Beneteau 47.7 , Convert Watertank to Diesel

[sepeteus]

Big renovations coming up to our yacht! Among diesel genset, washingmachine/dryer, watermaker, respray of hull, re rigging....... want to install extra fuel tank. She has 600 liters of water in three tanks. As we are getting watermaker, the starboard side stern watertank can go and fueltank take it's place. Looking at the watertank today, the plastic seems very strong and sturdy. Is there any chance that this watertank can be used for diesel. Would save a lot of hard labour!

[jacob30]

Which washing machine/dryer are you going to install? I have also thought of removing a water tank and installing a fuel tank since I will have a watermaker. Let us know how it goes for you.

[sepeteus]

Jacob, haven't found one yet. If you come up with make and model pls let me know.

[jacob30]

Defender has a few options:

Splendide Washer / Dryer Combo

[rabertrand]

Would love to hear how the tank conversion goes. I am planning to do the same, but have had too many mixed comments from 'experts'.
Have you spoken with Beneteau/ They may have a stock tank that would fit!

[sepeteus]

Originally Posted by rabertrand

Would love to hear how the tank conversion goes. I am planning to do the same, but have had too many mixed comments from 'experts'.
Have you spoken with Beneteau/ They may have a stock tank that would fit!

Did quite a bit of research on the Internet. Discovered that the original water tank from Beneteau had triangle with 4 inside of it. This means that it is low density polyethylene and for diesel, long term use needs to be high density. I looked into Ventus plastic fuel tanks which are great quality and reasonable price but to fit in aft cabin under the bunks, negative! As the hull shape curves up towards stern the tank needs to be shaped and tapered to fit so custom made tank is the way to go and therefore will get decent tank capacity. I spoke to few yachties and I think stainless is preferred option instead aluminium. We know that stainless is brittle but instead 1.2 mm, I will have the tank of 250 liters capacity made of 2.2 mm stainless steel grade 304. Think the highest grade is 316 and this is second from that being little more flexible. Heard that you get only 10-12 years out of alloy tank. I was priced AUD 800 for for the stainless tank if I come up with templates and fit it myself.

[rabertrand]

Thanks.

i was hoping to avoid having one built too.

Please let me know how it goes!

R.

[Greggegner]

I once saw a system where they inserted a flexible tank into a lazeret, inflate the tank and then put a UV light in the tank to cure it in the shape of the lazeret. Anybody know the company that made this?,

[Monsterleemon]

Have a question. Can water maker produce water fast enough for usage without needing to store in the water tank first? Use as it makes like a water heater?

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by Monsterleemon

Have a question. Can water maker produce water fast enough for usage without needing to store in the water tank first? Use as it makes like a water heater?

Quick answer is No. Unless you have a large machine you will be needing to store it in a tank. Biggest problem is that you cannot use a R.O. watermaker in dirty water like a lot of harbors and anchorages. Any oil in the water that gets sucked into the water maker will take out the membranes.

So normally folks move the boat to a clean water spot or make water while underway out in the clean, clear offshore waters. With small water storage tanks you will sometimes have to leave the anchorage fairly frequently to find "clean seawater."

[Monsterleemon]

Originally Posted by osirissail

Quick answer is No. Unless you have a large machine you will be needing to store it in a tank. Biggest problem is that you cannot use a R.O. watermaker in dirty water like a lot of harbors and anchorages. Any oil in the water that gets sucked into the water maker will take out the membranes.

So normally folks move the boat to a clean water spot or make water while underway out in the clean, clear offshore waters. With small water storage tanks you will sometimes have to leave the anchorage fairly frequently to find "clean seawater."

Very good infor. Txxx

[sepeteus]

RO it is! Bought one and it's on the way. Hope easy to install. That makes 150l/h so still a kind of trickle of water without pressure, so still needs to go through the tank and pressure pump.

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by sepeteus

RO it is! Bought one and it's on the way. Hope easy to install. That makes 150l/h so still a kind of trickle of water without pressure, so still needs to go through the tank and pressure pump.

Just curious, what make and model did you buy that makes 150 liters/hour? Or was that liters/day?

[sepeteus]

www.cruiseROwater.com
The model I bought is seamaker30. The point is that this water maker has 230-240V high pressure pump and therefore can produce high volumes. This guy's name is Rich Boren and is very well respected manufacturer as his gear is simple and spares are generics and cheap.

[sepeteus]

Sorry missed the important point, yes your read right, it is 30 gallons/hour