Water tanks busted

[PeterBreit]

I have a 2000 Beneteau 461 with 3 water tanks. 2 under the floor boards in the main cabin. 1 under the V-berth in the forward cabin. Each one holds approximately 70+ gal. This winter I left them almost filled so to be able to use the boat on weekends across from Annapolis, MD. Never had a problem before but this year everything froze and expanded. Now the tanks are leaking. On a separate note I also just replaced the leaking water heater.
I just filled the tanks but before the fresh water pump would stop building up pressure the tanks emptied in the bilge.
I am not sure where the leaks are and how to repair ? The water tanks are glasses in.
Ant advice is very much appreciated.

Peter Breit
s/v Belvedere
Wells Cove Marina, Kent Narrows, MD.

 

[NYSail]

I would start by inspecting the hoses..... water in the lines/tanks/hot water heater over the winter is playing Russian roulette. One good freeze and they will split

 

[Capt Robbie]

I agree with NYSail
Start by checking all the water lines first especially any elbow connections. I own a swimming pool company and 90 percent of leaks from ice damage are in the supply and discharge lines that water settled into if they were not properly winterized.
Just like filters in pools water tank unless completely full have a lot of room for ice to expand. Water lines, connections, and elbows are primary spots because the lines will always freeze first and have little to no room to flex or expand when ice forms. Now I'm not saying that the tank can't crack from ice I'm just saying that they have more flexibly then water lines.
Good hunting

 

[Gunni]

Big big mistake. You don’t need a working water system to winter sail. Always winterize your potable system, the upper Chesapeake regularly sees single-digit winter temperatures. You also need to protect your through hull drains and engine raw water...get a competent yard man to help.

After that hard multi day freeze you likely have a lot of damage. The tanks have access ports, pull them and inspect for obvious cracking. Pretty much all of your potable plumbing will be suspect and must be inspected and replaced. I would be inclined to have the entire system redone, including pumps and fixtures. If the tanks are cracked, and / or their bulkhead fittings damage you will need to open the tank and seal the tanks / replace the fitting. Big job to inspect and repair, retain a pro.

 

[PeterBreit]

Obviously I checked all hoses first. No problem there. Pick-up pipe may have been frozen but is ok now.
I narrowed the leakage to the connection pipe which connects the two halfs inside of the port and starport tanks. Problem is that the 4" inspection ports are two far away to reach the connection pipe. I guess I will have to cut another inspection port hole. B-461 owners know what I mean...
The photos show the connection pipe. Looks to me it needs sealing ?!

 

[Caboteur]

If there was any liquid in the septic tank it probably has a hairline crack in the bottom... because of "solids" deposited on the bottom it will probably only leak when emptied, and then it will smell.
Check that out too.
Been there, had to replace tank, no fun.
Pierre

 

[thinwater]

I'm with Gunni; you may have a lot more problems than you have yet identified if nothing was winterized. Some of the repairs may be expensive and complex. I seriously doubt this is as simple as some sealing, since you have probably lost structural support to the pipes.

Check your through hulls. You may have cracked some and be in danger of sinking. Yes, it is that serious. You should probably just haul out.

I've sailed winters for 30 years on a variety of boats. This was not that unusual. You winterize everything, and then drink bottled water, carry jugs for washing, and flush with antifreeze. Short cuts are just that.

 

[PeterBreit]

It id the two water tanks under the floor boards. Glassed in the hull. Not the septic tanks.

 

[PeterBreit]

I winterized everything, engine, generator, heat-pumps, both heads, etc. no problems.
I stayed on the boat several winters, most weekends and some. Never had an issue with water freezing except this year. Different marina which is more exposed to weather plus extremely low tide, water pushed out by NW winds. The boat was high and dry, the hull, bow exposed.
That shows you that winterizing is more important when the boat sits outside and is exposed to air versus floating in water.
A few years ago I kept the boat in the Anchorage marina in Baltimore Inner Harbor. Kind of a warm Inner city hot spot. When I came back from a charter in the BVI I found my boat totally enclosed in "pack"ice. I could walk on it. The marina had no bubblers, I found out. Because "the inner harbor never freezes over" well after 81 years it did. But luckily there was no damage on the hull or rudder. The water in the tanks and water heater never froze either.. go figure.

 

[NYSail]

I have enough wish to do lists than to keep my fingers crossed. Lots of money and time to repair defuncted water system. Winterize

 

[Ron20324]

Peter, oh, Peter... Fix it quick- the IRS Cruise is April 14/15.