Solent sailer
Well-Known Member
has anyone had any experence of flexible water tanks and where to get them, our tanks are leeking and the new custom made one are out of our price range.
Flexable water tanks
- Thread starter Solent sailer
- Start date
Kilter
Well-Known Member
Um...interesting poll Paul; did you mean it to come out like that?
Got a flexible water tank and don't like it, water goes off in it far too quickly, fwiw.
Got a flexible water tank and don't like it, water goes off in it far too quickly, fwiw.
samwise
Well-Known Member
Flexible tanks are ok provided that you guard against chafe. Cheapo ones can cause the water to taste funny, so stick a replaceable filter in the line. On my last boat I used to drain the "bag" and take it out of the boat at the end of the season, then give it a good flush through with one of those cleaning agents before reinstalling. Most of the on line chandleries offer them in standard shapes and sizes, custom will be more expensive.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Look at Plastimo...
I've used a Plastimo flexible water tank on a previous boat. The Plastimo tank is quite well-engineered, with a PVC inner tank contained in a tough nylon fabric outer cover. The outer is a bit smaller than the inner tank, so when the tank's full the pressure is taken by the nylon outer rather than by the PVC inner. The nylon outer also resists abrasion and has strong points for fixing it to the boat. As I recall, you can also buy the PVC inner separately in the event of a leak.
I've used a Plastimo flexible water tank on a previous boat. The Plastimo tank is quite well-engineered, with a PVC inner tank contained in a tough nylon fabric outer cover. The outer is a bit smaller than the inner tank, so when the tank's full the pressure is taken by the nylon outer rather than by the PVC inner. The nylon outer also resists abrasion and has strong points for fixing it to the boat. As I recall, you can also buy the PVC inner separately in the event of a leak.
Gordonmc
Well-Known Member
Re: Look at Plastimo...
Yup.
I have one that sits under a berth. Its a replacement for one that burst a seam and filled the bilges.
I wouldn't let that put anyone off, they work well. The inner bladder can be taken out for flushing through.
I tend not to use the contents for drinking as the boat is on a mooing for most of the year and top-up opportunities are few. Bottled water does for tea and slugging.
Yup.
I have one that sits under a berth. Its a replacement for one that burst a seam and filled the bilges.
I wouldn't let that put anyone off, they work well. The inner bladder can be taken out for flushing through.
I tend not to use the contents for drinking as the boat is on a mooing for most of the year and top-up opportunities are few. Bottled water does for tea and slugging.
VicS
Well-Known Member
The first one I had was a single skin one made by one of the well known lifejacket makers. They dont make them now. It was Ok for a season or two but rapidly became porus and the water tasted foul. The replacemnt is a double skinned one and is still fine after 25 years or so. That was custom made by Air Cushion Equipment but I don't know what has happened to them.
Heigaro
Well-Known Member
After much thought, I plumped for "water tanks" in the poll.
I don't think I can go along with "water tanks".
Still, there's not much to chose.
I don't think I can go along with "water tanks".
Still, there's not much to chose.
Clyde_Wanderer
Well-Known Member
I have a vetus flexable tank under the forward berth, I am giong to be dumping it shortly, as the inner skin is breaking up and some of it came out when I flushed it out at the start of season, it seems to be leaking very slightly too.
Will maybe try one of the Plastimo ones.
Would only advice using them for washing up etc, not drinking from.
Will maybe try one of the Plastimo ones.
Would only advice using them for washing up etc, not drinking from.
Sinbad2222
Well-Known Member
Flexibles are fine. Add a little bleach when filling now and again to keep them sweet.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
They are OK if fully supported up the sides. If you have a relatively small tank lying on a relatively large floor the tank contents will roll from one side to the other, creasing the tank material as it does so. In a short time this crease will begin to leak.
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I voted for the bottom water tanks after viewing the poll and finding out the vote numbers ... should be equal now !! Have s/s tanks on board. Flush through, etc at beginning of season and leave empty over the winter. So far no problems after nearly 30 years ....
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
Re: Flexible water tanks
On the contrary my 20 year old plastimo (bladder) tanks are still going strong.
The heads tank was out of commission for a good few years, left with a few gallons in the bottom. Took tank out and cleaned it with a big dose of puriclean on the pontoon, which erm, looked a bit like an oil fire aftermath before I cleared up with foam everywhere.
