and sponge the bilge. They eliminated one below-the-waterline weak point.
I kept my pump, but did install a cork inside the fridge, because as I was replacing the drain hose, I could feel the cold air pouring out. No need to refrigerate the drain hose...
Jim