Flexible water tanks

stevebirch2002 · Feb 27, 2006

Hi Nick

Seeing the trip you are planning I would suggest you keep the tanks
separate in case one gets contaminated then the other will still be OK.
Just my thoughts.

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)

bobnlesafloat · Feb 28, 2006

It should work, but I'd be tempted to keep them seperate in case you ever suffer from a contamination problem. On Spring Fever, we've added two thirteen gallon rigid PVC tanks (one at the front of each cockpit locker) which we've connected to the galley only whilst the original tank now connects solely to the heads basin.

I'd also consider the port rather than starboard berth for the tank itself as I've always found that there seems to be more 'usefull' space to starboard.

Bob Carlisle, Spring Fever.

Nick Bowles webcraftukltd@... wrote:
Hi,

I am thinking of getting a Plastimo flexible water tank, fitting it
under the starboard bunk in the saloon and plumbing it in tandem with
the bow tank.

Has anyone done this and what snags should i beware of?

- Nick
'Fairwinds' V1842 SPONSORED LINKS
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millerkm81 · Feb 28, 2006

Hi Nick
We're also thinking of fitting flexible water tanks in the main
cabin. It seems a lot easier than trying to find one that fits,
build a platform, etc. and from what I've read, the flexible tanks
have become very reliable. I do agree with the other posts that they
should be plumbed separately. Also, we're getting two and placing
them on both starboard & port sides in order to evenly distribute the
weight. We chose the main cabin location, under the bunks, aft,
since that seems to be closest to the center of gravity...

good luck and we'll post once we get them installed,
Kristen

SVFlyAway · Feb 28, 2006

Just wondering, how much water are these tanks adding? What about the extra
weight? Doesn't the bulk and weight cut down on stores? Do any Vegas have
water makers? I've used them in boats and I know several cruisers who have
converted water tanks to fuel by adding a water maker (and yes I know they
often break, I've rebuilt them more than once when cruising). Of course they
already had multiple water tanks.

Not meant as a criticism, just curious as I am downsizing from a bigger boat
that was designed to carry thousands of pounds of stores and I've often
wondered what performance trade-offs would be made by loading a Vega for
serious cruising. Of course now I sail solo, thus the smaller boat and
hopefully much less weight.

Inquiring minds want to know

_____

From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Kristen Miller & Hans Ericsson
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 6:23 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Flexible water tanks

Hi Nick
We're also thinking of fitting flexible water tanks in the main
cabin. It seems a lot easier than trying to find one that fits,
build a platform, etc. and from what I've read, the flexible tanks
have become very reliable. I do agree with the other posts that they
should be plumbed separately. Also, we're getting two and placing
them on both starboard & port sides in order to evenly distribute the
weight. We chose the main cabin location, under the bunks, aft,
since that seems to be closest to the center of gravity...

good luck and we'll post once we get them installed,
Kristen

millerkm81 · Mar 1, 2006

Hi Chris,
As it turns out, Hans and I subsist entirely off of water & vitamins
so we don't need the storage space.

But seriously, the two tanks will add almost 80 gallons when full
which will be more than enough in the event we contemplate any
offshore passages. Watermakers are expensive and draw a lot of
energy, two things which we are trying hard to avoid. Looking at
other Vegas that have gone far distances, it looks like most have
added extra water tankage. In Mahina, John Neal added them in the
main cabin. However, it is true that the Vega performs best with a
small load so we'll have to compromise somewhere (although I'm not
giving up any of my space for my clothes and shoes--I can't possibly
go to the Bahamas without my snakeskin cowboy boots (just kidding..)).

Kristen

pelagicasd · Mar 2, 2006

Watermakers are expensive? Not one you consider such things as having to
leave a remote anchorage in search of fresh water. Or having to rely on salt
water for washing. Yecch. It leaves you feeling sticky. We have a power
survivor 35 on Lyric. Our solar panels had no problem providing enough power
to run it. Plenty of water to mix with the C-Lite (Mexican koolaid) for
cocktails. For bathing we would jump in the ocean, climb into the dinghy and
soap up, jump back into the ocean for the first rinse and then rinse with
fresh water from the solar shower. It also allowed us to get most of the
salt out of the dirty clothes when we washed them in our biggest pot. Once
again wash with Lemon Joy (it makes suds in salt water) rinse with salt
wring it out and rinse again with fresh. Not perfect but beats the heck out
of salt encrusted shorts! If I were voting for most important items for
cruising the watermaker would be way up there. Walt S/V Lyric #120

markdierker · Mar 2, 2006

We are hoping to find someone within and 8 hour drive of columbia Mo with a Vega. We just want to take a look at it and have a peek inside if possible. If there's anyone out there who could help us out we would certainly appreaciate it. Thanks

-Mark and Kay

p.s. We would be more than glad to buy dinner or a couple of beers!

Mark Dierker
Columbia, MO

millerkm81 · Mar 3, 2006

I haven't been able to find a watermaker for less than $2000--and in
our budget that falls into the category of luxury item. if you know
of any watermakers that cost less than $500 (which is a little more
than the tanks) let me know..otherwise we'll have to get used to
sticky skin and crusty shorts.