Water Bottle Storage

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pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 582
Water Bottle Storage

Here's a problem that's not too technical but I can't figure out. We carry spring water from the supermarket in gallon plastic jugs for drinking and the like. I've had two bottles implode in storage, spilling water.

We all know if left on the boat in winter they will freeze and, with the water expanding, break open, but what would cause these bottles to actually implode as if someone stepped on them? It's been hot but not THAT hot.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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deising
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Posts: 1351

We had a scenario that might fit.

We had a dozen gallon jugs stowed under the V-berth and without any chafe protection, a few got small holes where they chafed on the rough fiberglass. Some of the water leaked out, and with no vent, it collapsed the bottle part way.

That takes some time underway in rough conditions for it to occur.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 231

Duane - I have also had that happen to a gallon jug of distilled water carried in the lazarette. It took me a while to figure out that a small pin hole developed in it over a period of time. The water eventually drained into the aft cabin. I don't carry water there anymore.

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

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SailorJackson
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Joined: 2/9/11
Posts: 152

One thing that I've found is that the more expensive water jugs, with the crystal clear plastic, are more fragile that the standard milky translucent plastic jugs. They look pretty, but they break.

Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,

FlyMeAway
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Joined: 3/20/12
Posts: 241

I'd recommend buying an MSR Dromedary or equivalent and using that to store your water (bonus: you can fill w/tap or filtered water at home instead of paying for the bottles, and it is better for the environment!). They aren't cheap but aren't really expensive, either. I've also found that they're much easier to store than comparably sized plastic bottles.

A 10 liter will set you back about $40 at Amazon: [url]http://www.amazon.com/MSR-Dromedary-Handle-Liter-Black/dp/B000FIU2T6/[/url]

Smaller sizes also available. They're extremely durable, reasonably easy to clean, and have a lifetime warranty.

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

caprice 1050
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Joined: 7/1/07
Posts: 345

For dinking water I use a 2 gallon water thermos type water container. It is a small unit like the bigger orange colored five gallon unit you see hanging off the back of highway maintenance workers trucks. I fill it half way or more with ice from my home refrigerator and the rest of the way with water. It fits under the cabin steps.

For longer trips I buy a bag of ice at a marina along the way, dump it in and add water. The ice will last longer if you use block ice, cut to fit.

__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050

FlyMeAway
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Posts: 241

Does anybody drink water out of their tanks?

I'm not sure I would drink the water as-is (I'm leery of using it to brush my teeth, but I do it), but I'm thinking of buying and installing a 3M filter under my galley sink.

Has anybody does this? How well does it work, and where did you install it?

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

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deising
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Posts: 1351

I'll start by saying I clean and inspect the 3 water tanks once and sometimes twice a year.

When cruising, we will use tank water run through a faucet-mounted filter for coffee, iced tea, making ice cubes, etc. I will say that there is a lot of talk on the Internet about bacteria multiplying in the filters, but we have never gotten sick from it. I can say that because we almost NEVER get sick (thankfully).

We have no qualms about brushing our teeth with it unfiltered, but for just a nice drink of cold water, we prefer bottled.

BTW, even 100 proof vodka is still 50% water. Just sayin...;)

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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plaineolde
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Posts: 753

On my C30, I used to store canned soda in the drawer under the galley sink. I guess the engine vibration chafed through one of the cans and.... oooo, what a sticky mess.

Didn't make that mistake twice.

I treat my tanks with a couple tablespoons of baking soda every fill up. Maybe once a season, usually early, I need a tablespoon of bleach, but not often. I have a big household filter on the pump so everything goes through that. Amazing how nasty that filter looked at the end of the first season..! I have a "Purest One" filter in the galley used for drinking water, cooking, coffee, etc. It's probably overkill with the big filter, but I can't tell the difference between a bottle I've filled in the galley with one from the store. So it's effective.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

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Chachere
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Posts: 825

[QUOTE=FlyMeAway;18983]
... but I'm thinking of buying and installing a 3M filter under my galley sink.
Has anybody does this? How well does it work, and where did you install it?[/QUOTE]

We added a filter to the galley sink cold water line, but found that the water pressure was greatly reduced as a result and it made it a PITA to wash dishes, etc.

So we then added a small single faucet mounted off to the side of the sink, solely for "drinking water" supplied by water passing through the filter. The main sink faucet's cold water supply bypasses the filter, which means it has good pressure and also cuts down on the volume of water passing through the filter when it doesn't need to be (such as for dishwashing or when we're hooked up to City water).

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

BudStreet
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Joined: 9/4/09
Posts: 1127

We drink the water out of the tanks all the time. We have an RV filter that we always use when we put water in the tanks and we also have a Brita mounted on the tap at the sink. The Brita has a valve that lets you bypass the filter cartridge for dishes, etc. Both of them contain activated charcoal sections so there is no chlorine taste.

dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 231

We have a whole system filter located adjacent to the pump in that lazarette. When living aboard for 9 years we would have to change the filter every 2 to 3 years. We also put a capful of bleach in each tank when filling with water. Our water is great from the tanks.

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

hilbre
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Joined: 7/19/08
Posts: 218

I use a RV filter when filling the tanks plus I add 1/8 cup of bleach. Last year I opened up all three inspection ports as I needed to replace the 'O' rings. All three tanks were spotless, like new and with no sediment.
We use the water from the tanks for cooking, cleaning and hot drinks etc. We keep 2x7 Gallon water jugs for drinking water and making cold drinks like Iced Tea. In Mexico, it is easy and cheap to refill the jugs from large 5 gallon+ treated water bottles that are readily available just about everywhere. We find the 2x7 gallon jugs last us about 6 weeks. Other cruisers in Mexico have isolated one of their water tanks for drinking water only with its own fill up and feed to the Galley. They refill this tank by ordering a quantity of the 5 gallon bottles from the water truck. We have had no issues using Mexican water and many Marinas have RO water right at the faucet on the dock. One trick I did learn to do after storage was to put a small amount of cascade dishwasher liquid in each tank, fill it fully, take the boat out so it sloshes around and then flush the system a couple of times. This helps remove any scum or slime that may have built up during storage.
On the hard in San Carlos until October
Hilbre

John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135

Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA

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