Preparation prior to fitting flexible water tanks

[Becky]

My boat ran out of water very quickly, and on investigating the plumbing, the air vent on the rigid water tank was 10 cm at least from the top, and the outlet to the pump was 10 cm above the botom, so it never fully filled due to trapped air,( you could see on the 'water line' around the sides when I removed the tank top) and never fully emptied. I have now bought a flexible tank. So what do you forumites suggest I should do to prepare the surface of the locker to make it acceptable for direct contact with the tank: or should I line the locker with something? And if so what?
Second point. I will be fitting a shower in the heads, and decided to increase the water capacity by utilising spare space on board. I have a huge empty space beneath the cockpit floor, where I could fit a 20 galllon (200lb) water tank, (equivalent to one large man (-not sure I wouldn't prefer the large man)). Or I could invade the other saloon berth and squash the tank there opposite the original one but loosing storage space. I am also concerned about upsetting the trim. However the cockpit tank would be a little higher than the main one, and would therefore empty first, so at the rate I use water, the problem would only be transient. Any suggestions?

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[charles_reed]

I had a similar problem with my water tank and have found the way round the problem is to fill the tank with the inspection hatch cover out, thus allowing escape of the trapped air.

Just make sure there are no sharp edges on which the tanks can chafe, and it's best, if you can, to hang them rather than having them placed on something.
Because thay make up a closed system they can be above your main tank providing:
a) The feed pipe from the flexible tanks taps is below the vent and
b) the filler cap is above the top of the flexible tank, when it's full.

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[longjohnsilver]

One large man replies

But not sure I want to reside beneath the cockpit floor!

You'll want to avoid any sharp surfaces and potential ares where it can rub, I put mine on a layer of carpet, semed to be the easiest solution, especially as we all seem to have a few offcuts which will only be chucked out eventually.

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[stephenh]

Becky - a couple of points :-

1. If the flex. tank touches any fibre glass make sure that it is absolutely smooth - use fingers, not eyes. I had a single fibre of resined glass pierce a black water flex. tank - It took a long time to find and cost thousands to put right and de-smell the (very expensive) boat.
Not for nothing was it referred to as a "stinkie" !!

2. Put some insulation between the tank and the hull. If in close contact you can get condensation between the two and, oddly enough, this has been the cause of osmosis on the inside of the hull.

good luck Stephen

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[ccscott49]

I would make sure the surface was as smooth as possible, then glue in soime closed cell high density foam sheeting, to cover the whole area of where the tank would lie. Closed cell, so it woll not absorb any moisture. Check periodically that no abrasion is taking placew, by moving the empty tank and checking it. The large man I can supply also!

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

You aint gonna like this, mine are in the bows of my cat, boxed in with plywood to stop anything getting thrown against them for example.

The lining, for the last 15 years, old thick pile carpet!

Is still going strong.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/movies.html>Dolphin Movie From Top Cat</A>

 

[Gunfleet]

Surely she'd be better off carrying water and finding men of all sizes in ports she visits. Fresh water at sea is in short supply. Big men on land are available everywhere .

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[ccscott49]

Good point, she could even get the big men to carry the water for her! She is actually just what I need right now.............................................Just broke a big lump off one of my teeth! Now what did you think!!! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[ccscott49]

Nothing wrong with a bit of carpet, as long as it stays dry!!

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[Gunfleet]

I predict you are going to be £100 to £500 worse off in a day or two. Hard luck mate

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[ccscott49]

God knows what it`s going to cost in Sardinia!!

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[Becky]

Thank you all for your replies. I have a large man already on an occasional basis, but I find that I end up doing all the awkward bits, the bilges filled with diesel this summer from a leaking fuel tank and I fitted into the odd places better than he did. But I am always open to offers. Seriously though, I had considered carpet as a protection, after painting the locker surface with bilge paint. But first I have to get rid of the diesel smell and following information on this forum, I will use Daz; tried bilgex but it wasn't very good. At least I now have a new stainless fuel tank. Sailing is expensive, isn't it?

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[Gunfleet]

Next!

I just hope you give you fingers a jolly good scrub after they've been in the bilge.

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