Wanted - Fresh tasting water

[davel]

I'm getting fed up with the water on board tasting of everything but water and smelling of chlorine. My main water source is from the tap on the pontoon at my marina (Hamble) and that tastes pretty grim. By the time it's been through my water tank it's horrible.

I'm planning on looking at in-line filtration systems at the LBS. Does the panel have any recommendations or advice?

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave L.

 

[tcm]

I am not sure you can filter swimming pools with an inline filter and havem tasting all lovely can you?

Is it a new boat? Or newish? Afte 2-3 years they start tasting normal. If you have an inspection hatch you can cleanit, otherwise constant flushing, additives and so on and eventually it tastes fine. Or ours did anyway.

Meanwhile you can buy a whole stash of bottled water for the price of inline filters, and that will definitely definitely work, whereas showers and washingup, who cares?

I'm a bit wary of filters cos once you start you have to replace the elements a lot and if you don't then wooh poisoning etc etc threats from the manufacturers.

Another thing is to run the water from the pontoon quite lot before filling, to get rid of all the hosepipey tasting water in the morning.

hope this helps

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[Mirelle]

Bottled?

Rather than filter your tank water, most of which goes for washing up and cooking, you can just use bottled water for drinking. Most boats on the Deben do this, as our local tap water is fairly vile tasting, and unspeakable after a few weeks in a tank!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you really want a filter that seems to work rather than bottled water take a look here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.generalecologyeurope.com/>http://www.generalecologyeurope.com/</A>

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Re: Bottled?

Another answer is to only filter the water you are going to drink. We use a Brita water filter jug at home why not try one on the boat.
I think I would worry if the water didn't smell of chlorine as it would then probably infect you with some nasty bug.
As previously posted the cheap easy way out is bottled water for drinking only.
Infact I add more chlorine to my tank water and have a separate tap connected to a fresh 4 X 2 gallon supply for drinking only.
Another point if the tank is not secure anybody could add to it from outside without you knowing.

Trevor




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[Chris_Robb]

Try this link to an old thread - I follow this advice every year. Having had filters for a number of years, I am coming round to the basis of using bottled water - most of the filter is wated on washing up!!!!!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=pbo&Number=402975&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=HeadMistress&Match=Username&Searchpage=2&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=402153>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=pbo&Number=402975&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=HeadMistress&Match=Username&Searchpage=2&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=402153</A>

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[Talbot]

I have used the Jabsco filter for several years and am very happy with it. It converts water you would not want to drink into a substance suitable for the subtle dilution of Scotlands finest

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[ccscott49]

this is the type I use, with seperate tap, works extremely well, very nice water, especially for the cask strength malt, i call it my highland spring tap! Only filters what you drink/cook with.

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[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Once you've tasted tea or coffee freshly brewed from bottled water I don't think that you'd consider tap water again. Also for drinking (instead of cold beer?!?)
As for using it with Malt, as some people have suggested, I was always taught never to WASTE water on board a boat......
Fair Winds!

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[ccscott49]

Wally, you obviously know very little about cask strength malts, whicch require a splash of water to bring out their flavour, also being 54% and above alcohol, they are a little harsh without it. you go and buy a bottle, i'll demonstrate the drinking of it for you.

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[PuffTheMagicDragon]

It's a deal, the first time you visit ;>)

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[ccscott49]

i'm in sardinia now, so get saving! Is diesel duty free for boats in malta?

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[ParaHandy]

... much to personal taste and perception, i'm thinking. i did bring a bottle of old pultney 59.9% to a recent gathering of sailors in tobermory and i am delighted to report that not a drop of water was added ...... and, as i recall, the entire contents were drunk that night

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[davel]

Many thanks to all for the info and advice.

Comments and feedback as follows:
- Boat is 5 years old with a polythene tank. I think the main source of nasty taste is the water out of the tap but not helped by tank storage.
- I'm not too worried about being poisoned cos of tank nasties, it's the taste I'm concerned about.
- If I go ahead with filter I'll put in a "drinking water tap" so the washing up/showering can be carried out in rank, smelly and nasty water to keep my running costs down /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.
- Britas filter idea is a good one - at least to confirm that filtration will resolve the taste problem. I have one at home so I'll take it down to the boat for testing. Wouldn't want to use it full time though as it's just one more thing to get flung onto the floor in a gust.
- Bottled water is OK - it's what I used last year - but its a slog carrying it to the boat, I always run out and it's no cheaper that a filter system if I have a separate drinking water tap.
- "Nature Pure" system looks OK although seems a high cost. I've found a Screwfix equivalent that also seems to fit the bill and has a lower price. Will look around at the BS to check for quality, fit etc etc.

Thanks again


<hr width=100% size=1>Dave L.

 

[timevans2000]

Like TALBOT, I use the Jabsco filter. It is a cartridge type that is changed in about 2 seconds. It doesnt need a screw driver to undo clips, etc. I use one filter per season. It filters a huge amount of water cos it is located just after the pressure pump. Even the washing up water tastes nice (before you put the pots in!).

The water quality is excellent. We do not carry bottled water as we have no need.

Annual cost of a filter is £18

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[ccscott49]

i must agree with you, but i do add just a splash i feel/knnow it brings out the flavours, however a gathering of sailors in tobermory probably already well oiled, is not your usual sipping whisky type event!

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[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Since last budget the diesel for my car costs €0,66 per litre. For Cyano I don't consume more than 100 litres in a year and therefore I never bothered to enquire about duty-free. I expect that it would be available and perhaps worthwhile for larger quantities.
For example, delivery of duty free's prior to an offshore passage requires the presence of a customs official, and for this privilege one has to pay €42. Difficult to justify on my boat but we do get around it by pooling.
If you wish, I can try to find out for you.
Fair Winds! (I don't know how they say it on the Costa Esmeralda....I probably would not be allowed to go anywhere near that place anyway!)

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally

 

[ccscott49]

not in the coasta bunch smeralda, if i could afford to go there, i wouldn't be asking about duty free fuel! But yes, please can you find out what the form is for say approx 2200 litres? thanks
colin

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[charles_reed]

Treat it with silver halide solution - don't know if it's available in UK but you can get it any chandlers in France.

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[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Will do. Might take a couple of days though.

<hr width=100% size=1>Wally