I'm in the middle of re-plumbing all the potable water system, including replacing the sink. I was all set to just replace the sea water spigot at the galley sink, which is operated with a foot pump. When my wife wisely asked: why are we plumbing that spigot in? We have never used it in our 10 years of owning/cruising on Zia.
30+ years ago I used to use seawater to rinse our dishes, but our rationale for not plumbing it in the new system:
Do other folks have it? Do you use it?
Have you ever thought about how a problem with that 3/8" tubing could sink the ship? My apologies if I'm giving you something new to worry about . Also it's entirely possible that I'm wrong, so somebody please tell me if I am.
Thanks!
-Mark
30+ years ago I used to use seawater to rinse our dishes, but our rationale for not plumbing it in the new system:
- The system is fed by that cheap 3/8" grey butylene tubing, coming from the head water intake. The most disturbing part is that if some part of that little butylene line leaks or becomes disconnected, it is below the water line and could sink the boat. I've never heard of that happening with M38s so it doesn't seem super likely. But it's a little troubling nonetheless. Some previous owner patched the grey butylene by sticking it into a clear poly hose, and hose clamping it. If that had pulled out, it could seriously sink the ship. See photo below. That yellow handle is the thru hull discharge valve for the galley sink, so it's for sure below the waterline. It's gone now.
- Since the intake is from the head intake, under the boat it is only a few inches from the head discharge, which seems a little troubling as well: Rinsing dishes with water that could include some sewage. Granted: the head discharge is only supposed to be open when at least 3 miles offshore (in the US), but still. In some countries we go to, there is not the 3 mile limit.
- We are usually trying to get rid of the sticky salt residual from sea water, so we prefer a fresh water rinse.
- Many years ago I was more confident that the sea water was relatively pollution free. Nowadays, less so.
- We will soon have a water maker, so we should have plenty of fresh water going forward.
Do other folks have it? Do you use it?
Have you ever thought about how a problem with that 3/8" tubing could sink the ship? My apologies if I'm giving you something new to worry about . Also it's entirely possible that I'm wrong, so somebody please tell me if I am.
Thanks!
-Mark
Last edited: