Flexible Water Tanks

[piscosour]

I am considering fitting a triangular flexible vetus water tank under the forwar vee berth to supplement the ships water supply without resorting to jerry cans all over the saloon. Does anyone have experience of the quality of these tanks since I will not have a watermaker and, therefore can't afford a leak. I will, of course, have a couple of jerry cans for liferaft needs. Do I just whack it in or do I have to line the inside of the locker with rubber or some such material?

Replies, as ever, appreciated.

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[Richard_Woods]

The quick answer is Don't

Here is what I posted on the PBO forum a couple of days ago regarding engine controls

"I haven't fitted Vetus engine controls, but I have also had bad experiences with Vetus. I have had 3 of their water tanks. The first failed under warranty and was replaced by one that leaked from new. I was promised a refund but apparently their computer couldn't cope with giving money back so they still owe me the money.

Later in the Canaries I fitted a second tank prior to my Atlantic crossing. Unfortunately the only tanks the chandler had were Vetus ones. The one I got also leaked from new but I was able to fix it.

The upshot is that I wouldn't buy anything from Vetus again. A pity as they do make some good stuff, they just don't have any quality control and don't support customers."

I have not had any problems with Plastimo flexible tanks (and they are cheaper!)

I am always careful to wrap the tank in bubble plastic and put it on a rubber pad. I have the tank mounted in the middle of the boat where movement is least. It helps that I sail a catamaran so don't heel or roll



<hr width=100% size=1>Richard Woods of Woods Designs for quality sailing catamaran designs
www.sailingcatamarans.com

 

[Talbot]

Why not have a solid tank made to fit the space. use mdf (cause it is cheap) to create the tank and then walk it along to mr Tek Tanks. The one they made for me was an exact match for my mdf bodge, and scraped in exactly the same places. It will probably have more capacity than the vetus rubber tank for the same size gap, and you wont have to worry about chafe/leaks.

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[pragmatist]

Or last boat - Sadler 29 - had a plastic tank fitted as standard - under-berth in the forecabin. Admittedly it didn't cross oceans but it's a v bouncy boat so it must have got a severe hammering at times. Never experienced a problem with it and the boat was 12 when we sold her. Don't know what the make was but perhaps someone with a Sadler can tell you.

<hr width=100% size=1>a pragmatist is an optimist with a boat in the UK - but serious about not being in the UK !

 

[Swampyhotdog]

I've used plastimo flexible tanks, and haven't had any problems.
www.boatbitz.co.uk stock them.

Stu

<hr width=100% size=1>As with most posts here - my personal opinion - take it or leave it.
Stu

 

[hillswick]

Vetus Quality/ Customer Service.

We also bad experience with Vetus. We purchased a Vetus Electric Toilet and included payment for their agent (French Marine) to ship from the UK to Sardinia, the toilet was faulty & leaked when fitted. Exchange offered only if we pay for the re-shipment. The toilet is currently repaired with silicone. I wish we had bought Plastimo as their after sales has been first class. We would be interested to know if others have had similar problems.

 

[Skents]

Re: Vetus Quality/ Customer Service.

Not Vetus but while we are getting it off our chests. Bought a Mercury outboard (15hp) at Barrus stand at last year's Southampton Boat Show. One of our questions was about the nature of international servicing, naturally they said "Brilliant". Started using it on cruise to Algarve and it would never stay tilted up. Contact sales people at RIBs Marine and were given phone numbers which didn't work and the advice to shove a stick under it to keep it up. Just what you want to hear when you've shelled out for brand new stuff.