Leaking Water Tank in Westerly Merlin

[Potted Heid]

Stainless steel water tank under aft port cabin bunk leaking water straight in to bilge. It’s not the taps or the hose connectors as I’ve checked. Think it will need to come out and be replaced.

As you can see from the pics there is an inspection hatch with around 25 bolts on top, an inlet pipe, two exit hoses to the galley sink and the heads sink. There looks to be three screw holding it in place via small fixing plates. I can’t see any more down the sides as it is very snug in there.

Does anyone have any experience of taking one out and replacing it. If so, with what? A flexible tank? Or has anyone re-welded the joins or pinholes and put one back in.

Any advice most welcome.

 

[Tranona]

It is possible to weld a stainless tank once you get it out - at least failed welds which are the most common. I had this done on a previous boat. Pinholes are less common and more difficult as it might need a panel replacing. Get it out (don't have any direct experience of your boat, but will probably be hard work (contact westerly Owners Association?) then get it pressure tested to identify leaks. If it does need a new one then stainless is OK but plastic is probably better. A standard size moulded tank is cheapest but you may lose capacity because of space restrictions. A custom made tank from Tek Tanks is the ultimate and probably comparable price to stainless.

 

[steveeasy]

Tec tanks have a vast range of westerly tank designs. They also do a very cost effective range of all shapes and sizes. I’ve just fitted a new tank in my boat for less than a £100. Fifteen times cheaper than a original tank.

Steveeasy

 

[Cspirit]

Same issue with my Westerly Corsair. Rust at the welds. I hauled the tank out and made a plywood copy which I dismantled and sent to Tek Tanks as a pattern for a new plastic tank. Worked well.

 

[Concerto]

The tank should be able to be unbolted and lifted out. It looks simpler than on my Westerly Fulmar. I suspect that a section of a weld has corroded, that is what happened with mine. A local marine engineeering company pressure tested the tank to find the leak, rewelded a small section and pressure tested it. Only cost £30 a few years ago.

You would be wise to ask to see if someone has done this job recently on the Westerly Owners Association (WOA) forum, it is free to participate. If you are not a WOA member then I would suggest the £17.50 annual membership is worth every penny, This is the web site.

2922 WOA members worldwide

 

[Hoolie]

Not on a Westerly, but we had one of our stainless tanks done last year - probably larger than yours. It leaked in several places along the bottom seam (192cm) and was successfully welded up and pressure tested. The cost was <200€

 

[Potted Heid]

Thanks for all your replies, that all sounds like good advice. I’ll try to remove the tank when the boat is out of the water in Autumn. I’ll then see if it is weldable or get a new one made from Tec Tank. I think I’ll also check out a flexible tank if one will fit in that space. Cheers.

 

[B27]

Stainless plate is very expensive!
You might well get good money for the old tank even if you decide not to repair it.
Amateur TIG welders will fight over such things.

Also if you do go for a repair, consider shortening the tank by say 10mm, rather than patching old welds.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If you go for a flexible tank line the locker with something like thick polythene sheet so that the tank does not chafe and wear on the fibreglass.