Flexible or stainless water tank

[Tintin]

Current situation, Beneteau 325 with a perfectly fine flexible water tank. I think it's Plastimo, and has an outer layer of hard wearing material and an inner. No issues with it as far as I can see.

I was chatting with a friend yesterday whose advice I often trust, and we were chattting about my mini-refit as I'll be taking the boat up to the north (Iceland, Svalbard, Norway) in the next 12 months.

I know it may not be perfect, the boat, but it's what I have and I know it well, and getting another isn't on the cards.

He wrote to me "you should really fit a stainless steel one".

Just after a few other opinions on this.

Thanks all.

 

[SiteSurfer]

Surely a plastic tank (if indeed you do need to fit one in the first place) would make much more sense than a steel one? Not only in price but in longevity and cleaning purposes.
I speak as a convert to plastic tanks after going through the pain of removing a steel fuel tank..

 

[C08]

Surely a plastic tank (if indeed you do need to fit one in the first place) would make much more sense than a steel one? Not only in price but in longevity and cleaning purposes.
I speak as a convert to plastic tanks after going through the pain of removing a steel fuel tank..

I had to cut out my two stainless tanks because they were leaking at the welds. I have Plastimo Flexible tanks and no issues after 16 years with them. If I were doing it again I would still go plastic, but rigid polypropylene are probably better.

 

[V1701]

If the Plastimo one ever bursts I'd go with a Vetus flexi next time, or hard plastic if it'll fit but why on earth you would replace it with a stainless steel one I can't really imagine. The Plastimo ones do have a bit of a bad rep but I think that a lot of that is due to them being so popular and people overfilling them. Why does your friend recommend a stainless one?

 

[salar]

I had real problems fitting a flexible tank, I couldn't get the neck to seal properly. In the end I threw it in the bin and had a custom tank made to fit. Very reasonably too. Here's the refit blog page that applies: Dinner is served! (Nearly)

 

[vyv_cox]

Stainless steel tanks built properly, using 316L sheet and the same filler, will not corrode. Welding SS that is not low carbon (L) creates chromium carbides, thus reducing the chromium content adjacent to the weld to low levels. That's why they corrode. Correctly welded SS vessels are widely used in the food and other industries, even for chloride-rich products.

 

[Euphonyx]

I got rid of my tank completely. I now keep all my water in 2 litre bottles. I also got rid of the gas and fitted an Origo stove. I have a stowable stove top oven for those rare occasions when I need an oven. Why fill up a small boat with stuff that can go wrong?

 

[NormanS]

I got rid of my tank completely. I now keep all my water in 2 litre bottles. I also got rid of the gas and fitted an Origo stove. I have a stowable stove top oven for those rare occasions when I need an oven. Why fill up a small boat with stuff that can go wrong?

Well yes, but do you go to Norway, Svalbard, and Iceland?

 

[Rappey]

I think your missing a trick as the frozen 2l bottles could be hung over the side and used as fenders ?.

 

[GTom]

I am switching to the triangular 120L plastimo tank to free up some space. I hear you have to secure them well and pad the surroundings to avoid chafe.

 

[MAURICE]

Wouldnt bother with flexable or stainless. id go for solid plastic had two built by Tek Tanks both excellent to within mm tolarance. Had a water metal tank which had been eaten away by steralising tablets. So had two flexible ones fitted which both split. Had the tek tanks done 7 years ago now no problem since.

 

[Euphonyx]

Well yes, but do you go to Norway, Svalbard, and Iceland?

Roger Taylor does! I havent been to those places except on a plane but i have been around Ireland and the Scottish Islands. I prefer a simple set up. Whatever suits you.. do it. I'm just pointing out options

 

[V1701]

Not that it matters for water tanks but aren't SS tanks more susceptible to condensation as well?

 

[Catalina36]

Tek Tanks already mentioned, do a great job.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Roger Taylor does! I havent been to those places except on a plane but i have been around Ireland and the Scottish Islands. I prefer a simple set up. Whatever suits you.. do it. I'm just pointing out options

I delivered a yacht to Barbados from the UK, where the owner collected it. Standard flexible water tanks up forward, an 80's Sun Fizz if I remember correctly. There was a crew of 6 in total, carried significant volumes in 5 litre plastic containers under the cabin sole which allowed a remarkable amount of water to be stored as well as easy consumption control.

 

[Joker]

I've had 3 plastimo tanks die on me on two different boats.

 

[GTom]

I've had 3 plastimo tanks die on me on two different boats.

Which models/year? Were they properly padded, fixed? I also read accounts where the owner used them for 6-7 years.

 

[sarabande]

I crewed a delivery yacht back to the UK many years ago.

It had Plastimo tanks in the bilges. Some oil leaked into the bilge, and was left there for a while over a summer.

The oil attacked the plastic cover and the bag itself, and caused both to split, and the contents became contaminated.

 

[James_Calvert]

We had some very good service from a pair of flexible tanks supplied with our Sadler 32, and we replaced them after over 25 years with ones from the same manufacturer, Griffon Hoverwork, at Southampton.

They were custom made and expensive. But suited our needs.

 

[Charlie Boy]

Had the same Plastimo flexible tank for about 9 years! Never had any cause to regret it. It has a thick foam base to stop condensation and it’s nowhere that oil will get it.