Leaking Fresh Water Tank - Advice needed

[RonRelyea]

okay, so last year's pin hole is now a bona fide gusher ... time to do something about the fresh water tank.

Question 1 .... Ronco is a long ways away ... does anyone know a good plastic tank fabricator on the East coast? Something within a half day's drive of NY would be a great way to avoid the time and expense of freight from California.

Question 2 .... It's an aluminum tank and I assume (we all know how that works out) that replacing it with plastic is the way to go. Anyone have thoughts to the contrary? Durafix? Some magic gel to pour into the tank to re-line it? Flexible tank inserted into topless present tank?

Question 3 .... for folks with Hunter Vision 32 experience .... has anybody ever done this and have any pearls of wisdom? The tank is under the v-berth and I'm not sure it will come out or go back in without 1) hoisting the gigundo mast out of the way or 2) removing the bulkhead to the v-berth. Anyone??

Question 4 .... what's the best way to strap down the new tank? Factory strap looks like it requires a special tool ... best alternative is????

THANKS to ALL!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

okay, so last year's pin hole is now a bona fide gusher ... time to do something about the fresh water tank.

Question 1 .... Ronco is a long ways away ... does anyone know a good plastic tank fabricator on the East coast? Something within a half day's drive of NY would be a great way to avoid the time and expense of freight !

There are many tank fabricators in the northeast, one of which has been commonly used to replace the aluminum holding tanks on hunters - TripleMplastics.com which is in Maine.

They can replicate any design and are relatively cheap when compared with prefab molded sources.

 

[RonRelyea]

There are many tank fabricators in the northeast, one of which has been commonly used to replace the aluminum holding tanks on hunters - TripleMplastics.com which is in Maine.

They can replicate any design and are relatively cheap when compared with prefab molded sources.

thanks Don

 

[kloudie1]

Internal corosion or external? If external it can be patched with an aluminum screw and epoxy .. cover everything else corroded with a couple of layers of glass and epoxy to stop any further external degradation.. Don't know if you have an access hole, but find some way to inspect the inside.. a cheapie boroscope is a good option.. If there is lots of inside pitting, then replace the whole thing.. if internal pitting is limited to small areas on the bottom, that can be replaced at a good machine shop.. but the problem remains of how to get it out. I think Steve Dion on this site is a great source for Vision info..

 

[RonRelyea]

Internal corosion or external? If external it can be patched with an aluminum screw and epoxy .. cover everything else corroded with a couple of layers of glass and epoxy to stop any further external degradation.. Don't know if you have an access hole, but find some way to inspect the inside.. a cheapie boroscope is a good option.. If there is lots of inside pitting, then replace the whole thing.. if internal pitting is limited to small areas on the bottom, that can be replaced at a good machine shop.. but the problem remains of how to get it out. I think Steve Dion on this site is a great source for Vision info..

Thanks Claude ... borescope is a great idea ... will see if I can rent one and take a look inside

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'd replace with a stainless steel tank for drinking water. Prices aren't all that bad for a custom made tank. Patriot Marine Fabricating is local in Forked River, NJ.

 

[svchickadee]

Maybe you could cut the top off the current tank and insert a flexible water tank inside.

 

[jibes138]

They make tank hold down webbing straps like the kind you use to hold down a battery but a little more robust. West sells them for about 12 bucks for holding down fuel tanks. The webbing is likely too short for a tank like yours but the idea is a good one. Easy to remove without tools for one. Lowes sells adjustable hold down straps with long strong webbing for holding stuff down in pickup truck beds. A set of four of them is about 15 bucks. Since they are made to be out and exposed to the weather in the back of a truck they will probably work in this location, just need an eye or something to hook it into.

 

[RonRelyea]

Update on Fresh Water Tank

When I removed my old tank, the bottom was definitely shot and beyond any type of repair. A local welder wanted close to $300 to cut off the old bottom and weld a new one in.

I found "Alloy Metal Works" in Farmingdale, NY via a web search ... brought the old tank down to them and they fabricated a new one using 1/8 inch aluminum. Old tank had one baffle .. they put in two ... total tab = $360. I'm good for another 25 years.

Thanks to everyone for all the tips and advice!