LM 32 how to drain the fresh water tank?

[bojenjoe]

Hi my name is Josef - Joe, living in Bavaria / Germany. I am very glad that I found this LM Owners Club.

My user name "bojenjoe" = "bouy joe": because on one of my first sailing trips, I corded the bowline fix on the bouy for the night.

Next day we had strong wind and now you can imagine how fun and work we has to unbuoy. That's why my username is "bojenjoe" :-)

Since beginning of 2018 I am a proud owner of a LM32. I bought this boat in South England in Gosport, from a realy nice, older couple.

They was very friendly and helpful. My wife and I was very thankful that we had found such friendly and sincere  people to bought our

boat.

Now my question, for staying in winter, I want to drain the water tank.

Is there an drain cock at the water tank from a LM 32?

Or must I pump out the water with an external pump?

What is your method to drain the water tank?

Thank you very much for your answers and

very much luck for UK and all others in the soccer WM18

from Germany, Josef

[Brian & Glenda]

The outlet from the tank is accessible by lifting the pilothouse floor boards, or by removing the step down into the main salon. (This access has slide bolts that hold it in place. Lift the slide bolts then pull the bottom edge forward into the salon. The top of is panel will then free itself from the recess in the bulkhead.) You could install a T into the existing drain so the tank could be drained into the bilge?, a bucket?, a pump? or ???; but I simply open the sea cock drains on the galley and head sinks, and use the water pump to send the water through those drains. Works fine.

[Brian & Glenda]

I should have said above, that as believe that the bottom of the freshwater tank is below the waterline: DO NOT 'T' into the galley sink drain to drain the fresh water tank, as sea water could then flow back into your fresh-water tank when any drain control valve is opened. I suppose a one way flow control valve could be installed to solve that problem, but the freshwater tank would not drain lower than the sea level.

[bojenjoe]

Hi Brain & Glenda,

sorry for my late replay, but I don not think, that I get an answer in this short time.
So I looked only yesterday in LM - Owners.
Thank you very much for your practical advice, it is very helpful for me.

Kind regards from warm (30 degree Celsius) Bavaria.
Josef

[Brian & Glenda]

You are most welcome. I confirmed yesterday, that the entire freshwater tank is below the water line, so connecting a drain from the tank to the galley sink will definitely not work.
It is cooler today here on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - it only got up to about 24C today, but it was in the 30's earlier in the week! Enjoy your LM32! We certainly do enjoy ours!

[bojenjoe]

Hi Brain & Glenda,
thank you very much for your advice.
Yesterday I saw that you are from Canada.
I was very enthusiastic. It's exciting and beautiful to
have contact with other people, sailors and especially
LM sailor's in the world.
It is good, especially in these days and age, with war, intrusions, hardships and sorrows, to find even friends in the world.
I think sailors can't have hatred of foreigners, because they are at home all over the world.
We are all humans and each human property is necessary for our future, I think.
Josef

[Brian & Glenda]

Yes, the sailing community is a fine fellowship, and this certainly is a great forum for us LM owners. We all owe so many thanks to those who started and administer this site.

If the world were run by sailors, it just might be a much better place! (But I do recall that a few naval wars have taken place in our world history too! They must have been 'just following orders' eh!)

[chrismunson]

In the cabinet under the sink is a plywood hatch. Lift it out and you'll see a screwed-in plate, remove it and you will be looking into the tank. Drain the tank using the valve connection in the bilge, THEN get a wet- dry shop vacuum and suck the remaining water and dirt, debris, fiberglass out of the tank. Then mop it with alcohol on a rag tied to a stick. Let it dry, flush it with fresh water, and you are all set. I lowered a flashlight on a string into the tank which was a big help.