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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Water bottle as an ice bellwether?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2009 : 10:34:53

We're experiencing a cold snap here in the PNW and I'm a bit concerned about the water resevoir in my porti-potty. I've been gauging my concern by checking the amount of ice in the water bottle I keep in my car. No ice=no concern. This morning, I had little bergs floating in the bottle, maybe less than 1/5 total volume. So, little ice=slight concern. I can remember the bottle freezing over completely earlier in the winter, but the reservoir was empty then, so I wasn't concerned.

I know that the reservoir isn't full all the way, I deliberately dumped some water out before reinstalling it in the head after it's last cleaning (who knew two tiny little girls could hold that much inside them?). I also know it's generally warmer on the coast than where we are, plus the head is in near contact to constantly flowing water from the river, plus we have a cabin heater running to keep condensation at bay. I'm reasonably certain the cabin temperature stays above freezing except in extraordinary circumstances.

Because of all this I'm not too concerned, and don't feel I need to make a trip to the boat to empty the reservoir. Can anyone shoot holes in my theories?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 10:46:42

Nah!

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 11:08:03

Unless you have the electric model cold weather does the bellows in if used in cold weather. I've replaced two bellows for our little girls. The plastic tank shouldn't be a problem and the pump seems to loose it's prime without use so I wouldn't worry. I do have a back up unit now at home especially for the second holding tank when cruising with the girls. Always be ready for the surprise and have the right TP.

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 13:25:24

David, is your boat on a trailer in Duvall or is it in the water? I had boats in the sound for years and we never had a problem because the sound never gets below 40 to 45 degrees which keeps the interior of the boat about the same.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 14:31:25

It's in it's marina on the Duwamish River. If it were in the backyard I'd just go empty the reservoir & not think about it any more. I'm just debating the 90 minute or so round trip for probably unfounded concerns. I no longer think I need to worry about it, at least as long as the weather stays where it is, currently in the 20's or so at night, at least for a few more days, then, of course, it's going to rain over the weekend.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2009 : 22:19:50

I would think that by now your tank is already broken or it isn't going to break. Either way, there is no real reason to go check it.

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2009 : 13:10:24

The Duwamish river is warm enough to keep anything in the boat from freezing.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2009 : 19:00:31

So, we went down to the boat today. Opened up the door to the head, and found standing water puddled on the deck. Checked the seals around the deadlight as this was my first suspect, nope, no water, not even wet. While Rita sopped up the water (maybe a quart?) with a sponge, I took look at the porti-potty. No obvious leaks, but there was some water on it, which could have simply come in through the open hatch (it was lightly raining outside). We closed the hatch, dried off the porti-potty, set it on it's edge on the deck & watched. Nothing. Hmmm...set it on it's bottom like it would be on top of the waste tank...nothing...then..water oozing around the seal for the flush plunger. Dried it off again, and a few minutes later, same thing. So, it looks like a broken/burst seal on the plunger mechanism, and time for a new thread.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.