Water Tanks on s/v Honey Ryder

Lower Y tool opens the outer port, mini I beam opens the inner port

We finally found the additional tool (it looks like a mini I beam) necessary to open the inspection ports on our water tanks.  The tank gauges have not worked since we purchased s/v Honey Ryder.  Tankage is one of the reasons we chose a Caliber.  We like BIG tankage.  Caliber tanks are build in as part of the hull and thus sit centerline.  However because of this, they are not perfectly rectangular.  They conform to the hull.  

Post we sawed off, under side of inspection port, broken gauges

Tank #1 - We found the tank gauge arm broken off and laying in the bottom of the tank.  There was some calcium build up on the post leading up to the gauge as well as the arm.  We have lived without gauges this far so we decided to saw off the post just on the underside of the gauge (no way to fix it), drain the tank, clean it and refill it.  Of course the access panel to all of this is under our pullman berth in the master stateroom.  Getting the broken off arm from the bottom corner of the tank proved to be a bit of a challenge. Tom was finally able to retrieve it using long kitchen tongs. 

 

Tank 1 under the Pullman berth - hosing it out

Tank #2 - Access to this inspection port was much easier with it in the floor of the main salon.  This tank had a similar situation as #1 in that the gauge arm was broken off as well.  However we couldn't find it at all.  We suspect it had been previously removed.  Additionally we discovered that the pickup hose had come free from it's cable tie mounting.  Even though it was resting on the bottom of the tank, the curve of the hose, means that it can't get the last 1" or so in the bottom of the tank.  It's something we can live with as it's only an inch.  We sawed off the post again like we did on tank #1 and did the same process as above - drain, clean, refill.  Voila!  Fresh, cleaned tanks. 

Tank 2, trying to get out the last inch of water

While we were draining tank #2,  I busted out my handy telescoping mirror - like the one a dentist would use to see your back teeth.  Why?  What were you thinking?  With this tool, we were able to see into the reflection and trace the pickup hose back into the far corner of the tank where it goes out of the tank toward the water distribution area (in the cockpit lazarette) and see the hose clamp on it.  Right next to that was the water intake as well as the vent.  Nice to be able to eyeball those.  Additionally, we discovered that our emergency (oh sh*t there is water pouring in the boat) whale pump doesn't work.  Gulp!  Good thing to find out here in the slip using it for general maintenance vs out there in a true emergency.  Repair kit is ordered for it.