Thought it was perfect! - Oh, but it is a Boat

[Kim Beatley]

I have been working on my 36C all spring. New (machined out of stainless thank you) heat exchanger case for my generator, (Still Cheaper than buying a new generator), new "fancy smart" battery charger that charges 3 seperate banks, clean bottom and running gear, new filters oil, antifreez, tune up, everything working, perfectly. Was looking forward to a maintenance free summer.

Had a great 20kt cruise Saturday in 3 foot seas, to our favorite fishing spot. I sware, this 36C is a battle tank. Waves were no problems, except for the water spray comming into the open windows of the fly bridge. Had to cover the instruments as I do not think they like being doused is salt water.......Left the tabs up, handles much better. Thanks HOF.

Anchored at one of our favorite fishing spots, baited lines and cast them overboard. Went to wash down the rail and ...........no water!

What the heck....opened the hatches to see if a wire had come off the pump, as I did install the charger and working room was pretty tight. The entire bilge was filled with 6 inches of water, pump was running dry and very hot.... one of those 40 year old water lines gave up the ghost.

Needless to say, when I got home, I reconnected the lines and filled the tanks. Too late, the pump internals melted, so...every plastic water line, connection pump, accumulater tank that I could get my hands on was ripped out down to the copper line connections. What a mess.... plastic hoses over the years really detoriates.

New parts ordered today...... IT IS A BOAT AFTER ALL!

 

[jim rosenthal]

Not much consolation having been through a bit of the same, but this is one of those times when you are glad you don't own a larger boat.....

 

[GJH]

Kim's story reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, from a pro captain sitting on their beautiful boat at the dock having cold ones with the crew : "Even as we sit here, things are breaking"

Actually it is one of those times when I am glad I do own a larger boat. Just walk in the stand up ER and work on the FW system that has it's own nice space away from everything else. Allows for a back up pump too.

We are getting ready to down size, and I mentioned to Ann just yesterday as we were getting ready to weigh anchor how much I am going to miss those ERs.

 

[Avenger]

Well, that sux.

Interesting. All my F/W plumbing is copper. At least what's left of the original is. I was considering going to PEX or something similar, but now I'm wondering how that holds up in the heat of the ER. OTOH, it will probably be somebody else's problem in 40 years.

"Even as we sit here, things are breaking"

Too funny and too true.

 

[bobk]

Well, that sux.

Interesting. All my F/W plumbing is copper. At least what's left of the original is. I was considering going to PEX or something similar, but now I'm wondering how that holds up in the heat of the ER. OTOH, it will probably be somebody else's problem in 40 years.




Too funny and too true.

Probably OK. According to NIBCO:

Pressure/temperature rating 160 psi at 73°F, Pressure/temperature rating 100 psi at 180°F, Pressure/temperature rating 80 psi at 200°F
NSF-pw, Complies with ASTM F876, Complies with ASTM F877, Complies with ASTM F1807, Complies with ASTM F2159, Complies with ASTM F2023, CSA B137.5, Certified by UPC, SDR-9
¼", 3/8", ½", ¾", 1" and 1¼" tube sizes available

Bobk

 

[Avenger]

Thanks Bob. Plastic certainly looks a lot easier to install.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Unless I didn't read Kim's original post correctly, the copper tubing was the part that did NOT fail. Everything else seems to have, though.

I had one copper tubing leak early on which was my own fault for not winterizing completely. AFAIK that was the only one, and none since.

 

[sandspur1966]

Roger and Bruce recommended a product called Seatech instead of copper or pex. I had some freeze damage and bruce did a fantastic job with the sea tech, In fact this past weekend I redid the plumbing and wiring under my galley counters (new granite going in next week) and added a manifold to service galley sink, flybridge hose bib, windshield washer and new dishwasher. Snapped together in less than an hour... sure beats rasslin with coils of copper and flaring tools.

 

[GJH]

The plastic stuff you see in my photo coming out of the big pump is Sea Tech. Does work nicely. Just make sure you cut the pipe dead square and the exterior is not scored. I have some Qest fittings back to/at the wet bar that work well too (seen coming in and out of the filter to lower left of Wel Trol tank).

 

[bobk]

The plastic stuff you see in my photo coming out of the big pump is Sea Tech. Does work nicely. Just make sure you cut the pipe dead square and the exterior is not scored. I have some Qest fittings back to/at the wet bar that work well too (seen coming in and out of the filter to lower left of Wel Trol tank).

George, If those Qest fittings are the early variety made from Celcon and crimp connections, be forewarned they are prone to failure from stress corrosion cracking. If you are filtering out the chlorine, they can go a long time. Also if the early variety, the tubing may be PB which is also prone to failure from a similar process.

Bobk

 

[Kim Beatley]

Well a week has gone by and boat is back together and fixed. All of the Original copper piping, which is most of the piping on the boat, is good. No failures there.

What busted was a plastic nipple that was screwed into the hot water heater. A 5/8 inch plastic hose was clamped onto that nipple and extended 18 inches and tied into the copper system. The connection to the plastic nipple failed. Looks like plastic hose just fell apart.

When I replaced the pump and pressure tank, they were all connected with the same old plastic hose that failed. All was replaced, even the check valves.

Get this.....WEST MARINE ....gave me a new pump for FREE!! I ordered the replacement and had my credit card out to pay for it when the sales person looked at my old pump and said,"this one looks new!" I replied yes, it is only a year old, as I had replaced the previous pump, do not know how old that one was, but it was old, only a year ago. The sales person replied that these pumps have a 3 year warrently. So the replacement was free. I did not even have a receipt.

The new pump pumps 2 GPM more than the one that failed and has 20 PSI more pressure. Really pushes some water now.

I cannot say too many things good about West Marine, but in this case, they really treated me right.

Thanks West Marine.

 

[GJH]

George, If those Qest fittings are the early variety made from Celcon and crimp connections, be forewarned they are prone to failure from stress corrosion cracking. If you are filtering out the chlorine, they can go a long time. Also if the early variety, the tubing may be PB which is also prone to failure from a similar process.

Bobk

Thanks for the heads up Bob. How old is "early"? Mine are in the 5-8 year range (I replumbed a valve/Y about 5 years ago). They are push ons, similar to the Sea Tech no crimping. I'll give them a closer inspection nonetheless.

 

[bobk]

Thanks for the heads up Bob. How old is "early"? Mine are in the 5-8 year range (I replumbed a valve/Y about 5 years ago). They are push ons, similar to the Sea Tech no crimping. I'll give them a closer inspection nonetheless.

These should be OK. The old "PB" system with acetal fittings had been discontinued, although some old stock could have existed in hardware stores etc.

Bobk