any Contessa 26 owners there?

[forrestmichael]

I'd obviously post in the contessa forums but they seem a bit infrequently visited, my contessa 26 has an anti-syphon valve fitted in the most inappropriate place (in the foot well of the settee berth), i wondered if it would be safe lower down just below the companionway step? I think this is just about at waterline level?

Just wondered where any other owners valves were located because i'm at a loss as to where to put it?

Thanks

Mike, PS thanks for the gas locker answers even though the thread seemed to go a little wildly off tangent...

 

[VicS]

Vetus recommend a minimum of 12" above the water line. If it has an overboard vent (as opposed to being the type with a valve) they recommend that should then rise to 16" above the water line.

See page 153 of their On line catalogue

If the link wont work try navigating from the home page http://www.vetus.nl/en/

rotten website IMHO

Having eventually got to page 153 I see they now say 40cm in both cases.

 

[forrestmichael]

Thanks VicS, now where do I put it.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Maybe some neat boxing out is the only answer.

 

[Tranona]

Hi Micheal. I assume you are talking about the anti syphon valve in the water feed from the outlet on the engine to the water injection on the exhaust. The minimum height above the water line for this is 40 cm see p 153 of the Vetus catalogue. This is often difficult to achieve in a low freeboard boat like yours which is probably why it is where it is! In normal use it should not leak, and if you are worried about that you can swap it for the type that has a bleed overboard - but the 40cm is the same. This is an essential bit of kit to prevent water syphoning back into the engine. You won't have to be on this forum for long to hear about the havoc this can cause - particularly on a 1GM

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
where do I put it

[/ QUOTE ] Long time since I sailed Co26 and i cant picture it well enough now to make any suggestions.

The one I did sail had a vile Vire engine and nearly sank on its mooring due to a water leak on that!

 

[forrestmichael]

luckily mine has a shiny new Yanmar 1GM! About the only decent thing the previous owner did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[VicS]

If you have one with a valve be sure to check that it does actaully open. They can become choked up and fail to open. From that perspective you need it somewhere accessible. It also a reason why the overboard vented type may be better as you can see a discharge all the time a bit like the pee hole on an outboard

 

[Chrissie]

Sorry but thats the only place high enough, mines in the same place, my engines a Beta 14. Never leaked yet though.
I didnt have one on the last engine and that engine block filled with water in December, hence new Beta now.
Good luck with your Contessa, they are the little boat with the big heart

 

[mortehoe]

Easy location

Mine's in the lazarette next to the grease pump (top Port side). Connect a rubber radiator hose from the cylinder head outlet and run it under the length of the cockpit to the lazarette and then up to the anti-siphon tube which is held in place with a piece of string ~100 mm below the deck. (and about 450mm above the waterline) The anti-siphon tube has a small pipe on top (internal dia ~3mm) which his attached to a plastic pipe that leads through the lazarette cover upstand to discharge onto the deck and allow air entry when the engine is stopped. (Warm water trickles out at 3000+ rpm). The return pipe (again rubber radiator hose) is led back along and tied to the flow pipe and is clipped onto the exhaust knuckle. The total length of rubber pipe you will need is about 14-16 feet.

My anti-siphon tube is made of copper pipe the same diameter as the cylinder head outlet and the exhaust knuckle inlet. Use the appropriate size s/s jubilee clips and plenty of cable ties to make it all neat and tidy. The anti-siphon the came with the boat and I've no idea of its make.

It's straightforward to install and works very well.

 

[forrestmichael]

Re: Easy location

Thanks everyone, Morthoe your set-up sounds good, it doesn't sound like too much work for a tube free footwell!

Thanks

Mike

 

[Bilgediver]

can t you get one under the sink and take the overboard ut through the side via the aft starbord locker shelf just below deck level...I don t like the idea of all that pipe work to the counter!!!!

 

[cindersailor]

An important point is that the anti-siphon bend should be above the waterline at all angles of heel. If you are motor-sailing and turn the engine off and the angle of heel puts it below the waterline there is still a risk of siphhoning back. Hence the need for it to be as high as possible.