Fresh Water Plumbing - What a Hose Job

Of course, new plumbing systems require new plumbing!  As always, one thing begets another.  What is both fun and work at the same time is being able to plan something from scratch, well, almost scratch. 

As with most of the restoration of Harmony, we had to tear out and replace systems.  The fresh water plumbing system was a key item on the list.  The hoses had to be run and secured before the major furniture fabrication could be started.  To do this, we needed to confirm how we wanted to manage the water flow and what equipment we needed to have where.

Since we weren't changing the general layout of the boat and its head sinks, showers, and galley sinks, we were able to concentrate on organizing the flow of the water supply and the delivery of that water to the various outlets.   We wanted to have both pressure and manual water supply options in case we lost power capabilities.  We also wanted to have both hot and cold water at the outlets, but only on the pressure supply.

Our new stainless steel water tanks - Port & Starboard Saddle tanks hold 50 gallons each and the Center tank holds 100 gallons

OK, we had installed brand new stainless steel tanks, which needed to be filled.  We would fill the main tanks via both deck fills and our 30 gph DIY Watermaker system.  However, the starboard deck fill needed to fill both the center tank and starboard saddle tank.  In order to accomplish this, I chose to use a Jabsco Y-Valve typically used for holding tank systems.

A Jabsco Y-Valve used for diverting fluid flow into one of two tanks

Yes, Harmony came with two of these beauties attached to the previously described, but removed holding tanks.  Yes, I am a frugal New Englander, BUT I did NOT even consider cleaning them bleach.  Well, at least not for too long!  Anyway, the Jabsco Y-Valve has been tested by Practical Sailor and has been found to not leak.  A brand new Y-Valve will let us switch easily between the two tanks.

The product flow from the watermaker will be plumbed into the water fill lines so that we'll be able to select which tanks to fill when making water.  We've also added a Wema tank level indicator for all tanks on-board, so we'll know what our water and fuel situation is at the press of a button.

A Wema Tank Level indicator gauge

The fresh water from the tanks will be controlled by a bronze manifold.  With this manifold, we will be able to select either one tank or all tanks to feed the system.  Therefore, if one tank becomes contaminated for any reason, we can still use the other tanks.  This manifold will also provide supply to the manual pumps located at each of 3 sinks.

Fresh Water Manifold mounted within the Galley sink island will let us easily reach the controlling valves to select a single or multiple tanks for supply

The water will be pulled from the tanks by a pressure pump that will cycle on and off depending upon whether the system requires pressure or not.  Just like a residential system, we have installed a pressure accumulator tank will should minimize the cycling of the pump.  The fresh water will be supplied to all outlets and be pushed through the hot water heater whenever hot water is required.

On the forward engine room bulkhead - Fresh Water Pressure Pump to the right and the Groco accumulator tank at the top center

We've used 1/2 inch water hose, which is the standard size.  We've chosen to use different color hose for the cold water and the hot water systems.  The cold water features a blue line, while the hot water features a red thread.  This should allow anyone to follow the plumbing and know what hose does what.  Moreover, it will allow ME to be able to connect the right hose to the right outlet!

As I mentioned at the outset, all of this hose had to be run under, through, and around the various structural components in the boat.  Additionally, the hose had to be neatly gathered and supported to not only organize it, but to ensure that the hoses did not intrude into the usable storage space or be subject to chafe. 

It would have been easy to just pull the hose throughout the boat and leave it where it was.  However, not only would that have been really messy, but the could have been unnecessarily chafed over time and what mess that would have created.  We want to have a neatly organized system of hoses and wires so that we can troubleshoot problems easily, and build a simple platform for ongoing maintenance.

Pulling the hose throughout the boat was not too much of a challenge, but the hose come coiled in a box.  The ever tightening coils can provide some wrestling antics, but some deliberate step by step effort minimizes the constriction.  However, securing the hoses neatly within spaces does requires a degree in Olympic yoga along with a younger set of muscles. 

However, the rough plumbing was installed and satisfactorily so.  The next step comes when the furniture is fabricated in the galley and the faucets are connected.  A ways still to go, but its getting close!

Fair Winds and Following Seas!