marina water hookup

[sailnomore]

Just returned from our first cruise in our, new to us, 35 Albin Command Bridge. Attached our fresh water hose to the marina water hookup but nothing happened. We called the former owner but he had never used it. Is there a valve somewhere to turn, if so, where is it. Our Albin is wonderful.

[Veebyes2]

Never used the city water inlet in mine either. My eyes have been EVERYWHERE in the boat. Can't say I have seen a valve anywhere. There must be one. I also have a RV & there is a valve, conveniently located, to switch from city to internal tank.

[RobS]

No valve on my 2000 28TE. It's just tee'd into the cold water pipe running to the transom shower.

[zinbaad]

Wondering if there was a hookup for shore water, would some sort of pressure reducer be required? I would think it would not be a pretty situation if the tanks or hoses blew out due to an excessive shore water pressure,

[RobS]

Wondering if there was a hookup for shore water, would some sort of pressure reducer be required? I would think it would not be a pretty situation if the tanks or hoses blew out due to an excessive shore water pressure,

They certainly do reduce the pressure, some down to 40psi, others as low as 25psi.

Here's an example:

http://www.iboats.com/Jabsco-Water-Pres ... w_id.38784

[zinbaad]

I Knew I could count on you for the solution Rob...Now if the tank or hose blew out onboard would that attachment also prevent an accidental flooding??

[RobS]

No sir. That would be neat, if it could sense continuous flow for a preset time, like 5 minutes, and then shut off. I use the dockside water setup when I go to transient marinas but I do shut the water supply hose off when I leave the boat.

[Veebyes2]

Can't give you the link right now. The laptop with the bookmark is presently in the US & I am in Bermuda. Anyway, there is a company that supplys RV parts, I think it is in Oregon, which has regulators that go on the hose. A basic reducer is about $15? A variable, with guage, goes for about $45 I think.

It is not difficult to determine if you need to use a reducer or not. Turn the supply tap on. If it blasts out with force, put the reducer on. If not, don't bother. A permanently mounted reducer will take poor pressure & make it weaker.

I wonder why boats don't have gate valves for water & RVs do? RV water pressure systems are supposedly good for 80 PSI. Don't know if there is any such standard in the marine industry.

[RicM]

On my 28 TE when you hook up the city water there is no apparent difference in function. Just turn off the "fresh water" pump and get real, steady, smooth water pressure. No valves or adjustment necessary. Only a fool leaves a city water hookup pressurized anywhere in their boat any time they are not aboard, conscious and aware. There WILL always be a failure, the question is when. The city water will always win over the best bilge pumps. No company would be crazy enough to produce a product that would claim to prevent this event, they will always end up getting sued out of business. A simple shutoff dockside solves all the questions.

[sailnomore]

Thanks so much for all of your replies. We'll check this out on our next cruise.