spring cleaning
Moderator: Jim Walsh
spring cleaning
Has anyone out there ever used vodka to sanitize their water system. Seems logical to me and better than other chemicals. Why not?
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- Posts: 116
- Joined: May 10th, '12, 07:02
- Location: CD 22 "Real Quiet Echo" Ellsworth, ME
Re: spring cleaning
Yes, I have. I've used it to winterize the potable water system for many years. It's much better than trying to rinse out the "non-toxic" antifreeze. Leaves no odor. Stuff doesn't grow in it. Comes in a convenient plastic container with a handle!
Re: spring cleaning
Everclear (grain alcohol) would be even better if its available/legal in your state.
Russell
s/v (yet to be named) Tayana 42CC
s/v Lady Pauline Cape Dory 36 #117 (for sale)
s/v (yet to be named) Tayana 42CC
s/v Lady Pauline Cape Dory 36 #117 (for sale)
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- Posts: 98
- Joined: Mar 16th, '07, 08:45
- Location: Typhoon weekender Echo, Stonington, CT
Re: spring cleaning
We used vodka for the water system on our CD27 for 14 years. Worked a charm. We were always tempted to invite the yard employees to....uh...test it, but never actually did.
Sally Perreten
Sally Perreten
- tjr818
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: Oct 13th, '07, 13:42
- Location: Previously owned 1980 CD 27 Slainte, Hull #185. NO.1257949
Re: spring cleaning
This all sound very interesting. I know Guinness wouldn't work, but how about some Jameson?
Seriously, what proportions are you talking about?![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Seriously, what proportions are you talking about?
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
Tim
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
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- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
Re: spring cleaning
Guinness? Hmmm. Good Thinking. I think that I'll get hold of Robert and see if it cleans him out. ![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
O J
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
O J
"If I rest, I rust"
Voting Member #490
Voting Member #490
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- Posts: 98
- Joined: Mar 16th, '07, 08:45
- Location: Typhoon weekender Echo, Stonington, CT
Re: spring cleaning
Our proportions? Straight up, no ice. We confess to using the cheapest vodka. An entire bottle. Empty the water tank, clean it as best we can (wishing for a foot pump in the galley), pour in vodka, rock boat (easier with a 27 than a larger one), pump through the lines until a little comes out at the galley pump, write notice to yard crew that the water system is winterized, so they won't put their stuff in there, go ashore - recognizing winter is coming, wait for spring, wait for launch date, pump out vodka, fill tank with water and if it's this year: wait for it to stop raining, please.
Now we have TY weekender and life is simple and easy. She doesn't drink.
Sally Perreten
Now we have TY weekender and life is simple and easy. She doesn't drink.
Sally Perreten
- Sea Hunt Video
- Posts: 2561
- Joined: May 4th, '11, 19:03
- Location: Former caretaker S/V Bali Ha'i 1982 CD 25D; Hull 69 and S/V Tadpole Typhoon Week
Re: spring cleaning
Tim:tjr818 wrote:I know Guinness wouldn't work, but how about some Jameson?![]()
Seriously, what proportions are you talking about?
Most respectfully, have you tried Guinness in your fresh water tank
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
P.S. Electric bilge pump not working. Today will be spent trying to figure that out. As is well documented "electrics" and me to do not play well together.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Fair winds,
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
________________________________
"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
Roberto
a/k/a Sea Hunt "The Tadpole Sailor"
CDSOA #1097
________________________________
"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778, as quoted in Naval History and Heritage Command, http://www.history.navy.mil
- Carter Brey
- Posts: 709
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- Location: 1982 Sabre 28 Mk II #532 "Delphine"
City Island, New York - Contact:
Re: spring cleaning
The replies here seem to have more to do with winterizing; the poster's question was about sanitizing. Here is what the Headmistress, Peggy Hall, has to say on the subject:
http://trudelutt.com/linker/phall_freshwater.pdf
I use this system every Spring.
Cheers,
Carter
http://trudelutt.com/linker/phall_freshwater.pdf
I use this system every Spring.
Cheers,
Carter
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- Joined: Mar 16th, '07, 08:45
- Location: Typhoon weekender Echo, Stonington, CT
Re: spring cleaning
Very excellent advice there!
Sally
Sally
- tartansailor
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: Aug 30th, '05, 13:55
- Location: CD25, Renaissance, Milton, DE
Re: spring cleaning
The way pharmaceutical companies sterilize their kettles and piping is first
chlorine bleach, then neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, followed by a distilled water rinse.
Dick
chlorine bleach, then neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, followed by a distilled water rinse.
Dick
Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam
Re: spring cleaning
Spring turned into summer and I ignored the job till today. I added 24 oz. of bleach to my 20 gallon tank of water. (rough metric conversion) I'll run it all out the sink tomorrow then cycle through a few tankfulls of plain water to get rid of the chlorine. The vodka I bought for the job in May is a distant blurry memory. Unlike our neighbors across the pond I prefer Guiness chilled.
- Steve Laume
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- Contact:
Re: spring cleaning
Glad to hear you used the vodka and nothing could have survived your bleach assault.
Get that boat in the water, Steve.
Get that boat in the water, Steve.
Re: spring cleaning
The vodka used me. The boats in and I've sailed plenty. I've just been carrying water on as needed...
...when the vodka ran out.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
...when the vodka ran out.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: spring cleaning
This may be a really dumb question but how do you flush the freshwater out of your tank when you have manual pumps? Is disconnecting the hose just before the pump the best way?
I am clear on the process to sanitize but just don't understand how I can get the bleach solution out of my tank with out taking forever using only the foot pumps. I feel like I am missing something
. Thanks.
I am clear on the process to sanitize but just don't understand how I can get the bleach solution out of my tank with out taking forever using only the foot pumps. I feel like I am missing something
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)