Help needed - Water Tanks

[oliverkinchin]

Hello,

I took Troskala out over the weekend for a last sail down to Calais and back. On the way back through the Princess Channel we hit a force 9 (44 Knots to be exact). Well, you can imagine my shock to see water rising over the cabin sole but after a quick taste it was confirmed as fresh water. Anyway I fitted two 100 Ltr flexible water tanks under the forepeak berth and these managed to both split during a stormy experience. My regret is ever fitting elxible water tanks and they just do not stand up to the job. So as Troskala is based in St Katharines and we are temporaily living on board before we set off for two years sailing early next year I have a slight problem being that I now have no water. I called Tek Tanks as they were recommended and they very kindly put me in touch with another company based in Southampton. The guy came over yesterday to prepare the model for the new tanks of which we will need two that will be custom made. The expected cost is likely to be £3K Can I have anyones thoughts is this sounds correct. The guy we are using says it will take 2 and a half days of which half a day has already been used. It would be great to have your feedback on my choice and of the costs involved. I do want a professional job but was not expecting such huge costs.

Your feedback is much appreicated. The boat is a Rival 32.

 

[Tranona]

Sounds like you are replacing with "better" flexible tanks, which are very expensive. They are out of fashion now mainly because of cost. I have just had a quote from Tek Tanks for a 120L bow tank at £700, although in the end I had the existing SS one repaired.

I have had tanks made by Tek Tanks in the past and they are very satisfactory. Only downside compared with flexible tank is that you have to ensure thy are securely mounted, and of course that you have access to install them.

As atemporary measure you might be interested in a Plastimo flexible bow tank (110L) that I bought in case I could not repair the existing tank. Now surplus to requirements so would sell at a significant discount from new - still in its box. PM me if interested.

 

[westhinder]

Two remarks:
- you have been very unlucky with you flexible tanks. We had a flexible tank on our Rival 34 under the saloon floor which is 22 years old and never had a problem. They must be well fixed to minimise sliding around and abrasion.
- the forepeak does not seem the best place to put so much weight. Your boat will tend to hobbyhorse and lose speed when punching against the waves. Is it not possible to fit (a) tank(s) closer to the keel?

 

[Martin_J]

I have not dealt with them before but I am surprised that Tek Tanks did not offer to make a custom tank.

They have a list of custom tanks for other sailing boats (including a Rival 32 waste water tank) which might give you another indication of the cost of their custom built tanks.
http://www.tek-group.co.uk/acatalog/Sailing_Yachts.html

 

[oliverkinchin]

Thank you both for your response. I will pass on the flexible tanks but thank you for your offer Tranona. Westhinder, I completely agree with what you are saying about the location, but as we are doing the ARC next year I needed some serious amounts of water on board. When we first brought Troskala we had a 75 Ltr flexible tank sitting on the keel, an ideal place but as I need around 250 litres the best space I had was under the bunks in the forepeak, when on the ARC I will balance the weight with separate containers and try are raise the bow.

Tranona, we are having both tanks professionally fitted so they will be fixed and secured well to stop any movement. Part of me wishes I had a bigger boat for this trip but I have to make do with the space. I agree that Tek Tanks seem to be the best choice but the cost is scary.

 

[oliverkinchin]

Martin J, thank you for your advise. A lot of Rivals were kitted out differently and ours is one of them so the tanks they already had custom made would not fit our vessel so the guy who came over yesterday made model out of wood for the tanks. They will be custom made on Monday. By the way I have to say the Tek Tanks have been amazing in their service so far.

I will be more than happy to share photos of the finished product once completed if anyone is interested.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Have you tried these people? Stansa fabrications in Suffolk or CAK tanks who have a large range of water tanks mainly for motorhomes but they may be some suitable.
http://www.stansa.co.uk/ http://www.caktanks.co.uk/

I've not used either but they may help.

 

[macd]

Two remarks:
- you have been very unlucky with you flexible tanks. We had a flexible tank on our Rival 34 under the saloon floor which is 22 years old and never had a problem. They must be well fixed to minimise sliding around and abrasion.

Ditto, with a 34year-old flexi tank in a Rival 32. The OP's experience, whilst unfortunate, is surely an argument against cheap, flimsy flexible tanks (think 'Plastimo'), rather than flexi tanks per se.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

We had one 75 ltr polypropylene tank made by a local plastic fabrication company for £200 two years ago.
Provided them with a drawing and type of skin fittings required.
It's 9mm wall thickness ,very strong put up with Atlantic crossing .
It's the holding tank so I d hate that to burst .
I really feel that Tek tanks are over priced.
Cindy

 

[oliverkinchin]

Thank you all for your feedback. We are now using First - Marine based in Southampton to fit the tanks; I believe the tanks are being made by Tek-Tanks as I write this. I think we just have to swallow the cost on this one but as mentioned I will post some photos when then job is completed next week. I am looking forward to getting a water guage as this is something we did not have previously. That is our Christmas present sorted this year

Have a good Christmas and Happy New Year.

Oliver