New holding tank and plumbing, '82 H37c
- Thread starter DougMai
- Start date
Hey Jim,
Yes, I did replace the holding tank with a plastic Ronco and years ago. But the posts preceding my comment were of a water tank project. And I do need to do something there.
Yes, I did replace the holding tank with a plastic Ronco and years ago. But the posts preceding my comment were of a water tank project. And I do need to do something there.
This project started in ernest in October. Today I finished the fiberglass tank and thought you might like to see it. I'll post more photos once it's in the boat.
Oh, another change in plans - I didn't install an access port. I figure it is one more place to worry about a smell escaping from. But I did reinforce the top with an extra 1/4 inch plate (inside) and have reserved space to cut a 6" hole and 9" cover in the future.
And the pictures also show the extra internal lip I made in the back (acute angle side) to help set the top.
Oh, another change in plans - I didn't install an access port. I figure it is one more place to worry about a smell escaping from. But I did reinforce the top with an extra 1/4 inch plate (inside) and have reserved space to cut a 6" hole and 9" cover in the future.
And the pictures also show the extra internal lip I made in the back (acute angle side) to help set the top.
Attachments
Most important part of this project (after installing a new holding tank) is to replace / redo the frp. structures, that were cut away, to remove the old tank, which appear to be part of the boat's hull reinforcement in a manner that restores their structural integrity.
Doug
I am in the producing a fiberglass tank similar to yours and I have a few questions.
How thick did you make the tank?
Did you line the tank to make the interior smoother therefore cleaner when empty?
What kind of fittings did you use for the inlet and outlet?
Thanks
I am in the producing a fiberglass tank similar to yours and I have a few questions.
How thick did you make the tank?
Did you line the tank to make the interior smoother therefore cleaner when empty?
What kind of fittings did you use for the inlet and outlet?
Thanks
Sailorjack,
Good luck with your tank. I used 1/4" manufactured FRP panel. Very strong material. I installed two internal baffles to reduce sloshing, but mainly to strengthen the tank structure (keep joints from flexing). May have been overkill, I feel good with them. I recommend you look at this link from Good Old Boat, that's where I got my basic education on stitch & glue.
http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/articles/sanitation.php
I did not line the inside of the tank. It will never be clean but it should empty well enough.
Tank fittings are Spears SCH 80 CPVC tank adapters. I bought them at the local plumbing supply store. The body and gasket are installed FROM THE INSIDE, see manufacturers instructions.
Hope this helps. I'm about to post more info on my project. Take a look at the final photos soon.
Cheers,
Doug
Good luck with your tank. I used 1/4" manufactured FRP panel. Very strong material. I installed two internal baffles to reduce sloshing, but mainly to strengthen the tank structure (keep joints from flexing). May have been overkill, I feel good with them. I recommend you look at this link from Good Old Boat, that's where I got my basic education on stitch & glue.
http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/articles/sanitation.php
I did not line the inside of the tank. It will never be clean but it should empty well enough.
Tank fittings are Spears SCH 80 CPVC tank adapters. I bought them at the local plumbing supply store. The body and gasket are installed FROM THE INSIDE, see manufacturers instructions.
Hope this helps. I'm about to post more info on my project. Take a look at the final photos soon.
Cheers,
Doug
All,
I am finishing my tank installation now. Tank, hoses, deck fitting, shower seat, shower wall, and head have all been installed. I'll post some final photos.
Two things I don't have photos of: the shower seat repair detail and the tank tie-down detail. I used the same 1/4" FRP that I used to build the tank and cut in 2" wide strips to backer-block the shower seat joint. Screwed together at 4" spacing, the joint is very strong. When I first planned out the project, I feared cutting out the seat. Now that it's done, I'm not unhappy with the way it turned out. The seat HAD to come out to remove the old tank. I can hide the scars with teak molding someday, probably never. Just seal the seam with latex caulk.
Also, no picture of the tank tie down. I will use a 1" wide lashing strap with cambuckle (from Harbor Freight). Screw the strap ends to bulkheads on either side of tank and ratchet it down snug.
Thanks again to all the knowledgable boat owners who post to this forum. I have more projects planned, thanks to your help and inspiration.
Cheers,
Doug
I am finishing my tank installation now. Tank, hoses, deck fitting, shower seat, shower wall, and head have all been installed. I'll post some final photos.
Two things I don't have photos of: the shower seat repair detail and the tank tie-down detail. I used the same 1/4" FRP that I used to build the tank and cut in 2" wide strips to backer-block the shower seat joint. Screwed together at 4" spacing, the joint is very strong. When I first planned out the project, I feared cutting out the seat. Now that it's done, I'm not unhappy with the way it turned out. The seat HAD to come out to remove the old tank. I can hide the scars with teak molding someday, probably never. Just seal the seam with latex caulk.
Also, no picture of the tank tie down. I will use a 1" wide lashing strap with cambuckle (from Harbor Freight). Screw the strap ends to bulkheads on either side of tank and ratchet it down snug.
Thanks again to all the knowledgable boat owners who post to this forum. I have more projects planned, thanks to your help and inspiration.
Cheers,
Doug
Doug
Thanks for all the information and great job. I think your tank position has advantages over the center v-berth position I have chosen. Mainly, it is closer to the head and you don't lose the big storage area.
Enjoy the boat.
Thanks for all the information and great job. I think your tank position has advantages over the center v-berth position I have chosen. Mainly, it is closer to the head and you don't lose the big storage area.
Enjoy the boat.
Super job, Doug! Thanks for all the pictures and the commentary. I will be following in your footsteps on this one!
John,
I don't remember who the manufacturer was, but I bought it through a local boat yard.
It took a 4' x 8' sheet. The width of the sheet limited the length of the tank and it fit just about perfectly. What I didn't use in the tank, I used to build the floor the tank rests on. I didn't have 2 soft of waste when I was done.
By the way, that sheet cost over $400. Add to that the West System epoxy and additives, fittings & misc. supplies and I spent more than you might expect. Believe it or not, after all I have been through, I think the best solution would be to build an aluminum tank with a coated interior. Probably would have been easier and cheaper in the long run.
One last photo. Here's how the tank is strapped in place. Note in earlier pictures that the little floor I built holds the bottom of the tank against the hull.
I don't remember who the manufacturer was, but I bought it through a local boat yard.
It took a 4' x 8' sheet. The width of the sheet limited the length of the tank and it fit just about perfectly. What I didn't use in the tank, I used to build the floor the tank rests on. I didn't have 2 soft of waste when I was done.
By the way, that sheet cost over $400. Add to that the West System epoxy and additives, fittings & misc. supplies and I spent more than you might expect. Believe it or not, after all I have been through, I think the best solution would be to build an aluminum tank with a coated interior. Probably would have been easier and cheaper in the long run.
One last photo. Here's how the tank is strapped in place. Note in earlier pictures that the little floor I built holds the bottom of the tank against the hull.