My icebox is not draining, so I have to pump out ice melt water when cruising (Seafrost Refrigeration unit being repaired). Tried to snake the drain tube with a 4 foot wire without luck. Where does the drain empty (bilge?) and how long is the drain tube? I’m going back at it with a longer wire.
My drain line is 3 ft tops, yes drains in to bilge.
Terry and Clarise
30U #404
Phoenix - Toronto
On my Nonsuch 26, the original design has the icebox drain teeing into a valve under the galley sink that controls whether icebox drainage or fresh water flows through a foot pump at the base. Whichever’s selected, both come out the same small spigot to the side of the faucet.
I found it a bit gross. I think of icebox melt as grey water, and don’t like the idea of grey and fresh water sharing hoses and spigot. Also, not a fan of using the galley sink to get grey water to a through-hull. But, from an odor control standpoint, it may still be a bit better than having it drain to the bilge. I changed it in the course of various upgrades, and other boats may’ve done the same.
But, if you’re not aware of changes and you have a foot pump and spigot in the galley sink, you might want to trace the hoses back from there and see if there’s a multi-way valve with a hose connected to the icebox drain.
– Bob
Solar Winds
Nonsuch 26C #143
This subject has been discussed a few times over the past. I had my battles with the three way valve thing with my Nonsuch 22 and again with my presently owned Nonsuch 30. Regarding the problem of draining or pumping the ice box water in the NS30, I finally disconnected all valve connecting hoses and cleared them with a small air compressor. It worked, but happened months later and I did the same thing and found the culprit to be a small piece of clear plastic. Suspect that it came off a vegetable bag or equivalent. I simply do not like that three way valve. I do not like the foot pump. So, I now drain ice box water into the bilge. I made a little stopper valve for the drain when I want to keep ice water in the ice box. Back when, I also received a polite lecture from some smarter than me Nonsuch forum participator about draining contaminated (foods) ice box water into the bilge which may cause stinky stuff in that area. I thought that was a valid point but still did not like that three way valve and associated stuff.
So, here’s what I do now: All foods entering the icebox must be containerized. If it is one grape it must be put into a container (actually, I would eat it) such as Tupperware or equivalent. Watermelon gets peeled, cut up and containerized. All foods are sealed. This method solves a lot of issues and makes it much easier to clean the ice box as needed. The ice box stays quite clean, no more foot pump to mess with, less tubing to get clogged and no questionable water in the bilge. Best of all, it keeps my blood pressure lower than what it used to be.
In about an hour I am going to Whiskers ll for a day’s sail and I am putting the beer and my containerized lunch in the nice clean ice box. Actually, in this case I put lunch and drink in my YETI and drop the whole bag into the ice box. The food in the YETI is also containerized.
Cheers.
Butch
Butch Garren
Nonsuch 30, #196
Whiskers II,
Solomons, MD
I got rid of the three way and my pump is just connected to the reefer drain and discharges into the sink. Since it has a strainer plumbed before the pump, I’ve not had a problem in 17 years.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
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