Has anyone used these holding tanks? I don't see anything about a vent. Wouldn't it create a vacuum making it harder on the eletric pump. Does anyone recommend a book on how to set up the plumbing in a boat? I pretty much have it all figured out, I'm a fireman so I understand PSI and GPM's; but I mathematical formulas do not always give you a good idea of what really works. How many gallons do you recommend for a weekend on the boat? What pumps do all you recommend. I have a raw water intake for a wash down so that is out of the formula. Here is another question: I have a Catalina 30 and the original freshwater tank is under the starboard berth. My last boat a Hunter 27, had 25 gallons up front under the v berth. What seems the to be the best layout? I have 2 batteries, a holding tank, and a fridge all on the port side. Will the boat perform better with weight foward from a freshwater tank?Sorry for all the questions but like most everyone there is only so much time and money and I am trying to keep both at a minimum by learning from all of you. THANKS !!
Freshwater holding tanks
- Thread starter Traumaguard
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I think you're trying to over-think it....
You have a water tank...and yes, it should be vented unless it's a bladder. It's in as good a location as any other. You most likely have a water pump too...fill the tank, turn on the pump. If it works, you're good to go. How much water do you need for a weekend? Some people can manage with as little 10 gallons...others go through 100 gallons. As for weight distribution, you do seem to be a bit heavy on the port side...that can be fixed by moving the batteries to the starboard side. The weight of the water tank in the bow shouldn't affect trim at all unless you're a dedicated racer...in which case, empty it before you race. As for how to maintain your fresh water and sanitation plumbing, you might want to check out the link below.
You have a water tank...and yes, it should be vented unless it's a bladder. It's in as good a location as any other. You most likely have a water pump too...fill the tank, turn on the pump. If it works, you're good to go. How much water do you need for a weekend? Some people can manage with as little 10 gallons...others go through 100 gallons. As for weight distribution, you do seem to be a bit heavy on the port side...that can be fixed by moving the batteries to the starboard side. The weight of the water tank in the bow shouldn't affect trim at all unless you're a dedicated racer...in which case, empty it before you race. As for how to maintain your fresh water and sanitation plumbing, you might want to check out the link below.
Bladder Tank
I too had a bladder tank for my fresh water and I also installed it on my Catalina 30. The Bladder tanks do not need a vent, as the water is used up, the tank collapses accordingly, and thus, no vacuum. I had the 35 gallon bladder tank and located it under the starboard setee. This did not cause the boat to lean or heel. I replaced the original tank when i bought the boat, it was cracked and leaked. This will not affect the performance of the boat. It will take you a while to learn to conserve water, but when you do, 2 people can live on 35 gallons for several days. As for plumbing, any book on boat repair and maintenance will do. For your fresh water system, its not much different than a house except mainly you use hoses that flex as opposed to solid pipes in a home.
I too had a bladder tank for my fresh water and I also installed it on my Catalina 30. The Bladder tanks do not need a vent, as the water is used up, the tank collapses accordingly, and thus, no vacuum. I had the 35 gallon bladder tank and located it under the starboard setee. This did not cause the boat to lean or heel. I replaced the original tank when i bought the boat, it was cracked and leaked. This will not affect the performance of the boat. It will take you a while to learn to conserve water, but when you do, 2 people can live on 35 gallons for several days. As for plumbing, any book on boat repair and maintenance will do. For your fresh water system, its not much different than a house except mainly you use hoses that flex as opposed to solid pipes in a home.
Trauma guard...Please verify info.
I also had a Catalina 30 (1984)and my batteries , water tank and a refrigerator (a small one I bought in Walmart) were all on the starboard side . I believe you said the port side. What makes me question this is when your opening statement "Has anyone used these holding tanks?" . A holding tank is usually referred to as a septic tank. If that is what you meant, then yes, it is on the port side, but my batteries were on the starboard side. Either I'm confused, or our models are somewaht different. I had put a 30 gallon bladder freshwater tank on my starboard side and a 40 gallon holding (septic) tank on the port side. There was no balance problem and the batteries did not have to be relocated. By the way, the 'holding ' tank is not the same as the water tank.
I also had a Catalina 30 (1984)and my batteries , water tank and a refrigerator (a small one I bought in Walmart) were all on the starboard side . I believe you said the port side. What makes me question this is when your opening statement "Has anyone used these holding tanks?" . A holding tank is usually referred to as a septic tank. If that is what you meant, then yes, it is on the port side, but my batteries were on the starboard side. Either I'm confused, or our models are somewaht different. I had put a 30 gallon bladder freshwater tank on my starboard side and a 40 gallon holding (septic) tank on the port side. There was no balance problem and the batteries did not have to be relocated. By the way, the 'holding ' tank is not the same as the water tank.
