they all leak

[roberthowell]

Have 1995 bene 44 that has 3 built in tanks with lids that are screwed down and chalked and of course the chalk is all done and they all leak. i know that i have to remove the entire cabin soul and all the fixed seating in the saloon.looking for a fix that will last

[Sailmonkey]

You mean the inspection ports leak?

They're caulked? How so? They're usually fitted with o-rings that seal the lid.

Are they leaking around the lid or around the flange?

[roberthowell]

it is the lid on all 3

[danielamartindm]

There's got to be an alternative fix to that. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

[Tetepare]

I'd guess the previous owner caulked them to stop leaks. Wrong way to do it.

Assuming these are screw-in inspection covers, and are screw-in, is there an O-ring or simply friction fit? If it's O-ring, replace the rings. If it's friction (no O Ring) clean them and coat them with Vaseline.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by roberthowell

it is the lid on all 3

Is there an oring?

How about a photo?

[captd44]

Is this similar to a Moody 34 where the whole top of the fiberglass tank is removable for clean out? I watched a video of the top being removed and it was sealed with caulk and leaking when full. Seems like a bad design. They mentioned installing a rubber bladder as a fix.

[roberthowell]

I was thinking the same thing or maybe get a stainless steal tank to drop into the hole and throw away the lid.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by roberthowell

I was thinking the same thing or maybe get a stainless steal tank to drop into the hole and throw away the lid.

Why? Find the problem, and fix it. If the tank doesn't leak, figure out why the seal leaks and find a solution. If you tell us what it looks like and the sealing interface, we can probably resolve it inexpensively.

[roberthowell]

lets try again tank is formed into the hull of the boat and has a lid that covers the top probably with 50 screws and chalk in this lid are the inlet tube,outlet tube float guage and inspection port that unscrews. it leaks around the perimeter of the top

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by roberthowell

lets try again tank is formed into the hull of the boat and has a lid that covers the top probably with 50 screws and chalk in this lid are the inlet tube,outlet tube float guage and inspection port that unscrews. it leaks around the perimeter of the top

Ah ah. Can't you unscrew the top and reseal it? Or install a bladder?

[S/V Illusion]

Sounds to me like a previous owner did something dumb and now the present owner doesn't know how to seat an O-ring to replace the caulk.

[roberthowell]

after i take the saloon completely apart to get at them and then hope i get the calk off and the new chalk adheres right with no air gaps

[atmartin]

Well, aside from making some kind of big neoprene gasket or whatever, why not glass the "lid" down with some thickened epoxy?

You already have an inspection plate in the lid, so it doesn't seem necessary to be able to take off the whole top.

[Terra Nova]

I have refit some Beneteaus with this water tank design. The fiberglass lids were caulked (not chalked) using clear silicone. And the lids were fastened using pop rivets. The key is to remove 100% of the old caulk, and sand and clean the surface prior to caulking. Insure there are a sufficient number of fasteners. And get some help to get the caulking and top installed very quickly so the silicone does not skin over prematurely.