Rookie Mistake

saltydawg · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

I walked away while filling the water tanks. And I didn't come back.

*sigh*

I guess we get to look into that cool new flooring we've been talking about.

11 years living aboard and the last time this happened was the day we took possession of our very first live aboard boat. Total rookie mistake.

I posted some pics on our blog (link below). I am hanging my head in shame.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

ooops....why don't you have a deck fill instead of using the inspection port???

pontiakos · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

The pics didn't look too bad, obviously she needs to dry out...the new flooring will look GREAT

saltydawg · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

ooops....why don't you have a deck fill instead of using the inspection port???

We have a deck fill, but it really requires two people (or one who isn't getting interrupted constantly by a 5 year old) because we have no way of monitoring when the tank if full from up on deck except to run down and in and check the inspection port and then run back up to turn off the hose. So we started just filling from the inspection port to save on the back and forth.

The carpet was trashed (old and funky anyhow from years of having a dog aboard). I ripped it our before my husband got home and mopped everything up.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Saltydawg—

I can monitor my tank from the deck fill, since I can usually hear the vent spraying water when the tank is full... in any case, it would fill up and then come out the deck fill when you're full, and if the tank is vented overboard, it shouldn't matter if you fill it that much.

saltydawg · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Here's the deal with our overflow vent scenario.

On the starboard side we could use the deck fill rather than filling from inside, but our overflow is a tube under the bathroom sink, still vents inside but the bathroom has a floor level drain to sweep water in to. We could be T'd into an existing outlet, or it could be put into another dedicated through hull above the waterline fairly easily. The only time that the overfill would come into effect though is when you're filling up from above the water tank (at the deck) and then the water would basically squirt out the vent tube in the bathroom. We usually avoid all this mess by just WATCHING the darn thing. I goofed and walked away.

The port side though we had to sacrifice the deck fill water because of the larger refrigerator (there was no room to put in the refrig and keep the water lead). So we have to use inspection hatch for the port side. And if we're using the inspection hatch then it's impossible for an overflow valve as you are filling up the tank directly at tank level, it would never go up and out the tube. I guess it's possible I could put in a new water line from a different place on the deck to reach that port tank...but frankly the more lines there are with water leads the more opportunity for leaks and other things.

So that's our story...

Does it make a lick of sense?

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

Having two deck fills and properly installed vents would make far more sense... and be far less of a PITA to deal with IMHO.

Cruisingdad · #8 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009

We have all had our share of stupid mistakes. I could write a book on them. In fact, mine were dumb enough that Lats and Atts published them!!!!

You have a nice blog. It is nice to see other people raising their kids on boats. THere are not a lot of us. Anything I can do to make this site a better place for you and the family, let me know.

BTW, here's a pic of my family-

Brian

saltydawg · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009

Cruisingdad - those boys are about as cute as they come! Are you all on board full time? I wish we had more kiddos around here in the Chesapeake. Our little guy has tons of friends, but mostly land lubbers.

Thanks for the kind words about the blog! I wish there was a place on the web for boating kids. There's a somewhat inactive yahoo group and a completely dead kids aboard web site. We need to make a place...

Cruisingdad · #10 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltydawg

Cruisingdad - those boys are about as cute as they come! Are you all on board full time? I wish we had more kiddos around here in the Chesapeake. Our little guy has tons of friends, but mostly land lubbers.

Thanks for the kind words about the blog! I wish there was a place on the web for boating kids. There's a somewhat inactive yahoo group and a completely dead kids aboard web site. We need to make a place...

That idscussion has come up here to me several times. The issue, to be honest, is liability for this site and ANY site.

I have been urged by many parents to make a forum here for kids and/or families cruising. I can do the latter, but not a specific kids site because I cannot control the content of what is put on there and there are some sickos.

What I CAN do, if you and other parents are interested, is make a family forum. I would be very clear that we would moderate it as tightly as possible and not put up with ANY inaaporpriate content. Kids could post there, if their parents wanted. However, they would still need parental oversite and we would take NO respnsibility for the content. In other words, it would not be a kids site but kids could post there. A technicality, I know, but I have to look out after Sailnet and the legal aspects of a childrens site. Make sense?

If you and/or other parents have an interest, I will see what I can do.

Take care,

Brian

PS We lived aboard for quite some time but are currently in E Texas. Bought another boat and trying to outfit to go cruising. My parents did the same. We hope to be back out there with you soon.