I have my H-27 1990 sailboat on a trailer at my home completely going through the boat. I replaced the leaking water heater and decided to remove the lid on the water tank (under forward V-birth)just to see what condition it was in. The previous owner told me they frequently used the system and put a little clorox in the water when they filled it each time. Needless to say the tank cover came off in peices due to rot (WHEW SMELLED BAD TOO) as I removed it. When I opened the tank I could not believe my eyes. Black all over the inside of the tank with beleive it or not fresh water barnicles, 12 each ( the boat was kept on a fresh water lake) and gelcoat blisters! There are gelcoat stress cracks in the bottom of the tank also. I spent a lot of time cleaning the tank and now I am ready to coat it with something, I have some MAS Epoxy and am considering recoating the inside of the tank with it, do you agree or would you recommend something else for a inside coating? Or would you replace it with a flexable water tank? Thanks James
Fresh Water Tank
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Ron
Epoxy
Epoxy is fine. I am currently building new tanks for my H37C and have done extensive research on the use of epoxy. I am using the West System epoxy, but yours will do fine. Be sure it is completely cured (7 to 10 days) before you use it. After that it's just plastic so enjoy a cool, fresh, clean drink. For more info connect West Systems in Bay City Michigan for their free brochures.. Ron/KA5HZV
Epoxy is fine. I am currently building new tanks for my H37C and have done extensive research on the use of epoxy. I am using the West System epoxy, but yours will do fine. Be sure it is completely cured (7 to 10 days) before you use it. After that it's just plastic so enjoy a cool, fresh, clean drink. For more info connect West Systems in Bay City Michigan for their free brochures.. Ron/KA5HZV
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Well, you've proven me right....
A little bleach with each fill accomplishes nothing good, and may have contributed to the damage. If the water tank was black, you can only imagine what the plumbing must be like. So before you start the tank repairs, recommission the whole system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress library (link is on the forum homepage). As bad as the tank is, you might want to do it twice. To keep the system from getting into that condition again, recommission at least annually. Be sure the water heater is off and the water in it is cold before beginning. Don't heat water again until all the solution has been completely flushed out of the system.
A little bleach with each fill accomplishes nothing good, and may have contributed to the damage. If the water tank was black, you can only imagine what the plumbing must be like. So before you start the tank repairs, recommission the whole system according to the directions in the "Fresh Water Maintenance" article in the Head Mistress library (link is on the forum homepage). As bad as the tank is, you might want to do it twice. To keep the system from getting into that condition again, recommission at least annually. Be sure the water heater is off and the water in it is cold before beginning. Don't heat water again until all the solution has been completely flushed out of the system.
Fresh Water Thanks
Peggie & Ron Appreciate your response! Peggie, we read your article in the library and we plan to follow your instructions to recommission at least twice this time and then annually there after. I am building an inspection port into the tank lid so I can check it as often as I want. Ron appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience! Again Thanks Jim
Peggie & Ron Appreciate your response! Peggie, we read your article in the library and we plan to follow your instructions to recommission at least twice this time and then annually there after. I am building an inspection port into the tank lid so I can check it as often as I want. Ron appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience! Again Thanks Jim
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Bill O'Donovan
Revolting
This is so disgusting that the post ought to be transferred to the "night from hell" query!
This is so disgusting that the post ought to be transferred to the "night from hell" query!
