Flexible Water Tanks
- Thread starter Doug J
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I have a 15 gallon one I use on my dinghy to refill the water tanks on my boat during extended stays in Catalina. It works just fine. Having said that, I have used two in other boats, but they were Nauta which is more expensive but, I think, more durable. I used them as a primary and reserve for years and found them to be flawless. Plastimo may be fine in that application too, I just do not have experience with it. BTW, I am considering eventually adding a Nauta fuel tank as an auxiliary.
Bladder tanks are ok for water holding (but not a good choice for waste holding), but I'd go with a Nauta tank...they're a bit higher quality than Plastimo. Average lifespan is only about 15 years...IF the tank is installed to prevent chafe and maintained.
For about the same price or even less, a good quality rigid plastic tank will last as long as the boat if it's maintained. Check the Ronco Plastics catalog...they make top quality plastic water and waste tanks for a very reasonable price (price is even better if you order it through the online store on this site) and have more than 400 shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular...and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank. Ronco Plastics
For about the same price or even less, a good quality rigid plastic tank will last as long as the boat if it's maintained. Check the Ronco Plastics catalog...they make top quality plastic water and waste tanks for a very reasonable price (price is even better if you order it through the online store on this site) and have more than 400 shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular...and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank. Ronco Plastics
My boat had 2 flexible waste tanks, one is still working fine and no leaks when pumped full and the other one split at a seam so I removed it. Both were original and are 36 years old. All I know is they were made in France. I could not get a plastic one into the space provided and I have seen plastic ones crack for no apparent reason.
Like Peggie said, you need to be sure that the tank does not chafe/abrasion from rubbing back/forth when you are tacking. Most of the time the lockers where these tanks are mounted are on the raw hull.
These tanks are usually expensive (14 gal cost $210 @ Defender) and considering you could be replacing again in a few years if NOT properly installed you may be better off with a poly tank.
These tanks are usually expensive (14 gal cost $210 @ Defender) and considering you could be replacing again in a few years if NOT properly installed you may be better off with a poly tank.
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