OOPS !!
what i meant was that the holding tank is not the same construction or materials as the water tank even though they were both bladder tanks. If you decide to go with a bladder holding tank , check the catalogs carefully. There are 3 main types of bladder tanks...holding tanks, water tanks, and fuel tanks
what i meant was that the holding tank is not the same construction or materials as the water tank even though they were both bladder tanks. If you decide to go with a bladder holding tank , check the catalogs carefully. There are 3 main types of bladder tanks...holding tanks, water tanks, and fuel tanks
Weight Distribution & Trim
TG, A rule of thumb in good weight distribution is to keep weight as much to the center and as low as you can for greatest stability. Weight pushed to the bow and stern will increase (or induce in an otherwise stable boat) hobby-horsing, i.e., pitching up and down, when beating against a large chop. A lot of chain in the anchor locker and a lot of weight on the stern rail in the form of outboards and dinghies hanging from davits will excacerrbate this symptom. On the Catalina, the tank is mid-ships, but rather high, so overall, it's not too bad, esp. considering there's no bilge to mold a tank into go get the weight any lower (you get headroom instead). Installing your new tank in the bow would be contra-indicated from a performance and sea-keeping standpoint. This seems like a pretty simple retro-fit. I'm sure the manual will tell you to use those corner grommets to tie the bladder in to prevent shifting around with boat motion. Remember to pad the volume the tank sets into to guard against chafe, the most insidious enemy of bladder-type tanks. Jeff
TG, A rule of thumb in good weight distribution is to keep weight as much to the center and as low as you can for greatest stability. Weight pushed to the bow and stern will increase (or induce in an otherwise stable boat) hobby-horsing, i.e., pitching up and down, when beating against a large chop. A lot of chain in the anchor locker and a lot of weight on the stern rail in the form of outboards and dinghies hanging from davits will excacerrbate this symptom. On the Catalina, the tank is mid-ships, but rather high, so overall, it's not too bad, esp. considering there's no bilge to mold a tank into go get the weight any lower (you get headroom instead). Installing your new tank in the bow would be contra-indicated from a performance and sea-keeping standpoint. This seems like a pretty simple retro-fit. I'm sure the manual will tell you to use those corner grommets to tie the bladder in to prevent shifting around with boat motion. Remember to pad the volume the tank sets into to guard against chafe, the most insidious enemy of bladder-type tanks. Jeff
Hold That Thought
From his description and the link he provided, it's apparent TG is planning on replacing his fresh water tank, not his (waste) holding tank.
From his description and the link he provided, it's apparent TG is planning on replacing his fresh water tank, not his (waste) holding tank.
bladder tank
I have a 25 gallon bladder tank under the starboard setee. My original polypropylene tank developed a crack at the top center of the tank and I had to cut it out. because the tank was installed before the glass was layed up I couldn't just pull the tank and replace it. Anyway the tank is 3 gallons smaller than the original but I've yet to run out of water on a weekend and I have to pull in to a marina for a week or more at sea for a refill. The fill fitting was the same diameter as the original tank and I had to put an adapter on the pump side. The supply line to the pump is 1/2" ID and the line coming out of the tank is 3/8" ID so I bought a nylon step up adapter at Lowes for .89 cents a couple of clamps and life is good. I like the tank because I can pull it out in the winter, take it home give it a bleach/water rinse and not worry about freezing. Peggy is right: because it is a bladder it collapses as it empties so no vent is needed. Good luck, Mike
I have a 25 gallon bladder tank under the starboard setee. My original polypropylene tank developed a crack at the top center of the tank and I had to cut it out. because the tank was installed before the glass was layed up I couldn't just pull the tank and replace it. Anyway the tank is 3 gallons smaller than the original but I've yet to run out of water on a weekend and I have to pull in to a marina for a week or more at sea for a refill. The fill fitting was the same diameter as the original tank and I had to put an adapter on the pump side. The supply line to the pump is 1/2" ID and the line coming out of the tank is 3/8" ID so I bought a nylon step up adapter at Lowes for .89 cents a couple of clamps and life is good. I like the tank because I can pull it out in the winter, take it home give it a bleach/water rinse and not worry about freezing. Peggy is right: because it is a bladder it collapses as it empties so no vent is needed. Good luck, Mike
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