Water system plumbing question

V

VTBoater

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30718
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So I'm heading down to CT this weekend to sea trial and purchase the Silverton, and have a couple things to work on. The owner for some crazy reason removed the original water tanks and pressure pump.
My question is does the city water pressure line on a standard install T into the water system after the pressure pump, and are there any check valves or shut off valves needed there?
 
I would assume he just capped the out line from the pump and removed everything. I think it will be obvious how to replace everything I don't have a check valve on my pump the pump uses the back pressure to know when to shut off. The big question is why did he remove everything? was the tank leaking? or did he likely have a little mishap. I don't know which model boat you are looking at but Silverton has been known to place both the fuel and water fills right next to each other he would not be the first guy to fill his water system with fuel. This may have been his was of fixing the problem, most would just pump it out and flush the system again and again and again! Not going to be a fun ride home without a water system in place.
 
That is why I am hoping to get it all working again this weekend, we are making the trip next weekend.
He is an older gentleman in his 70's now, they have owned the boat for 20 years or so. He says he did not like the lack of room in the rear bildge with the tanks in place. Funny thing is he also removed the original water pump, I just bought a new one. I suppose it is possible there was fuel in the system. He has the original tanks that were in there, I suppose I will find out tomorrow if they are good still and/or smell like gas.
 
It is a 1988 Silverton 37 MY. Not the prettiest design, but a lot of boat for the money. This one has some nice custom features that make it a little nicer, full custom bridge hardtop, with a custom fiberglass arch, nice swim platform, etc...
 
The city water hook up should have a pressure regulator and check valve where it hooks up to the boat. This prevents the city water feed from over pressurizing the system and keeps the boats fresh water pump from emptying the tank thru the inlet. This should be a combination unit. This tees into the cold water line, anywhere after the pump. I have seen some people rig up a solenoid valve and also tee into the tank side to fill there tank thru the same source, they flip a switch and once the water flows out of the vent, they turn it off. Kind of neat idea, but not worth the hassle to me.
 
It's really good to see all the ROs getting new to them boats. It sure is a buyers market. A few years ago even the old trawler I am purchasing would have been $20k higher than what I offered and was accepted.
These are exciting times for BE. I look forward to reading about everyone's new boats and what they do to them!
At least I'm not alone!
Bill
 
VTboater is probably on his way here to pick up his Silverton but I'll leave this comment anyway.

The PO of my 34C Silverton, somewhere along the way, allowed some AH to put diesel in the then-unmarked water tank fill. His solution to that problem was just not use the water system at all. When I got the boat, we noticed the diesel smell in the water from either the tank or city water and flushed the tank and the lines many times with a witch's brew of cleaners. Apparently we got the tank clean. Then I changed the fresh water pump and blew out everything in the water tank. The water still smelled like diesel. This last winter, I took out the old hot water heater which really smelled like diesel and replaced it. To make sure I got everything, I also replaced all the water lines in the boat. That took me four weekends and it was a job that I wouldn't wish on anyone but it solved the problem. From what I could see, what diesel there was, settled in the bottom of the water heater. It smelled like a truck stop when I threw it into the dumpster.

I've installed new, clearly marked, fuel, waste and water fills and needless to say, never let anyone but me fuel the boat or add water to the tank,

Bill
 
The good news here is the water system seems to be working without any issues we but the tank and pump were removed. My first thought was fuel in the tank. Hopefully it will be an easy fix.
 
Well, easy it was not, but got it done, and the water system is working. The original owner blamed the whole thing on his wife, saying she complained about water sitting around in tanks.
There was no smell of gas, it looked like it was removed just because. Two tanks, 50 gallons, had to install them with a plywood base, secure them, connect fill lines, vent lines, connect supply line, etc...
My bad luck, the new pump I bought did not work. 2 trips to Defender this weekend. New high flow pump worked great, system is running properly now.
I also installed the new gps, and removed the old double wide help seat and installed a single captains chair. Getting the base height right was tricky, second trip to Defender cleared up that issue.
Plan is to head out next Friday!
 
Glad to hear it worked out, even if it took two trips. I using find two trips to be a minimum for most projects anyway.
 
quote:
Originally posted by VTBoater

Well, easy it was not, but got it done, and the water system is working. The original owner blamed the whole thing on his wife, saying she complained about water sitting around in tanks.
There was no smell of gas, it looked like it was removed just because. Two tanks, 50 gallons, had to install them with a plywood base, secure them, connect fill lines, vent lines, connect supply line, etc...
My bad luck, the new pump I bought did not work. 2 trips to Defender this weekend. New high flow pump worked great, system is running properly now.
I also installed the new gps, and removed the old double wide help seat and installed a single captains chair. Getting the base height right was tricky, second trip to Defender cleared up that issue.
Plan is to head out next Friday!

Click to expand...

Good luck on your cruise or shakedown cruise home. Enjoy the new to you boat VT.
bILL
 
Thanks Bill,
I sure hope to enjoy this boat. It is not easy going down in age and convienence this far. I wanted to reduce the amount of money I have tied up in this expensive hobby. That was accomplished, hope we still enjoy being out on the water every bit as much.

Good luck with your new purchase also.

James
 
Wow, your weekend adventure brings to mind the old question, "Are we having fun yet?" I think you're either brave or a good sport to tackle a project like this possibly before purchase if I'm understanding correctly. Anyway, glad you got it all put together. Good thing you were near Defender.

Will keep an eye out for you at Thayer Beach, Valcour, etc.
 
Hi Nancy, I was thinking that phrase all weekend as I worked like crazy.
I would not have done that if it wasn't mine. The first thing I did when I got there Friday morning was to sea trial again, and then paid for it.
All the projects started Friday afternoon.
I'm sure we will see you out somewhere this summer. You can't miss this boat, it is pretty unique.
The name on it is Classea, not sure yet if we will change it. The guy I sold the Carver to was very superstitious about name changes and would not agree to take our name off. We really liked that name.
 
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