Thoughts on Flexible Water Tanks

[Bad Obsession]

Next spring I am doing some more refit. One project deals with the water tank situation on my boat.

Rather than go into a long description of my project I am going to cut it down to this:

I am installing a flexible water tank in the bow of the boat. That is all that I can fit into that area and it is a small tank, 13-14 gallons. I wish I could do a rigid tank but I can't. Originally from the factory there was a flexible tank there but a previous owner removed it and did something rather odd with the boat setup that I want to correct.

What brand is a good brand for this? Any brands to avoid?

Also, any tips for installation? I have heard that it is best to put something down in the area that the tank will be installed to protect the tank and then secure the tank okay.

Why is it that a lot of tanks come with 5/8" outlets for the hose and most water pumps are plumbed to 1/2" inlet and outlets? That is odd. I guess I will just have to add an adapter into the system.

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I was happy with the Vetus tank that I installed on my GS41.
Installed against the rough hull so I used that snap together plastic grid stuff and covered that with the soft outdoor carpet from Lowes or HD. I had the idea that I'd want air to circulate between the tank and hull and the carpet was a nice soft bed for the tank.
It's important to secure all attachments to keep it from moving and placing strain on the fill neck and hose.
I also found that placing the fill nipple away from the hard point the in the locker bottom that the hose passed through allowed enough hose in the space to swing when the tank drained.
On the Vetus you can select the intake nipple you need and rotate it 360. http://www.vetusmarine.com/store/c/402-Tanks.aspx

 

[svchickadee]

Check to be sure there are no machine screws in the cabinetry in the area where the tank will be located. I replaced all machine screws with bolts.

 

[Chris Patterson]

I own one of the Vetus triangular tanks. On year three with it, and never an issue. Never even think about it..

 

[thinwater]

How in the world would you clean a flexible tank? In my opinion, that deficiency alone is a non-starter.

I'd get a custom tank to fit. Not hard to build, either.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Well to be truthful, I don't drink the water. It's for flushing only w/ fresh water. And I think it's fair to say I bleach this water like a pool. It may be an earlier demise of the tank, but I don't care. Couple hunert bucks, twenty minutes, I'm back in business.

 

[Bad Obsession]

To put a rigid tank in there would require more work that I want to do. I don't drink this water. It is for washing stuff.

To clean them you can remove them from the boat and flush them out. You can also remove them from the boat for the winter.

 

[RichH]

Be SURE that your flexi-tank is RATED for long term storage and usage of 'potable' water as many are not. Look for the RATING statement or the regs under which that 'rating' was obtained.
Why drink or wash yourself or your dishes with a lot of leached 'chemicals' in the water?
Most polyethylene 'bags' are OK for potable water even if not 'rated' so. ;-)

 

[Kestle]

I am year two of my Plastimo flex tank, and not taste or leakage issues. I do drain/flush it monthly.

Jeff

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I'm sorry, but I simply cannot understand why someone would put a tank into a sailboat, and not drink out of it. Where do you carry your drinking water? Lke-if you go to the Bahamas for 3-4 months?

I have two Vetus flex tanks- one in the bow, and one under the cockpit. I keep them flushed and clean. I also have a filter mounted inline just before the spigot.