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We've added 31 gallons of water storage under the port settee, to bolster the standard 17gal tank waaaay far up in the forepeak. We intend to cruise our Albin Ballad in places where fresh water can be hard to come by. The tanks will connect to a Whale foot pump under the galley sink, stbd side. The V berth tank was originally plumbed down stbd, but it doesn't have to be. We'll also be carrying a couple jerry cans, usually full, in a lazarette.
The Ballad has a v.fine entry, so carrying 140# of water in the bow tank isn't ideal. The forward tank is quite a bit higher than the midships water tank. The big tank midships will be getting its own deck fill, possibly its own vent.
Should we:
1) Plumb the tanks independently, joining them at a T fitting (with shutoff valves?) just before the foot pump. That way, the water supplies are isolated from each other & we have control over which tank we use in what order.
2) Plumb the upper tank so it cascades right into the lower tank, ensuring we always & automatically take weight out of the bows first. Also, then the forepeak tank can have the sole air vent, which would spill into the anchor locker (low chance for damage.)
We'd like to able to fill both tanks at once, from a hose or possibly rain catchment on the side deck. Tho I guess that could be done with a mixing valve at the foot pump. No plans for pressure fresh water, dockside. Opinions?
The Ballad has a v.fine entry, so carrying 140# of water in the bow tank isn't ideal. The forward tank is quite a bit higher than the midships water tank. The big tank midships will be getting its own deck fill, possibly its own vent.
Should we:
1) Plumb the tanks independently, joining them at a T fitting (with shutoff valves?) just before the foot pump. That way, the water supplies are isolated from each other & we have control over which tank we use in what order.
2) Plumb the upper tank so it cascades right into the lower tank, ensuring we always & automatically take weight out of the bows first. Also, then the forepeak tank can have the sole air vent, which would spill into the anchor locker (low chance for damage.)
We'd like to able to fill both tanks at once, from a hose or possibly rain catchment on the side deck. Tho I guess that could be done with a mixing valve at the foot pump. No plans for pressure fresh water, dockside. Opinions?