Are your Water Tanks Accessible ? Removable ?

[colo.sail]

I know where my tanks are going on this build, below the cockpit in place of the diesel
BUT, how often do you need to access the tank. Get your hands on it, in it?

I want to seal the cockpit floor to be watertight, but then the tank is hidden. I can put in a floor hatch (completely waterproof) to access tank bits. Is it necessary?
How often are you generally in there?

[hummingway]

I hope I don't, mine's inaccessible.

[markpierce]

Behind the settees are the Coot's water tanks. Remove the cushions, tilt back the wooden backs, and there are the tanks, each with a man-sized access hatch.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by colo.sail

BUT, how often do you need to access the tank. Get your hands on it, in it?

Never.

Except:
1) Read my thread about how to fix a water tank leak
2) Checking your hose clamps.
3) Taking a bath.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Accessible - Yes, to clean out and change clamp,s etc.

Removable - No way. 150 gallon, 1/2 in engine room, rest under the galley..

[James S]

Mine 30 year old Stainless steel tanks were not accessible with out removing the entire galley, Nav station and sole....by removing I mean completely destroying!
When they started leaking that's what I did.

The new ones are fiberglass built in place and are not removable.

Access to the inside of the tanks may be required for cleaning...I have removable SS plates about 20 inches square on the top of each...under sole boards.

Access to your connections to the tank may be necessary for hose connector maintenance/replacement.

From what I understand, I would probably make the cockpit floor a watertight removable panel if it would give you access.

[Coachbolt61]

James S what's the motor in the photo?

[James S]

Originally Posted by Coachbolt61

James S what's the motor in the photo?

That was the original 1978 75 hp engine...Ford Mermaid (English)
I replaced it with a 85 HP JCB J444 (also Mermaid)

[Mark Johnson]

I make EVERYTHING in the boat accessible. No, I don't often need access to tanks and such, but when I do, I don't have to disassemble the boat! It can usually be done in a waterproof way if needed, it only takes more thought and effort.

I had a friend who needed to replace his head in a Pacific Seacraft 37. It had been installed to the pan before the pan = "liner/sole", was lowered into the hull. They left no way to remove the head! When you spun the bolt from above, the NON captive nut underneath would spin with it. The nut was WAY out of reach. This guy actually WAS a rocket scientist, so over a week he got it out. He had to attach a wrench (with clay in the box end), to a stick with duct tape. Then he extended the stick in segments with tape, into the distant 1.5" space under the nut... You get the picture.

EVEN "high end" production boats, often neglect the hassle of replacing and maintaining systems, 15 or more years down the line. It's not their problem, the warranty is long since up!

It is too late once they are done, but on ALL "new" systems that you install, I suggest that easy access be taken into account!

Mark

[zeehag]

my water tanks are under the pilot berths, yet accessible-- dont know as yet if removable.... will learn soon.

[imagine2frolic]

All 11 tanks are removable with easy access for cleaning too. Even the fuel tanks are removable after taking apart a few small pieces.......i2f

[webejammin]

Our 2 30 gal tanks are under the 2 aft state room beds and are completely accessiable and removiable and easly cleanable. There's no full or empty gages so looking at the tanks is how we know full or empty.

[zeehag]

lol mine are both 80 gallons-i tell quantity of water by the list of my boat..LOL.......i2f-am jellus of number of tanks able to fit into yer multi-- but i like my mono------

[thinwater]

Removable: often not practical without a saw... but figure on that happening some day.

Cleanable: only if you are planning to drink the water, use it for washing dishes, or showering. Not cleanable is just plain gross, and I have a very high tolerance. Why not just drink out of a puddle by the road? You know as much about what's in there.

I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, but would you use a jerry can for 15 years and never rinse it out or dry it out? I didn't think so. Aren't you glad the resultants you eat in don't do things that way?

[Sabbatical II]

New boat has 4 integral FG tanks all with inspection hatches. My question is, after you empty a tank is it good to let them dry and "air out" occasionally?

Greg