Plumbing and Gas System
(Notes from the Ops Notes 2012)
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Domestic Water: Two x 20 gallon. The port water tanks provide water to the Vetus Toilet. The starboard tank supplies the galley, heads, cockpit shower and aft cabin (cold supply only). An 80 litre flexible tank supplements the starboard tank and is located under the companion way. A shortened winch handle in the cockpit locker is for removal of the deck filler caps. A water filter was located in the galley cupboard supplying filtered cold water to the galley, but has been removed. Located near the domestic water pump is a small black cylindrical accumulator tank with an air vent. If the system has been emptied it may need bleeding of air (at both the filter and this accumulator). It is easy to cross thread the bleed screw of the accumulator tank when replacing. A guidance note when changing the water filter cartridge is on file.
The Water Pump: is located below the companionway, is wired via the control panel. The diaphragm water pump was fitted in March 2004 and operates to maintain a pressure. Domestic water can be heated from the 240v immersion heater (Renewed 06). You are advised to use bottled water for drinking.
Swim & Rinse Cockpit Shower: (Whale) was fitted in 1997. (Replaced in 2018) This has isolation valves accessible from the rear hatch of the aft cabin. Supplied Cruisermart Part Number 32039
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VetusToilet: The obvious bit first. Only material that has passed through the human body or toilet paper must pass through this toilet, (p.s. not even kitchen towel, or face wipes). The obvious danger with the new macerator is its semi-exposed position. Keep fingers, other bits of human anatomy or any
toilet brush well away whilst the disc rotates.
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The toilet is flushed by pressing a button on the top left hand side of the toilet, 1 press or 2 presses. Then stand back and wait for the spectacular action.
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Fresh water is used to flush. The forward water tank is used for the toilet only. We have not concluded if there is a need to flush generously but in port, with fresh water available, we suggest we start off by flushing several times. If the water tank is low, you can use the showerhead to supply water from the domestic tank.
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As a consequence of this new toilet installation, fresh water only, the toilet waste and basin seacock located in the heads cupboard require opening/ closing. The old saltwater flush supply and the new Waste seacock located in the cockpit locker remain closed at all times until further notice.
The power supply to this new toilet comes from the main panel by the chart table. There is no switch, just a circuit breaker. (It’s the top one on the new bottom left corner black plastic cluster). The power supply to the toilet fresh water pump is on the same switch as the domestic water. The pump, (Jabsco PAR-Max 2.9, Flow 11l/m, pressure 25psi) fitted in August 2007, is located under the companionway with all the other pumps.
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The toilet waste can be directed out to sea or to the holding tank via a 3 way valve. If the holding tank is used it should be discharged when well out to sea by opening the seacock at the stern end of the cockpit locker and switching on the pump (the switch is located by the companionway steps). It is essential that the holding tank is left empty for the next visitor and it should be well flushed on your final discharge.
Heads Shower: The new bits are the shower tray, sump and pump. The pump discharges from the old seawater inlet under the companionway. Keep the seacock closed when not using shower, otherwise you will have sea water ingress. The switch to activate the discharge pump is a pull out version located just to the left hand side of the sink cabinet. The pump will run dry but in any case stop it running when the shower tray is empty. At the moment you still need to mop a small amount of water from the tray sump.
The power supply to the shower discharge pump is protected by another circuit breaker just under the one for the toilet on the chart table instrument panel, and is marked as such.
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Gas Supply
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Calor Gas: Working gas bottles are located in the aft cockpit locker. Port and starboard bottles have regulators (renewed March 2006) that supply the cooker. Single bottles can be exchanged without cutting off the gas supply. Below the cooker is an appliance isolation valve. This should be closed when cooker is not in use.
IMPORTANT: Calor gas being heavier than air and having no natural escape from the vessel will stay in the bilge’s of the boat for several weeks creating a long-term hazard. Every precaution must be taken to prevent the escape of gas within the confines of the boat including the good practice of lighting of matches before the gas tap is turned on and burning out (starving a gas ring) before leaving the boat unattended for long periods.