Freshwater Tank Replacement for 1988 Hunter Legend 40

[boatlife_bliss]

Hi there,

We're liveaboards, located in Marina Del Rey, California.

Long story short, back in September 2017, we took out the original freshwater tank due to multiple holes. The tank was located in the V-berth. The original tank was an aluminum, 100 gallons, and a single piece. We cut it in pieces to be able to take it out and it took us 2 days. Since then we haven't been able to find a vendor to do a custom replacement. When Hunter company was building the boat, apparently, they first put the 100 gal tank in the V-berth and then closed the top of the boat without any consideration for future maintenance, fixes or replacements.

The space where the tank was an odd shape with a step-down. It has to be at least two tanks because there is no such a large entry to the boat. The largest entry we have is the top hatch that is over the V-berth. So a custom made, at least two pieces - possible 50+50 gallon, and connected at the bottom or top to act as a single tank will do the job. We want it to be connected because we have a water gauge that was on the original tank.

Have you had any similar situations? What would you recommend? The manufacturing seems to be unreachable and useless.

Thank you in advance.

 

[FastOlson]

Using aluminum for water (or much worse) waste was mistake Hunter made in the 80's. It was the right stuff for diesel, however.

For water you could have a custom tank made up in SS, or welded up in plastic. There is a chance that a tank builder like Ronco, with their zillions of molds, might have one close enough to your needs. They are great folks to work with and will put all of the needed tank piping connections right where you want them. You can get clean-out ports also.

It kind of revolves around $$, and how much compromise is acceptable for your installation.

Note B: your old tank was really (!) large, and it might be better for a lot of reasons to replace it with two (or three) smaller tanks and then have a manifold to source the one you want.

 

[Rick D]

If Ronco doesn't have something, try these people who have made a bunch of custom holding tanks for Hunter owners: http://triplemplastics.us/#&panel1-1

 

[Navicula]

I know its too late now...but I cut an access door into mine and epoxied the inside with a thick peanut butter thickness and its been that way for 6 years.....we dont drink the water but we do boil it for coffee, we did this for the waste tank as well.....all is good

 

[boatlife_bliss]

Thanks, Rick. Ronco would have cost outrageously - around 10K+. It didn't feel right. We think they just don't want the job.
I will check your suggestion.

 

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