Yes Revolting
Bill This is a prime example of what can happen if proper water system maintenance schedules are not followed, such as Peggie recommends, My boat is a 1990 model; wonder what older boat water tanks look like that were negelected! The only way I could clean it was to scrape with a metal scraper and scrub with steel wool, straight Clorox and ZAP fiberglass cleaner. I am not through yet. I talked with a local business man that builds fiberglass water tanks and he told me to use a FDA approved gel-coat to re-coat the tank + sand out the blisters, etc. This has turned into a big job however I am determined to do it right. By the way I just completed peeling the first layer chop strand mat off the bottom due to 43 blisters per sq ft all over the bottom. Then layed up 1 layer of 32 oz woven roven and 2 layers of 18 3/4 oz bi-axel fabric followed by 5 coats of MAS Epoxie for a barrier coats. I have been at it for 7 months now, The boat from HELL will be in tip top shape when complete though! Jim
Bill This is a prime example of what can happen if proper water system maintenance schedules are not followed, such as Peggie recommends, My boat is a 1990 model; wonder what older boat water tanks look like that were negelected! The only way I could clean it was to scrape with a metal scraper and scrub with steel wool, straight Clorox and ZAP fiberglass cleaner. I am not through yet. I talked with a local business man that builds fiberglass water tanks and he told me to use a FDA approved gel-coat to re-coat the tank + sand out the blisters, etc. This has turned into a big job however I am determined to do it right. By the way I just completed peeling the first layer chop strand mat off the bottom due to 43 blisters per sq ft all over the bottom. Then layed up 1 layer of 32 oz woven roven and 2 layers of 18 3/4 oz bi-axel fabric followed by 5 coats of MAS Epoxie for a barrier coats. I have been at it for 7 months now, The boat from HELL will be in tip top shape when complete though! Jim
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Jim Arthur
What about the flexible water tanks?
I am refurbishing an 1979 Hunter 30. After seeing the condition of some of the fresh water plumbing, I decided that my best course of action was to replace the entire system. I removed the water tank which was located under the port settee, and am now considering a flexible 36 gallon tank manufactured by Plastimo. This may be a good alternative for you and you will know that you have good fresh water when you leave the dock. Also, if anybody has had experience with the flexible water tanks, I would certainly be interested in your experience. Thanks
I am refurbishing an 1979 Hunter 30. After seeing the condition of some of the fresh water plumbing, I decided that my best course of action was to replace the entire system. I removed the water tank which was located under the port settee, and am now considering a flexible 36 gallon tank manufactured by Plastimo. This may be a good alternative for you and you will know that you have good fresh water when you leave the dock. Also, if anybody has had experience with the flexible water tanks, I would certainly be interested in your experience. Thanks
J
Jim Arthur
What about the flexible water tanks?
I am refurbishing an 1979 Hunter 30. After seeing the condition of some of the fresh water plumbing, I decided that my best course of action was to replace the entire system. I removed the water tank which was located under the port settee, and am now considering a flexible 36 gallon tank manufactured by Plastimo. This may be a good alternative for you and you will know that you have good fresh water when you leave the dock. Also, if anybody has had experience with the flexible water tanks, I would certainly be interested in your experience. Thanks
I am refurbishing an 1979 Hunter 30. After seeing the condition of some of the fresh water plumbing, I decided that my best course of action was to replace the entire system. I removed the water tank which was located under the port settee, and am now considering a flexible 36 gallon tank manufactured by Plastimo. This may be a good alternative for you and you will know that you have good fresh water when you leave the dock. Also, if anybody has had experience with the flexible water tanks, I would certainly be interested in your experience. Thanks
J
John
flexible tanks
I have a flexible tank in a 78 H30 I put in this summer. No issues yet. I got the 40 gallon one, and it fit with tons of room to spare. Works great, no leaks (yet....)
I have a flexible tank in a 78 H30 I put in this summer. No issues yet. I got the 40 gallon one, and it fit with tons of room to spare. Works great, no leaks (yet....)
J
John
flexible tanks
I have a flexible tank in a 78 H30 I put in this summer. No issues yet. I got the 40 gallon one, and it fit with tons of room to spare. Works great, no leaks (yet....)
I have a flexible tank in a 78 H30 I put in this summer. No issues yet. I got the 40 gallon one, and it fit with tons of room to spare. Works great, no leaks (yet....)
