1978 33' Voyager Fresh Water System

S

stirlingp

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
RO Number
26845
Messages
38
Hello, GREAT site.
I've purchased a 1978 33' Voyager and the seller is not very helpful with my "learning curve" questions. My current issue is the fresh water system. I've filled the tank and the in-line pump runs, but no water continues to the faucets at the kitchen sink & bathroom. Are there shutoff(s) I'm missing? Is there another pump that needs to be turned on? Oh, and how do I have a look at the tank? I've traced the hoses & had my head in every hold, but can't be sure I'm finding the fresh water holding tank. HELP! and THANKS!!

Stirling
stirlingprb2@gr5tpyramidstl.com
 
Your fresh water tank (not fresh water holding tank) is probably pretty close to the deck water fill, most likely on the centerline of the boat in the bilge or possible under a bunk.
You need to get a good flashlight and start looking again, and FWIW, Carver gets creative in putting bilge access openings in places that are very hard to find.
 
Carver will run off copies of some old owner's manuals if they have them archived. My 1990 manual cost $45 to replace. It does have a drawing that shows the locations of all tanks -- but nothing about valves, pumps, seacocks, strainers, etc.
 
I had the same problem this year. Some plastic shredding had found its way into my H2O system and had clogged up the screens on the faucets. Or mabe pump is bad. Unhook water line on the discharge side of pump and see if water pumps out.
 
Stirling, congratulations on your boat purchase. I always wanted to buy a Voyager before a heart attack and our inability to find a solid example of one out East caused me to settle on a 1980 2896 Mariner last year instead...

I'm not sure where the water tank is on that thing. I have a Carver owners manual of that vintage which talks about all the different models, not just my own. So when I go up to the boat this weekend I can take a look for you and let you know on Monday if it says anything. Like others have said, it should be in close proximity to the deck fill for the water tank. My guess would be somewhere in the midsection of the vessel, since I'm pretty sure the deck fill is on the starboard side next to the gas fill...

Its going to be a 70 gallon tank somewhere. You also have a hot water heater with an additional 12 gallon capacity, making the total of 82 gallons. Perhaps you could trace the lines back from the hot water heater, which is located aft. I can't remember if its under the salon or in the cockpit, but its likely a Raritan cylindrical model with a dark blue top on it...

Does your boat have a generator? If not, its easy to get down into that cavern under the salon and have a look around. Manufacturers like Sea Ray and Carver today brag about having a basement in some of their boats - well you have on on a 1978!!! Your fuel tanks will be on port and stbd sides of the boat in that area, part of the A/C unit will be there also (if so equipped - the other part is in the locker on the port side in the forward stateroom) and if there is a genny of course it will take up a considerable amount of space in this compartment...

I'll let you know if I can come up with any more information...
 
Thanks very much, gentlemen. I'm going to spend the day tomorrow searching. I'll check the pump discharge and under the rear hatch (yes, there is a generator, so I can't get in there). For what it's worth, I'll let you know what I find. Maybe it'll help someone else in the future.

Striling
 
Oh, is THAT where it is? Then what is that second fitting on the starboard side? It must be the waste tank then...
 
quote:
Carver gets creative in putting bilge access openings in places that are very hard to find.

Click to expand...

boy is that true. I have at least two that I know of which are covered by carpet. One is also partially under built in cabinets so removing the wood cover is impossible. A large hole saw and metal cover plate fixed that design screw up
:)
 
I checked my 1980 owners manual over the weekend - the Voyager should have two 35 gallon fresh water tanks mounted under the salon sole...
 
So, THAT'S why the intake hose has a "T" in it! Hmmm....that REALLY helps, Thanks!
Stirling
 
We have A 28FT MARINER 1978, Would like to add an genset and air. Does anyone know where I could place the genset? Have twin 350's no room in the engine area.
Rose
 
Believe it or not they eventually stuck a 3kW genset in between those engines somehow. Try doing some research on places like boats.com or somewhere there are a lot of pictures of old Carvers and maybe you'll get lucky enough to find one with an engine room pic and a genny in it...

I'll be away for a couple of days but when I get the chance I'll see if I have anything in my collection of pics...
 
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