Both tanks are good enough to drink from. Maybe being on a mooring means I cycle them more, I don't know, but have never had serious issues with the tanks and wonder why so many have?
On the contrary my 20 year old plastimo (bladder) tanks are still going strong.
The heads tank was out of commission for a good few years, left with a few gallons in the bottom. Took tank out and cleaned it with a big dose of puriclean on the pontoon, which erm, looked a bit like an oil fire aftermath before I cleared up with foam everywhere.
Both tanks are good enough to drink from. Maybe being on a mooring means I cycle them more, I don't know, but have never had serious issues with the tanks and wonder why so many have?
VicS
Well-Known Member
Re: Flexible water tanks
[ QUOTE ]
Flexibles are fine. Add a little bleach when filling now and again to keep them sweet
[/ QUOTE ] Personally I prefer to use Milton on the basis that it does not contain any nasty chemicals that it would be preferable not to consume. The correct dose rate for treating drinking water is 2.5ml per 5 litres then allow to stand for 30mins before use.
However IIRC it has been said on here that some manufacturers (Plastimo?) advise against using hypochlorite based materials in flexible tanks.
[ QUOTE ]
Flexibles are fine. Add a little bleach when filling now and again to keep them sweet
[/ QUOTE ] Personally I prefer to use Milton on the basis that it does not contain any nasty chemicals that it would be preferable not to consume. The correct dose rate for treating drinking water is 2.5ml per 5 litres then allow to stand for 30mins before use.
However IIRC it has been said on here that some manufacturers (Plastimo?) advise against using hypochlorite based materials in flexible tanks.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Re: Flexible water tanks
[ QUOTE ]
They are OK if fully supported up the sides
[/ QUOTE ] There are two types of flexible tank. There are shaped ones which should be supported and vented so that they do not collapse and there are pillow tanks which are, well, pillow shaped. They are not vented and are intended to collapse as they are emptied. Their capacity is much smaller though.
[ QUOTE ]
They are OK if fully supported up the sides
[/ QUOTE ] There are two types of flexible tank. There are shaped ones which should be supported and vented so that they do not collapse and there are pillow tanks which are, well, pillow shaped. They are not vented and are intended to collapse as they are emptied. Their capacity is much smaller though.
roly_voya
Well-Known Member
Re: Flexible water tanks
Another possible option - I have plywood tanks and after 30+ years they are still perfect (wearas the steel fuel tanks had rotted!) relitively cheap and easy to make by 'stitch and glue' tec' and well lined with epoxy will outlast most things at a similar price to flexible ones
Another possible option - I have plywood tanks and after 30+ years they are still perfect (wearas the steel fuel tanks had rotted!) relitively cheap and easy to make by 'stitch and glue' tec' and well lined with epoxy will outlast most things at a similar price to flexible ones
Pye_End
Well-Known Member
Re: Flexible water tanks
I have head several flexible over the past 12 years, and have had mould growth in all of them. I think that the inlet pipe is badly designed and tends to hold some water in it, which may then flush into the tank.
Regularly use Puriclean on the whole system but have not really found it that effective.
May change the tank for a fixed one as I know several people who have had the same problem. All Plastimo tanks.
You also need to consider that flexible plastic almost invariably means using PCB's.
Whils I am a fan of breast I do not want them my own.
I have head several flexible over the past 12 years, and have had mould growth in all of them. I think that the inlet pipe is badly designed and tends to hold some water in it, which may then flush into the tank.
Regularly use Puriclean on the whole system but have not really found it that effective.
May change the tank for a fixed one as I know several people who have had the same problem. All Plastimo tanks.
You also need to consider that flexible plastic almost invariably means using PCB's.
Whils I am a fan of breast I do not want them my own.
pappaecho
Well-Known Member
My Evasion 32 had a flexible from new in the keel space. It failed last year on a seam, after 28 years. Have replaced with a Plastimo, and lined the keel space with old foam carpet to make sure than there were no rough edges. Usually give it a clean with Milton ( baby department) once a year, by putting in tank Feb and leaving till March, draining and refilling with fresh - works for me
Solent sailer
Well-Known Member
sorry about the votes, i wondered what those tick boxes were for!
i am a little conserned about the tast from flexable tanks as we have always drunk the water from ours (fibreglass fixed and now leaking) with no problems.
i am a little conserned about the tast from flexable tanks as we have always drunk the water from ours (fibreglass fixed and now leaking) with no problems.
