Tek-Tanks

[TiggerToo]

How may times have you read that customers mostly post negative experiences, but stay silent about good ones as it is assumed it is the job of the suppliers to to supply...?

I would like to buck the trend with this thread.

I have just completed the purchase of a custom-made holding tank (toilet waste) for Tigger plus all the bits and bobs associated with the installation. The company involved is

TEK TANKS (Plastic Tank & Bespoke Product Manufacturer | Tek-Tanks Ltd | The manufacture and supply of plastic tanks and custom plastic fabricated products.)

They have been amazingly good. It has been a rather long-winded process and they have been supportive throughout. Every single person I had to deal with was helpful, punctual, courteous and dealt with the issues at hand in the most efficient manner.

I know that they have a good reputation (that is why I decided to go with them), but I am just wanting to confirm that they fully deserve this. Long may it last!

Now: up to me to complete the installation - I expect some trepidation when I start making holes... wish me luck.

 

[tillergirl]

I agree. I had this done 10 years ago. The complex shape merited a ply mock-up. Absolutely precise (I hadn't finished the jubilee clips and the retaining strop before the photo). Worked fine, no smell.

P1010245 by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

 

[TiggerToo]

I agree. I had this done 10 years ago. The complex shape merited a ply mock-up. Absolutely precise (I hadn't finished the jubilee clips and the retaining strop before the photo). Worked fine, no smell.


I look forward to reaching that stage!!! ;-)

 

[Paul1962]

Plus another recommendaton from me for Tek Tanks - I have used them commercially for a number of years - excellent company

 

[veshengro]

I was obviously unlucky with the seam welding on my custom Tek Tank. 30 gallons of diesel in the bilge. Properly supported and secured in a custom made frame. Installed by a professional Boat Builder.
Because the tank was custom made and fitted, I had to saw it in half to get it out of the boat..

You win some and you lose some.



Not damage..corner seam failed.

 

[vyv_cox]

My holding tank was built by Tek tanks about 15 years ago. My design, tested with cardboard, then drawn accurately. Has been excellent ever since

 

[alahol2]

I'll add a thumbs up for TekTanks. Excellent service and assistance at all stages.

 

[Dockhead]

AND, another.

My boat was originally built with Tek Tanks 24 years ago. They are gorgeous! The nicest boat tanks I've ever seen.

At this age many boats start to need new tanks. Not mine. I think they will last longer than I will.

 

[Gixer]

My holding tank was built by Tek tanks about 15 years ago. My design, tested with cardboard, then drawn accurately. Has been excellent ever since

Same here but 4 years ago, I even had a call from the guy putting my tank together to double check something and offer advice.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Another supporter of Tek Tanks. Great service and advice and a great product. A 170l water tank that perfectly fits my bilge. That said, I am very proud of my measurements and their accuracy. Not to mention relieved. Also relieved that I could actually get it down into the bilge. Tight manouevring though.

 

[mrming]

Another happy customer. They made me a rotomoulded plastic fuel tank for my Fulmar, from my drawing. Service was excellent and it arrived ahead of schedule.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I was obviously unlucky with the seam welding on my custom Tek Tank. 30 gallons of diesel in the bilge. Properly supported and secured in a custom made frame. Installed by a professional Boat Builder.
Because the tank was custom made and fitted, I had to saw it in half to get it out of the boat..

You win some and you lose some.



Not damage..corner seam failed.

Did you complain, and, if you did, what was the response?

 

[veshengro]

2009, I was on passage from Sussex to Falmouth and onward to the Med. Having rounded Portland in breezy but fine weather I thought I might make the anchorage at Cawsand as my next rest stop, I was singlehanded. About three quarters of the way across Lyme Bay I smelled diesel, I hadn't used the engine since leaving the anchorage at Studland.
On checking below I found the area under the fuel tank wet with diesel although I could see no leaks from any pipe connections on the tank. I returned to the cockpit briefly as there were other vessels in sight and then went below again only to see fuel running from the bottom of the fuel tank from behind the leg of the steel frame in which the tank was supported. Unable to stop the now serious flow I decided that I needed to make for a safe Harbour.
Sometime later I arrived at Brixham and managed to get alongside a big central pontoon near the Marina. I think it is called the Events Pontoon or something similar. I walked to the Marina who responded brilliantly once I had described my predicament. As stated I couldn't actually see the leak but eventually realised it was hidden by the tank cradle.
First job was to recover or remove all the fuel in the bilge. The Marina kindly rustled up some empty oil drums and other containers and I spent ages with a hand pump clearing the bilge, they also gave me some stuff they used for oil spills which helped a lot to clean up my boat.
It took a coup[l of hours to later saw the tank in half to remove it from it's position (see photo)

I phoned Tek Tank and explained the situation. I would describe their response as 'neutral' and to be fair they wanted to see the tank and if possible examine it's location in the boat. I explained this was not possible as I was outward bound and unless I got on a train with the remains of the tank, they would have to make do with photos. And so we reached a stalemate...Without transport I wasn't going to travel between Brixham and Hampshire and they wanted to see the tank.

I bought the biggest Plastimo tank that I could find in Brixham and by good fortune, although smaller than the Tek Tank, I managed to secure it in a position where I could connect it to the fuel line.

Decision time. Postpone/ cancel the voyage and settle the matter of the ruptured tank or having rejigged a reliable fuel supply cut my losses and sail for Falmouth, and with the prospect of a fine spell of weather in the coming week, sail for Portugal. I decided on the latter.

The tank, which was a basic cube shape, was supported in an angle iron frame with a 12 mm ply base on which the tank sat. There was no movement at all between frame and tank. The side seam split in the internal angle of a frame upright, which is why I couldn't see it. Installation was by a boat builder of 30 + years experience who made boats to the then new EEC standards.

When I retuned home some 13 months later the Plastimo tank was still fully functional and in fact I never bothered to replace it for the rest of the time I owned the boat.