Tank repair

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Rex

The aluminum holding tank on my '93 Legend 43 is on it's last legs. I am looking at options to repair or replace the tank. I started with the Ronco catalog; after looking in detail at all 100 pages, I can't find a tank that really meets my needs and wants. The existing tank is a really odd shape. It actually looks like it was pieced together to exactly fit the space, and welded together. Capacity is supposed to be 40 gallons. Essentially, it fits around a number of angles and protrusions in the space available, to maximize tank capacity. It is located in the pan area, under the saloon sole. From the Ronstan catalog, i can't find anything that appears to fit, that is over about 20-25 gallons. This would be a big come down from 40 gallons for a 43 footer with two heads. I was wondering if it would be feasible to encapsulate the old tank... perhaps using epoxy and fiberglass cloth. There is adequate room to do a substantial buildup on the outside of the tank, say 1/4 inch. I think I could have new fittings welded or epoxied into the tank as well. I'm not really trying to save money here, just maximize tank size within the available space. Neither Hunter nor the original tank manufacturer are able to come up with the construction drawings, so having a new tank built is logistically difficult. Any suggestions?
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

Don't even try to repair it...

The first leak(s) in aluminum waste tank are ONLY the first..urine is turning it into collander. As for replacement options, one tank for both toilets is prob'ly NOT the best one. Boat builders try to cut costs by doing that...the result being a tank that's too far from at least one of the toilets--sometimes both...which results in waste left to sit in the head discharge lines...which causes 'em to permeate and stink and several other problems. So unless the heads are located to allow a single tank to be within 6-8' of both toilets, you should have two separate systems. That leaves the question of whether to replace your holding tank with two holding tanks or ANY holding tanks. The Chesapeake is NOT "no discharge"...in fact, there are only two "no discharge" zones on the whole Bay...everywhere else, Type I and II MSDs (CG Certified devices that treat waste and discharge it overboard) are legal. And a 43' boat certainly has the power resources to support one...or even two. The Raritan Lectra/San is the pick of the litter by far...it doesn't require the use of any chemicals, but creates hypochlorous acid (a type of chlorine) by charging the ions in salt water with electrical current... and it treats to standard that's at least 10x higher than required by law...so it's non-polluting. I strongly recommend that you consider putting one on the most-used toilet...since you'll rarely use a holding tank, you can put a much smaller one on the other toilet. All the specs for it, and the complete manual, are on the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com. Spend some time with 'em and I'll be glad to answer your questions after you've read it.
 
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Debra B

Have another welded?

Or have that one re-welded? Probably better than trying to jury-rig the present tank. (You really don't want it to leak!) Given the existing tank as a model, it should be possible....
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
How about a custom poly tank.

Rex: There are some custom tank mfg in your part of the country. You may be able to pull your tank and have them duplicate the exact size with a welded poly tank. These tanks are every bit as good as a roto-molded tank but can be made your specs. The big difference is the cost. If they customize to your specs, you may find that it is less expensive than trying to make something fit.
 
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Brian Leney

Holding tank options

You have to decide whether you want to try to strengthen the old tank (strongly don't recommend it), go to the effort of redesigning and installing an entirely different system (e.g., LectraSan, smaller tanks), or simply replicate what is already there. Unless you are otherwise dissatisfied with a system that has served the boat well for 10 years and it's only shortcoming is a corroded tank, I would look at just replacing the tank with a new one, in plastic. Of all the options, that seems to be the easiest. I had a custom plastic tank made that exactly replicated the original 25 gal tank on my H37.5. Manufacturer was C. C. Tech in Rhode Island. I thought the price was reasonable ($375) and it too had some angles, but it was a lot smaller than the tank you are looking to replace. I only just installed the tank, so I cannot speak about its performance. I can only say that it looks like a well-built tank (3/8" thick walls etc.). Since you say you are not trying to save money, and you want max capacity, then a custom tank is your best option. I would again press Hunter for the original line drawings. This will make shopping for a custom tank a snap since you can just fax the drawing to manufacturers. Lacking that, you will have to measure the old tank. Once you commit to replacing it, you will have to remove it anyway and that will make measurement easier. But, the one big downside to ordering a custom tank at this time of year will be waiting for it to be built. C. C. Tech contact info: http://www.gocctech.com/marine/boat-tank.htm Phone: 401-784-6168 Linda Kleinman for sales. Technical questions ask for Bert Good luck!
 
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Rex

Actually...

the current tank is exactly mid-way between the two toilets, and less than 8 feet to each. Hunter got this one right. Interesting idea, the Lectrsan. But I said I wasn't trying to save money on a tank. I didn't say money was no object. The Lectrasan, even if I keep the current manual toilets, is way over $1000. This doesn't compare very favorably to even a custom tank at, say, $500. If you have seen a Hunter structure, you know there are few places to put tanks. The structural grid pan leaves few options. Installing two tanks, with the associated discharge piping would require rebuilding the interior, and cost a small fortune.
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

Shop price for the Lectra/San

You can find it for very little more than a new tank. However, because the Bay is brackish, you will, however, need a salt tank too.
 
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