Flex Tank
I studied using the flexible tank however it would have cost more than it did to refurbish my tank. On the 1990 H27 the tank is built in as part of the fiberglass structure and part of the V-birth. The more I analyzed using the flexible tank the more work would have to be done. The area under the V-birth was not very conducive to flexible tanks. Appreciate the recommendation though! Jim
I studied using the flexible tank however it would have cost more than it did to refurbish my tank. On the 1990 H27 the tank is built in as part of the fiberglass structure and part of the V-birth. The more I analyzed using the flexible tank the more work would have to be done. The area under the V-birth was not very conducive to flexible tanks. Appreciate the recommendation though! Jim
Flex Tank
I studied using the flexible tank however it would have cost more than it did to refurbish my tank. On the 1990 H27 the tank is built in as part of the fiberglass structure and part of the V-birth. The more I analyzed using the flexible tank the more work would have to be done. The area under the V-birth was not very conducive to flexible tanks. Appreciate the recommendation though! Jim
I studied using the flexible tank however it would have cost more than it did to refurbish my tank. On the 1990 H27 the tank is built in as part of the fiberglass structure and part of the V-birth. The more I analyzed using the flexible tank the more work would have to be done. The area under the V-birth was not very conducive to flexible tanks. Appreciate the recommendation though! Jim
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Plastimo tanks are not the best quality
If you're determined to go with a bladder, make it a Vetus or a Nauta. However, I'd go with a rigid plastic tank if it were my boat.
If you're determined to go with a bladder, make it a Vetus or a Nauta. However, I'd go with a rigid plastic tank if it were my boat.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Plastimo tanks are not the best quality
If you're determined to go with a bladder, make it a Vetus or a Nauta. However, I'd go with a rigid plastic tank if it were my boat.
If you're determined to go with a bladder, make it a Vetus or a Nauta. However, I'd go with a rigid plastic tank if it were my boat.
Plastimo is really low end stuff.
Shop around before you purchase ANY flex tank. Plastimo is the bottom of the barrel. They are made from PVC (like a Sevylor toys). Check out the Nauta tanks. If you spend that much money, you may as well install a rigid tank. I think that the easiest fix for a fiberglass water tank is to reglass and delamination and then either the gelcoat or epoxy. Be sure to make a good air tight lid for the tank. I personally just opened my water tank after 15 years of service (it is moulded fiberglass). It had some silt from the well water that we have been using for 15 years and one or two little growths on the surface. Cleaned it very well, replaced the lid and resealed it. Hope I get another 15 years on the tank.
Shop around before you purchase ANY flex tank. Plastimo is the bottom of the barrel. They are made from PVC (like a Sevylor toys). Check out the Nauta tanks. If you spend that much money, you may as well install a rigid tank. I think that the easiest fix for a fiberglass water tank is to reglass and delamination and then either the gelcoat or epoxy. Be sure to make a good air tight lid for the tank. I personally just opened my water tank after 15 years of service (it is moulded fiberglass). It had some silt from the well water that we have been using for 15 years and one or two little growths on the surface. Cleaned it very well, replaced the lid and resealed it. Hope I get another 15 years on the tank.
Plastimo is really low end stuff.
Shop around before you purchase ANY flex tank. Plastimo is the bottom of the barrel. They are made from PVC (like a Sevylor toys). Check out the Nauta tanks. If you spend that much money, you may as well install a rigid tank. I think that the easiest fix for a fiberglass water tank is to reglass and delamination and then either the gelcoat or epoxy. Be sure to make a good air tight lid for the tank. I personally just opened my water tank after 15 years of service (it is moulded fiberglass). It had some silt from the well water that we have been using for 15 years and one or two little growths on the surface. Cleaned it very well, replaced the lid and resealed it. Hope I get another 15 years on the tank.
Shop around before you purchase ANY flex tank. Plastimo is the bottom of the barrel. They are made from PVC (like a Sevylor toys). Check out the Nauta tanks. If you spend that much money, you may as well install a rigid tank. I think that the easiest fix for a fiberglass water tank is to reglass and delamination and then either the gelcoat or epoxy. Be sure to make a good air tight lid for the tank. I personally just opened my water tank after 15 years of service (it is moulded fiberglass). It had some silt from the well water that we have been using for 15 years and one or two little growths on the surface. Cleaned it very well, replaced the lid and resealed it. Hope I get another 15 years on the tank.
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