Water tank, pump, and heater size

[Captain Chill]

Hello all,

Just gutted the engine room of my F26 and can start from scratch installing anything I want.

I want to be able to take a 10 minute continuous hot shower after the restoration. Is this possible? What size tank, pump and heater do I need if so?

Notes;
-I don't care if I have to fill the water tank back up after every shower.
-I don't want to turn the water off, lather up, then turn the water back on. I want it to be just like a home shower with a continuous good pressure spray.
-I do not need a heat exchanger for the engine to heat the water. Showers will be only for marina shore power use.
-I don't care if the water tank and heater sizes weigh my boat down and lower my performance/speed.

Thanks in advance!

[larryeddington]

I put a new WestMarine 11 gal in my f36 and should get a reasonable shower, but I definitely would use the engine as heat source for water as well as electricity. IMO. I have but have not used it as yet. On my dock I have a 6 gal heater and when you add in cold water mix and it trying to heat up I get a shower without running out of water, however I am not sure 20 minute is possible, and I am spoiled because at home I have a large gas demand water heater and I can stay in the for an hour or more if I wanted.

[prowlersfish]

12 gal heater works well for us . Setting the water heater to very hot helps extend the time .Make sure you get a ignition safe heater

[Barrie]

Looking for the same info Captain Chill
I'm sizing up a 12-15 gallon heater myself for the same "at home" shower.

[Captain Chill]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like you guys say the 12 gal will be sufficient... and after measuring it's a great fit for my ER size.

Looks like I'm going to go with the Raritan 12 gal w/o the heat exchanger for $899.99. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/raritan-- ... 31_005_501

Now, onto water pumps. What gpm do I need to get that "at home" water pressure? Do I need a dedicated pump only to the shower to get that kind of pressure? Or will the one pump for the boat (2 sinks, freshwater toilet, and shower) be ok?

[larryeddington]

For you are trying to do bigger is better, IMO, you cannot have one too big.

[Paul]

I have a dedicated pump for all of my fresh water applications and a second pump dedicated to the head/toilet. The second pump draws raw water from the lake, this way I'm not using up all of fresh water for flushing.

[P-Dogg]

you cannot have one too big

^^^^^^^ This

[Captain Chill]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess the question is does the gpm affect the pressure of the water?

Example: Will I have a shower with stronger water pressure with a 5gpm pump as apposed to a 3gpm?

[Captain Chill]

The second pump draws raw water from the lake, this way I'm not using up all of fresh water for flushing.

Nice setup. I'll be at the Marina most of my time so I'm going with a fresh water flush. I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?

[prowlersfish]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess the question is does the gpm affect the pressure of the water?

Example: Will I have a shower with stronger water pressure with a 5gpm pump as apposed to a 3gpm?

As long as you not flowing near the max capacity of the pump there won't be a noticeable difference in pressure . Assuming both are rated at the same PSI . My boat is fine with a 3.5 gph pump . I have 3 sinks , shower and fresh water head . no issues with 2 being used at the same time

[Paul]

I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?

In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.

[prowlersfish]

I'm looking for something where I can plug my hose into my fill tank and leave the hose faucet on but the devise somehow stops water from going in when the water tank is full. So the hose continually fills the water tank when the tank is being emptied. I don't know the name of this devise. Any idea?

In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.

X2 on what Paul said

[Captain Chill]

In this case, I would consider adding a potable water fitting to the boat with a tank bypass valve so that it feeds your water system directly without over pressurizing your tank.

Something like this? My hose would connect to the hose end. Then my water filter would connect to the other end. Which would then feed my freshwater tank. When the tank is full I turn the handle to stop the flow of water going into my filter. Sound correct?

[prowlersfish]

What Paul And myself are referng to is hooking the dock water hose directly into the boats water line not the tank . The water pump will keep it from back feeding to the tank . You will need a regulator to do so like these

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/jabsco--i ... or--282228
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shurflo-- ... --13812870