Water Tank Options

[TheSaintlyOne]

Having stripped out the old weakened wooden bow doors that some thieves had managed to get through  nicking a generator old fixie bike and dog food!!! And a bench covering the old 400ish litre plastic baffled water tank which protruded  800mm into the cabin and into the bow. 

 

The layout we have chosen is similar to below with a bed off to the side and side door leading out to the bow area  

 

Option one is to have a custom steel bow tank fabricated at a quoted approx cost of around £700 giving about 500litres

 

Option two is the cheaper option to use the existing baffled 400liter tank positioned under the side bed  which even if we replaced for fresh new tank would cost £170 

 

Obviously the main concern would be balancing the boat any ideas suggestions or don't do its are welcome 

[Tony Brooks]

How much for a custom made plastic tank? It will be in the dark so should not suffer much degradation.

[Tracy D'arth]

I have never had much success with bag tanks. They seem to crack where they crease when empty and are very vulnerable to puncture or wearing through on the smallest protuberances.  You would also need a bulkhead to retain one.

 

I have had stainless tanks made for less than you quote, a mild steel tank would be heavier but properly painted inside would last quite well.

Welded plastic tanks are less common but do the job, some say that they taint the water, I don't know.

You could have a bulkhead and deck floor welded in and have an integral tank, again properly painted will last the boat out. The advantage with an integral bow tank is that you get the maximum capacity without any side to side ballasting problem.

Another  advantage would be that you would then have a self draining  front deck.

[TheSaintlyOne]

6 hours ago, Tracy D'arth said:

I have never had much success with bag tanks. They seem to crack where they crease when empty and are very vulnerable to puncture or wearing through on the smallest protuberances.  You would also need a bulkhead to retain one.

 

I have had stainless tanks made for less than you quote, a mild steel tank would be heavier but properly painted inside would last quite well.

Welded plastic tanks are less common but do the job, some say that they taint the water, I don't know.

You could have a bulkhead and deck floor welded in and have an integral tank, again properly painted will last the boat out. The advantage with an integral bow tank is that you get the maximum capacity without any side to side ballasting problem.

Another  advantage would be that you would then have a self draining  front deck.

Any options as to tank builders you'd reccomend ????

[Tracy D'arth]

I've stopped recommending firms, unless I am still dealing with them, been let down too many times.

A local sheet metal workers who can work in stainless should be able to produce a simple tank. Working out the size and shape is not simple.

[sueb]

We had a rigid plastic tank which was fine for the 25 years we had the boat. No tainting. I wouldn't have an integral tank at any price, trying to paint one is a nightmare. Try Cak tanks,

[Movin' on]

Having done as much stripping out as you have (well done!) I would go for integral well treated and with a good access plate (or even a hatch) no balance/ballasting issues

Edited May 6, 2020 by Halsey

[Jess--]

Personally I would go for a stainless tank, they are about as maintenance free as you can ever get and it should last longer than the boat.