Water tank inspection covers

[atlanticbaron]

I have a 37yo Nantucket Clipper and have discovered that both water tank inspection covers (6" circular plastic) are leaking badly when I tried to fill the tank.

The tank is built into the top of the keel with the two inspection covers mounted in the tank top which is below the cabin sole. The rubber seals under the hatches are perished hence the leaks. I am unable to unscrew the lids and thus feel that they will need replacing.

My question is, has anyone else experienced this problem and what was the solution? I'm think along the lines of drilling through the covers and cutting them away and so hopefully then getting access to the mounting rings in order to remove them - this might seem a bit drastic but I don't think I have a lot of choice.

Looking forward to some helpful advice.

Tony B

 

[concentrik]

I had a very similar problem..... five individual water tanks fitted under the cabin sole, each containing about 150 litres and fitted with two circular inspection covers. The covers were the screw on type with the frame bolted to the tank surface. the frames had cracked, been repaired, cracked again etc etc and leaked a fair bit. Replacement inspection covers were available but didn't seem any sturdier than the exisiting ones.

After I pondered over how often I would need to inspect the tanks and why, I decided to fit simple circular plates over the exsting holes, with the entire old covers removed. The circular plates were cut from polythene food grade breadboards (!) available for about a quid each in the pound shop (gettaway!). Screwed and sealed with good quality silicone. Not a drop emerges. If I want to see in the tank I do have to unpeel the silicone and replace it, but since getting the sole up and the tools out takes so long anyway it seemed worth it to spend 10 x £1 against 10 x £16

 

[Talulah]

Above suggestion sounds fine.
Only thing I would change would be to buy some 3mm silicon sheet to make seals from instead of using sealant.
3mm silicon sheet can be bought by the metre on the www or ebay for smaller pieces.

 

[Jabs]

Have a look at Tek Tanks and Cak Tanks.

They do some prefabricated caps which are a piece of cake to use.

I had a forty year old tank that didn't have access and needed (!) cleaning!

Tony.

 

[atlanticbaron]

Thanks for the information. I've ordered some Barton screw off hatches. The next test will be how to remove the seized and leaking old ones!!

Tony