Annie Hill wrote:I rebuilt the water tank under the floor in Fantail.  It was made around structural bulkheads, which acted as baffles and had a small hole to let the water through.  It holds 80 litres and the top is not glued down, but screwed onto neoprene to allow ready access and cleaning.  It was difficult to find anywhere for water jugs on Fantail, due to the shape of the hull.  However I intend to use them on SibLim - plumbing is a bore and an added complication I can do without: I shall just have a pump leading directly to a jerrican in the galley.  And a copper pipe through the bottom of the boat, glassed in and leading to another pump for salt water.

There is a seacock already installed near my galley area …that I am guessing was for a salt water pump at some point. I'll keep my eyes peeled , and if I find a nice hand pump , I will probably do the same.

Anthony Cook wrote:

Jonny

Why not save yourself a huge amount of time and effort by going for a couple of dozen 1-gallon containers?  No pumps, pipes, valves to worry about.  No problem about topping up from a doubtful source and contaminating your whole supply, etc. etc.

I have this arrangement on Zuleika Louise and it has never been an inconvenience.  Any sign of growth or creepy crawlies, I just throw them away and buy a new lot - total cost, about £30!

Anthony

There's a lot to be said for the water jug route. Weaverbird carries seven 10 litre containers, with one under the galley counter feeding a hand pump. 

There's a lot to be said for a few separate tanks, too. Ten gallons is not a small tank, and two flexible pillow tanks in those under-sole spaces (put a tough sheet of something under them to protect them), together with ten x 2 gallon jugs, is about as much as a NA29 ought to be carrying.

David Tyler wrote:

You're right, Jonny, those are structural floors to tie the two sides of the boat together. Do not cut into them. Instead, there's nothing to stop you making integral tanks in those cavities. I did this on Tystie, and it was also done on her sistership Malliemac, resulting in a better arrangement than bought tanks. You line out the cavity with glass and epoxy, and then finish with a coating of resin suitable for potable water. Install a small copper tube, glassed in, to draw water from the bottom of the tank, plus vent and filler at the top, then glue down a top similarly treated to the tank. Ideally, the tanks should be pressure tested to 3lbs/sq in. A section of a bicycle inner tube, plus pump and gauge, will manage this.

Honestly , I'm not a big fan of built in , integral tanks ..especially for drinking water. I know a lot of people use them. but , it's not something I'd feel comfortable doing. The idea of water churning around in  epoxy , fiberglass , and leaching chemicals frightens me!

I'll most likely go the flex tank route ….. and possibly keep my eyes peeled for one or two small tanks that could fit in the space below the floorboards . They'd probably be 10 gallons tops ….so , may not even bother.

BTW: those rust stains are what happens when you keep 300 ft. of chain , submerged in your wet bilge for 10 years. Getting rid of THAT was fun!

best,

Jonny

Hello everyone!

I've posted an album of 3 photos of my boat under construction. (link at end) , She is quite a mess inside … but the main salon and new galley is coming together nicely. I am hoping to have her somewhat "livable" in the next few weeks!

I have a question about water tank placement. The North Atlantic 29 plans specified 2 20-25 gallon fresh water tanks. One under each settee.

I'm not sure if they were ever there or not …because …as you can see …. there is nothing under the settees.

I am thinking about 2 choices:

1. flexible tanks under each settee: not my favorite idea …but easy to install and maintain.

or … and here is my question to you all:

2. if you look at the pictures of my floorboards , you will see glassed in bulkheads every 3 feet or so. They are substantial. 3/4" marine ply with approx. 1/4" of glass on each side.

My thought was to cut through the center of two or possibly three of them , leaving a frame of sorts, laying down a piece of heavy plywood in the recess and presto: instant bed for a nice , rectangle shaped  store-bought , solid water tank. Nice and low …where it should be.

BUT ….. my fear is that these bulkheads are structural.

thoughts????

thanks!

Jonny

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