Bene 36cc Water Tank Osmosis - Repair Options?

[dje67]

My 1998 bene 36cc has two water tanks. One is under the side berth and the other is under the forward cabin bed. The forward tank is constructed out of the hull inner lining, with a flat 'lid' epoxied on top. I'm not sure exactly what the inner hull lining of a Bene is made of, but it looks like a glass-fibre material with a white gel-coat finish. Anyway, the problem I've encountered recently is that this forward tank has started tainting the water and inspection has found that the inner-hull has some osmosis blisters, some of which have pin-holes. I'm sure that this is causing the water to have a 'fibreglass taste'.

I reckon that the blistering is not a structural issue, so am not worried about the strength of the hull in any way. However, I do want to be able to use the forward water tank for longer trips (it holds a two to three hundred litres of water out of the 450 she carries).

So, I'm looking for repair options. I can't see an off-the-shelf bladder tank that fits the peculiar shape of the tank. A custom tank is several hundred pounds. I could try to seal-over the surface of the tank with something like 3M skotchkote potable water epoxy paint, or I could find some alternative lining method.

So, anyone sorted this issue on their own boat and what did you do?

 

[Heckler]

My 1998 bene 36cc has two water tanks. One is under the side berth and the other is under the forward cabin bed. The forward tank is constructed out of the hull inner lining, with a flat 'lid' epoxied on top. I'm not sure exactly what the inner hull lining of a Bene is made of, but it looks like a glass-fibre material with a white gel-coat finish. Anyway, the problem I've encountered recently is that this forward tank has started tainting the water and inspection has found that the inner-hull has some osmosis blisters, some of which have pin-holes. I'm sure that this is causing the water to have a 'fibreglass taste'.

I reckon that the blistering is not a structural issue, so am not worried about the strength of the hull in any way. However, I do want to be able to use the forward water tank for longer trips (it holds a two to three hundred litres of water out of the 450 she carries).

So, I'm looking for repair options. I can't see an off-the-shelf bladder tank that fits the peculiar shape of the tank. A custom tank is several hundred pounds. I could try to seal-over the surface of the tank with something like 3M skotchkote potable water epoxy paint, or I could find some alternative lining method.

So, anyone sorted this issue on their own boat and what did you do?

My first Bene, a 351, had the same issue. I ignored it, put in a charcoal and silver filter and carried on.
Stu

 

[coopec]

When I made up my water tanks I used a product which is probably similar to your 3M skotchkote potable water epoxy paint
https://www.bunnings.com.au/crommelin-1l-exterior-grade-brushable-waterproofer_p0961573

I wouldn't be drinking the water while it "tastes"

Aug 23, 2017 - People exposed to high levels of styrene at work are at a much greater risk of experiencing health effects than the general non-smoking population. Occupational exposure to styrene may affect the central nervous system.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC156662/

Clive