Flexible Water Tanks

R

rooks

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We want to increase our fresh water storage capacity, by installing a larger tank, but have seen flexible water tanks that are available. They look to be a lot easier to install. Has anyone fitted one . What are the pro's and con's. How do they fill as clearly once empty putting water down a filler would not inflate them.
 
Its possible to divide flexible tanks into two sorts.

Pillow tanks that are, well, pillow shaped. the have an inlet and an outlet but no vent. They go flat as they are emptied, and "inflate" again as they are filled. Because of the way they work the outlet and inlet are usually both on the top.

Shaped tanks are three dimensional and are designed with a vent to operate in the same way as a rigid tank and not collapse as they empty. Larger ones are probably best supported so that they do not bulge excessively at the sides or collapse as they empty. they can be plumbed in in the same way as a rigid tank.


The shaped tanks can have a much larger capacity than pillow tanks of the same footprint. The pillow tanks are useful in awkwardly shaped spaces.

I dont know why you should think there is any problem filling them. There's not.

I have a small triangular pillow tank in the bow. No problems at all apart from the fact that it is so small.
 
I had Duratank make me two new fuel tanks when the metal ones failed. They are the pillow type. They were easy to fit. Well if you dont count the hours of dismantling the the boat to get to them. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mine empty out from the bottom and fill from the same pipe the old tanks were connected to. They have vents for filling and they sink with the liquid level, which means they are particularly good for fuel as there is no space for condensation or much air for the diesel bug. Not a problem for water of course.

They are held by eyelets along the edge, through which you can tie them to eyelets you screw into your boat. Luckily I had wood all around where they were going. I even used fuel level meters by resting the traditional floats, normally fitted inside tanks, on top of them.

They are tough. The outer skin is made from the same material as hovercraft skirt. I would say they would be good for water.

Good luck

D
 
I've got a pillow tank - no problem at all filling it although it does seem to have some air in it that neeeds squeezing out occasionally - I think we let it get too low so now when filling it I always check that any air goes up the pipe as the water comes in by pushing the tank top down and making it make odd belching noises
 
Yes we use a pair of them on the Sadler 32.

We did have filling problems, until the wife suggested sticking a vent tube down the filler when filling. This helps a lot.

But have never been impressed with the water quality, we always use 5 litre bottles to drink from.

Just make sure you tie them down well, and and contact with the boat is well cushioned with foam, to stop the bag rubbing and chaffing.
 
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