Add Shore Water Connection

[RussL]

I recently purchased a 2000 396 Carver. We love the boat but it doesn't have a shore water connection, and I would like to add one. The manual show it as an option that would appear right next to the shore power. Has anyone ever done this?

If I pull the recessed power box will the water lines be present, or is that wishful thinking? Things are pretty tight below and I am not sure I could fish a pipe back there....

[bud37]

Do you have the transom shower or the fresh water wash down ? The reason I ask , if so there will be piping back there.

[RussL]

No, there is nothing back there but I would really like to have both. I’m fine doing the pluming part I have a lot of experience with it but the limited space and ability to access is a challenge.

[Midnightsun]

It is really a rather simple task especially with the newer quick fittings. Hardest part is figuring out if you have 1/2" or 15mm which I suspect 15mm.

I would start by removing the electrical inlet to investigate what is behind and where you can make your hole. Simply snake down a length of pex and attempt to grab onto the end which should not be that difficult. The connection is simply Tee'd into any cold water line you can find back there. Snip and insert is all there is to it. A good pair of pex cutters makes everything very easy.

Here is a photo I took this weekend when I replaced the original poor functioning inlet.

[RussL]

Thanks Hans, and thanks for calling out the 15mm. I would have never even thought of that. I was just hoping someone could tell me if there was actually a water line back there if there no show water came from the factory. Guess good old exploratory surgery is in order. I will buy some parts and go dig in!

[RussL]

I wanted to share what I found with the community. If you have an early 2000s Carver 396, the water that feeds the rear head come from the kitchen and raps around the back of the boat. You can access the water lines by removing the recessed electrical box at the bottom of the swim step ladder. They are 15mm lines so you will need to get an adaptor in order to connect shore water or a wash down. Interesting side fact is that my boat does not have the second 50 amp power connection but the wire is present and runs back to the breaker box.

[RussL]

One other question: I have been looking to figure out what the maximum shore water pressure should be reduced to. I would like to leave it has high as I can, but obviously I don't want to over charge it. Does anyone know what it is specified to be able to support? I am guessing 50 PSI, but I don't want to guess....

[km1125]

50 is a good guess.... 40-60 is pretty normal. I would not want to go above 70, but the system should be good for up to 90psi.

[Midnightsun]

Most pumps sold for use on board vary between 40 to 60psi so I would have no trouble with anything in that range. Lines are probably rated at 100psi all around.

Found this.

The SeaTech PEX tubing is produced from a high performance, cross-linked polyethylene material. SeaTech PEX tubing is formulated and manufactured in 3/8" CTS (1/2" OD), 1/2" CTS (5/8" OD), 3/4" CTS (7/8" OD), and 1" CTS (9/8" OD) sizes. SeaTech PEX Tubing is NSF listed, FDA recognized and available in multiple colors for ease of water line identification.

Specifications:
Operating Pressure: Vacuum to 160 psi
Max Temperature: 180º F @ 100 psi
Max Temperature: 72º F @ 160 psi
Coil Length: 250'*
Also known as: Watts 81902611

[Viper]

You should be able to run okay at 60 psi unless you have a Frankensteined mishmash of pieced together hose types and fittings assembled incorrectly, or aging hardware. Anything higher than that and I'd be checking specs of some items that run off the fresh water system such as ice makers, washer/dryers, windshield washers, dishwashers, filters, etc.