Our 79 Hunter 30 had a 33 gal metal water tank that was located under the port settee. We removed it because it was pitted inside and are thinking about replacing it with a flexable tank. Sail magazine had an article this past fall on the subject. There isn't a lot of space under that port settee and we had to remove the inspection port hardware from the tank before it would come out. The flexable tank seems to be the best solution for the space. Anyone had any experience with flexable tanks?
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It's surely a workable option, Tammy
We cut a heavy fiberglass tank out of a Pacific Seacraft - it held a bit more than 20 gals - and replaced it with a 40 gallon bladder tank. We were pleased with the exchange. I'm familiar with the SAIL article and, altho' some of their technical write-ups seem superficial to me, I thought that one was solid info. Consider lining the area on which the bladder will sit and lean against (to avoid chafe), insuring you have the thing well attached (to stout points) at the corners so it can't 'scrunch around' when it's half-full and the boat is moving in a redundant fashion, and be sure to buy quality, not price, when picking your tank. I wouldn't recommend this as a good idea if the boat only had ONE tank, however. Jack
We cut a heavy fiberglass tank out of a Pacific Seacraft - it held a bit more than 20 gals - and replaced it with a 40 gallon bladder tank. We were pleased with the exchange. I'm familiar with the SAIL article and, altho' some of their technical write-ups seem superficial to me, I thought that one was solid info. Consider lining the area on which the bladder will sit and lean against (to avoid chafe), insuring you have the thing well attached (to stout points) at the corners so it can't 'scrunch around' when it's half-full and the boat is moving in a redundant fashion, and be sure to buy quality, not price, when picking your tank. I wouldn't recommend this as a good idea if the boat only had ONE tank, however. Jack
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Tammy
flexable tank
Jack, Why wouldn't you recommend the flexable tank as a replacement for a single tank? We were planning on this being our only water tank. Which brand of tank did you use?
Jack, Why wouldn't you recommend the flexable tank as a replacement for a single tank? We were planning on this being our only water tank. Which brand of tank did you use?
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Lori
Works okay
I added a 20 gal flexible tank under the v-berth in my Ranger 29 to add water storage to the 15 gal rigid plastic tank. It worked fine although after a couple of years there was scum buildup inside. I never used it for drinking water because of that, although maybe I should have used some sort of treatment. Don't remember the brand but it was white with some orange emblem. As mentioned before, be sure to secure it well. FYI my fill/drain was on the underside and you CAN fill them from the bottom up (despite what people told me). I just used a "Y" valve to switch between filling and linking it to the water system.
I added a 20 gal flexible tank under the v-berth in my Ranger 29 to add water storage to the 15 gal rigid plastic tank. It worked fine although after a couple of years there was scum buildup inside. I never used it for drinking water because of that, although maybe I should have used some sort of treatment. Don't remember the brand but it was white with some orange emblem. As mentioned before, be sure to secure it well. FYI my fill/drain was on the underside and you CAN fill them from the bottom up (despite what people told me). I just used a "Y" valve to switch between filling and linking it to the water system.
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Keith
I like them
I put a 15 gal in and loved it. I did line the area with that sticky rubber shelf liner to help hold it in place and add a chafe layer. We bought a Plastimo brand they have a nylon cover that encloses the bladder. Many sizes also Keith
I put a 15 gal in and loved it. I did line the area with that sticky rubber shelf liner to help hold it in place and add a chafe layer. We bought a Plastimo brand they have a nylon cover that encloses the bladder. Many sizes also Keith
I drink water out of mine.
Tammy: I drink water out of my water tank and do not like these tanks at all. The give off the vinyl/ rubber taste in the water (at least ours did). I seriouly doubt if you will get nearly as many years of use out of one either. As the boat heals the tank will move and eventually cause the fabric to abrade. I suggest that you search for a tank at Ronco Plastics first.
Tammy: I drink water out of my water tank and do not like these tanks at all. The give off the vinyl/ rubber taste in the water (at least ours did). I seriouly doubt if you will get nearly as many years of use out of one either. As the boat heals the tank will move and eventually cause the fabric to abrade. I suggest that you search for a tank at Ronco Plastics first.
Tammy, they just don't offer the longevity...
...that a rigid tank does, which would seem important when immediate add'l sources of water won't be available (e.g. offshore). If you're using your boat for lake or coastal sailing and carry a jug or two of drinking water, I wouldn't think this would be an issue for you. OTOH you are quite likely to get more volume from a bladder, an acceptable trade-off I would think. Scum will build up in any tank, especially if not treated (e.g. with diluted household bleach). Soliciting feedback on which tanks don't affect the taste is a good idea, and a lined tank should provide better tasting water. We installed an Avon bladder and it left no taste in the water...but that was so long ago that I'd caution you about drawing conclusions from it to today's Avon tanks. Jack
...that a rigid tank does, which would seem important when immediate add'l sources of water won't be available (e.g. offshore). If you're using your boat for lake or coastal sailing and carry a jug or two of drinking water, I wouldn't think this would be an issue for you. OTOH you are quite likely to get more volume from a bladder, an acceptable trade-off I would think. Scum will build up in any tank, especially if not treated (e.g. with diluted household bleach). Soliciting feedback on which tanks don't affect the taste is a good idea, and a lined tank should provide better tasting water. We installed an Avon bladder and it left no taste in the water...but that was so long ago that I'd caution you about drawing conclusions from it to today's Avon tanks. Jack
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Gord May
Flex vs Hard
Your original query suggests that a Flexible Tank may be the best solution; whereas I’d re-state that to EASIEST solution. For the reasons already stated, I concur /w the suggestion to look at Ronco Plastics (or elsewhere) for a suitable hard tank. http://www.ronco-plastics.com/ Regards, Gord
Your original query suggests that a Flexible Tank may be the best solution; whereas I’d re-state that to EASIEST solution. For the reasons already stated, I concur /w the suggestion to look at Ronco Plastics (or elsewhere) for a suitable hard tank. http://www.ronco-plastics.com/ Regards, Gord
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