Initial Inspection Water System

Initial Inspection - Water System

Indra's advertisement stated that water tank capacity was 560 liters or about 148 gallons. That the galley sink was equipped with pressurized water plus a manual fresh water pump. The head shower and sink had pressurized water, but only cold water. On initial inspection of Indra, the circuit breaker for the water pump was found taped over in the Off position and a note on the engine start panel advised; "Keep fresh water pump off at all times." Issues/problems were anticipated.

Review of old papers found aboard from a previous owner in 1996 revealed at that time, this boat had both hot and cold water. It also had a hot water tank powered by 110 VAC electrical power and was also tied into the engine coolant system as an additional water heating source. Further review of previous owners logs indicated that a Panasonic water filter was installed in August 2011, then disconnected due to causing suspected water pressure leaks.

Engaged the freshwater pump circuit breaker and the pump activated. It was located directly below the galley sink, mounted to the cabinet wall, and was covered with a plastic sheet to protect it from water that could only come from above, the galley sink - would need to investigate possible galley sink leak at a later time. Moving the plastic sheet up and out of the way revealed a severely rusted Shurflo Smart Sensor 4.0 diaphragm pump, part number 4901-0211, manufactured in February 2006; the manual was obtained from manufacture's website.

Added to the To Do List:

B0154 – Investigate possible galley sink leak.

Checked the galley sink, head sink, and shower faucets; and all were closed with no water leaks present. Operated each faucet and verified water flow until no air bubbles present, then closed them. Next checked the visible plumbing hoses under the galley and head cabinets and again, found no water leaks. Could not hear, see, or find a water leak; yet the pump continued to run, so finally disengaged the freshwater pump circuit breaker. Checked the circuit breaker rating which was 15 amp and matched manufacture's installation requirements. Internet research revealed similar problems of this type with this pump and most issues were internal to the pump; sensor failure, valve/diaphragm failure, etc.

Added to the To Do List:

A0155 – Obtain replacement water pump.

Next was to figure out the fresh water installation concept. The water tank, made of 304 stainless steel, was located on the center of the keel line, forward of the diesel tank, and just inboard of the head facilities. The tank had evidence of corrosion, but not significant enough to raise concerns. At one time a water fluid level sensor was installed based on the hole pattern drilled into the top of the tank access plate, but was no longer present; instead a manual dip stick was stored atop the tank.

Added to the To Do List:

B0156 - Obtain water tank fluid level sensor.
A0157 - Remove water tank access plate. Sanitize/clean tank and hose lines.

The water fill was by a standard 1 1/2 inch deck fitting located on the forward port side. The deck fitting appeared to have been recently reinstalled, due to elevated mount surface and freshly painted deck area. Below deck, the fitting had a white 1 1/2 inch hose connected that was located inside the head top forward cabinet. The hose ran downward from the deck fitting, aft through the head sink cabinet, through a wood panel to the port side settee, and then turned inboard, through another wood panel, to the water tank. Was not able determine how to access the area where the hose connected to the tank. Minor hose chaffing was observed at areas the hose was in contact with wood panels.

Added to the To Do List:

A0158 – Add chafe protection to water fill hose.

The water tank air vent hose ran straight aft from the tank, then turned to port and was routed under the galley cabinets, exited through a wood wall into the cockpit port lazarette, was routed upwards, and was connected to a air vent fitting mounted in the port cockpit coaming. The fuel tank air vent hose followed this same route. Also observed two U shaped copper tubes mounted in the deck by the port and starboard cap/intermediate shroud chain plates that appeared to be air vents, but unused. Assumed these unused vents possibly allowed water intrusion at points of heel resulting in the relocation of new air vents to the much higher, port cockpit coaming location. Could not fathom why these unused ports remained installed after the deck was recently reworked and painted.

Added to the To Do List:

B0159 – Remove unused tank air vents and seal location.

The water hose from the tank was routed directly aft, over the diesel tank, and to the inside of the galley sink cabinet. A T connection split the hose to the Shurflo water pump and a Whale Gusher Manual Galley MK3 foot pump (P/N GP0550 right hand version) - the manual was obtained from manufacture's website. The output of the Shurflo water pump was connected to another T connection that split the output to the galley sink faucet and the other side routed water to the head sink and shower. The output of the manual foot pump was connected to a spigot at the galley sink. An additional Whale Gusher Galley MK3 foot pump (P/N GP0551 left hand version) was installed that routed seawater from a 3/4 inch thru hull up to a separate spigot at the galley sink. Review of previous owners log indicated that one of the MK3 pumps was repaired in April 2012 with a Whale Gusher service kit.

Added to the To Do List:

B0160 - Obtain spare Whale Gusher Galley Mk3 Service Kit P/N AK0553.
A0161 - Obtain and install a General Ecology Seagull IV X-1K Water Purifier.

The water hose from the pump to the head was routed forward atop the diesel and water tanks, then turned to port, and was routed to underneath the sink cabinet. The hose was then split by a T connection to the shower and sink connections. At both the shower and sink, another T connection was installed to allow routing the hose to both the hot and cold water faucets.

Added to the To Do List:

A0162 – Obtain combination sink/shower fixture - eliminate current shower fixtures.

Summary: The option for hot water was considered to be desirable. The addition of a hot water heater to be connected to the engine coolant system for primary heat source with optional electrical connection was added to the work list. Numerous hose clamps exhibited corrosion and will need to be replaced.

Added to the To Do List:

B0163 – Obtain hot water tank and install support plumbing.
A0164 - Replace corroded water hose clamps.