Peggie, we purchased a '94 Hunter Legend a couple of years ago. We asked the seller to replace the failing holding tank which he did - with the exact same tank built of aluminum by the original manufacturer. Any ideas on what can be done to extend the life of an aluminum tank? Thanks!
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Maybe Better
If it was recently, the replacement tanks were thicker-gauge sheet and had an interior coating. Hopefully, yours did. (I called them two years ago before finding a source for a custom plastic tank.) In any event, at least you have a new tank, and when it ultimately does fail, you know what to replace it with. Good luck, RD
If it was recently, the replacement tanks were thicker-gauge sheet and had an interior coating. Hopefully, yours did. (I called them two years ago before finding a source for a custom plastic tank.) In any event, at least you have a new tank, and when it ultimately does fail, you know what to replace it with. Good luck, RD
Not much...
The average lifespan of ANY metal waste tank is about 10 years no matter what you do to it. So don't worry about it till you notice an odor around it (it's not gonna suddenly open up and dump a tankful of sewage, it'll start with a small leak that's easily cleaned up). Then replace it. The average time that most people keep the same boat is no more than about 5 years, so by then it should be someone else's problem.
The average lifespan of ANY metal waste tank is about 10 years no matter what you do to it. So don't worry about it till you notice an odor around it (it's not gonna suddenly open up and dump a tankful of sewage, it'll start with a small leak that's easily cleaned up). Then replace it. The average time that most people keep the same boat is no more than about 5 years, so by then it should be someone else's problem.
Anyone try spray epoxy to salvage tank?
I recently bought a Hunter 430, and the fwd aluminum holding tank has two small pin holes on a seam. Supposedly this tank was seldom used, and someone suggested spraying epoxy inside to seal the tank. Has anyone done this or have any suggestions other than replacing the tank?
I recently bought a Hunter 430, and the fwd aluminum holding tank has two small pin holes on a seam. Supposedly this tank was seldom used, and someone suggested spraying epoxy inside to seal the tank. Has anyone done this or have any suggestions other than replacing the tank?
I Epoxied the Exterior...
...and it lasted two years before it began to fail. It's tough getting it to adhere to aluminum, and I used cloth too. The internal pump out pipe failed too. It's a lot of work, and I would not recommend it. Better to just buy a new tank and do all this once rather than twice. HOWEVER, try this, which worked for a long time on another boat: get aluminum stock with a 90 degree bend. Cut to fit over the seams. Install with 5200 ONLY. It will seal off the seams until something else gives way. Worth trying if it isn't used much and you have the clearance. Rick D.
...and it lasted two years before it began to fail. It's tough getting it to adhere to aluminum, and I used cloth too. The internal pump out pipe failed too. It's a lot of work, and I would not recommend it. Better to just buy a new tank and do all this once rather than twice. HOWEVER, try this, which worked for a long time on another boat: get aluminum stock with a 90 degree bend. Cut to fit over the seams. Install with 5200 ONLY. It will seal off the seams until something else gives way. Worth trying if it isn't used much and you have the clearance. Rick D.
Holding tank replaced?
Hey Rick, did you replace your holding tank with a polypropylene earlier this year? I recall a post awhile ago that you planned to do this project. If so, I'm interested in your experience. I have a 1994 40.5 and the tank replacement project is moving up on my to-do list. Thanks.
Hey Rick, did you replace your holding tank with a polypropylene earlier this year? I recall a post awhile ago that you planned to do this project. If so, I'm interested in your experience. I have a 1994 40.5 and the tank replacement project is moving up on my to-do list. Thanks.
Epoxy coating of tanks .....
Commercial Maritime users epoxy line tanks all the time with special epoxies - holding tanks, fuel tanks and potable water tanks. Such coatings are available from Interlux Commercial/Maritime Division or from specialty epoxy suppliers such as www.nsp-specialty.com (for small amounts). The 'secret' with epoxy coating any tank is getting the internal tank surfaces CLEAN and roughened and then how THICK the coating is applied. Epoxy in thin coatings is quite permeable to the 'nasties' in sewage ... and thats why you need THICK coatings. Dont use the normal 'laminating' epoxies as their molecular structure is too permeable for tank lining.
Commercial Maritime users epoxy line tanks all the time with special epoxies - holding tanks, fuel tanks and potable water tanks. Such coatings are available from Interlux Commercial/Maritime Division or from specialty epoxy suppliers such as www.nsp-specialty.com (for small amounts). The 'secret' with epoxy coating any tank is getting the internal tank surfaces CLEAN and roughened and then how THICK the coating is applied. Epoxy in thin coatings is quite permeable to the 'nasties' in sewage ... and thats why you need THICK coatings. Dont use the normal 'laminating' epoxies as their molecular structure is too permeable for tank lining.
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