1985 hunter 40 we are close to buying fresh water tank

Steve Dion · Jun 9, 2014

What is the problem?

Is there an issue with the tank? It has only lasted for 29 yrs.

B757Captain · Jun 10, 2014

If it helps, I just cut an inspection hole in the forward tank of my '86 Legend 40. The tank was surprisingly clean inside with only a few isolated small spots of growth. I have been doing a lot of research lately on water tanks and one of the things I learned is that if the tanks are aluminum, the grade of material makes a big difference in how chemicals in the water (chlorine and other nasties) react. Perhaps Hunter had the tanks made from one of the better alloys.

That's the good news. The bad news is if the tank needs replacement it must be cut apart in place because it's too big to fit through the companionway (or the forward bulkhead door for that matter). This would also affect fitting a replacement tank.

Ask the owner if he would consider adding an inspection hole - the tank does not have one but it is easy to access. That was you would know for sure.

I have owned my '86 for ten years and have done extensive upgrades front to back and top to bottom. PM me if you want to know where the real trouble spots are!

Mark

KD3PC · Jun 10, 2014

crazy frenchman said:
Our hunter 28.5 it's a 1987 the fresh water tank is molded as part of the boat so the water tastes good OK for drinking. The aluminum tank will have corrosion in side after 29 years of use.

name your material...fiberglass or aluminum...both MAY have issues. We used a filter, similar to home style on all water for cooking or drinking (at the galley sink). If the aluminum worries you, it can be cut out and replaced by multiple, "plastic" tanks, plumbed together or separately.

Plastic MAY also have issues.

Not sure what the concern is: leaching, corrosion, as a kid we drank spring water and still use well water....if you LOOK in either, you will see a lot of stuff that is not too appetizing. Similarly with galvanized or copper supply lines.

Filters will take care of the important things.

Benny17441 · Jun 10, 2014

We use our water tank for showering and washing dishes. For drinking and cooking we pack water bottles. Give very little maintenance to the tank and often leave it sit half empty for a length of time. As long as the water passes the smell test we figure it is OK and have never had a problem. We are coastal sailors and do not require a massive water storage tank to stay alive. It works for us.

Steve Dion · Jun 10, 2014

We pre-filter our water with a Hydro Life RV/Marine Exterior Water Filter. You may consider an in-line filter from your tank.

Allan Frey · Jun 10, 2014

To minimize bacteria, you need a 1 micron filter such as:

[FONT=&quot]Campbell DW-CMR 9-3/4" 1 Micron Filter Cartridge[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT] Price:
$26.99
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

[FONT=&quot]Part # 48790[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Carbon Block[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Perfect for RV's[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Once the water is going into the tank, I follow the CDC bleach procedure to kill the few bacteria and the viruses that get thru the filter. I calculated how much 8.5 % concentrated bleach I need for my 75 gallon tank. Thus, I add 1.6 fluid ounces of bleach, mixed in a quart or so of water, and put it into the tank when the tank is one third full; so that I get good mixing as the tank finishes filling.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]You need a housing for the filter which places like home depot probably have.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Jun 10, 2014

Get a SafeH2O system and put it between the pump and your water distribution manifold. I put one on last year and it makes very safe whole ship water. Uses a 2 micron, then 10 micron and then UV light to filter water up to 3 gallons per minute. Change out filters and UV light annually for about $50. We drink, cook, shower, brush teeth, everything and have no problems. You can put lake water in your tank, send it through this system and drink the water. We don't of course, but you never know what you will pick up at various water sources while cruising. Check it out. $285 plus a few supplies to install.

ben solomon · Jun 10, 2014

I use the cdc method (although i didn't know that's what it was until reading the previous post). Two caps of bleach in the 75 gallon water tank. Mine is polyethylene on a 1989 hunter legend 37.5.

Ben

ben solomon · Jun 10, 2014

I forgot to mention....I use an instapur sink filter from home depot, etc., on the galley sink for drinking.

Ben

splax · Jun 11, 2014

I use the RV filters that go on the white potable water hoses used to fill the water tanks. I think each filter is good for about a year or a 1000 gallons.