Flexible water tanks............

Ask a question...get an answer (or two).
Post Reply
martin
Bottom Paint Application Technician
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:30 am
Location: houston tx

Flexible water tanks............

Post by martin »

I need to find a company who will custom make me a flexible water bladder. I got the leaking 28yo aluminum tank(4'x10"x10") out without cutting the sole out of the boat. I now need to put something back INTO the space. Anyone know anybody who does this kind of work. None of the standard sizes from Vetus, Plastimo, Nautico are quite right. I await your replies, Thanks in advance............martin
User avatar
Rachel
Master of the Arcane
Posts: 3044
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:59 pm

Post by Rachel »

Hi Martin,

One of my co-workers was recently checking into a company that makes custom bladder tanks - I believe their main market is aircraft, if I overheard correctly :-)

We have a potential "winter work" job that involves removing and replacing water tanks on a ~50' ketch with a gorgeous saloon, just brimming with lovely joinerwork. The yard supervisor was thinking about flexible replacements as a way to avoid taking the interior apart (after cutting the old rigid tanks out). I'm not sure what the status of that job is, but I know he talked to the tank makers. I'll try to remember to ask him tomorrow.

--- Rachel
User avatar
Ceasar Choppy
Boat Obsession Medal Finalist
Posts: 622
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:05 am
Location: Port Starboard, MD

Post by Ceasar Choppy »

Not a bladder tank but....

I used Triple M Plastics in Kennebunkport, ME to fabricate a rigid plastic holding tank to my exact specs. Was less than $200 for a 17 gal tank. It was not rotomolded, which would have been my first option, but couldn't find one in the shape I needed. They nitrogen welded the polyethelyne to my specs.
User avatar
Rachel
Master of the Arcane
Posts: 3044
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:59 pm

Post by Rachel »

Hi Martin,

I checked out the tank situation here with my co-worker. I hadn't realized, but the company I had in mind advertises doing custom flexible fuel tanks - specializing in military and marine applications. Not sure if they could be used for water or not, but I will attach their contact info below. They look slightly "rigid" in the photo (I have an ad in the back of Pro Boatbuilder in front of me), but from what he said that's because they put some semi-rigid foam in for baffles and sidewall strength -- something like the design of a collapsible foam cooler.

He also mentioned that in similar situations here at the yard, they've put in a stock-made flexible tank that was slightly too large, and that it filled up the space and seemed to work just fine; so perhaps that's a possibility, too.

--- Rachel

ATL Aero Tec Laboratories, Inc.
Telephone: 201-825-1400
Fax: 201-825-1962
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.atlinc.com
User avatar
Ceasar Choppy
Boat Obsession Medal Finalist
Posts: 622
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:05 am
Location: Port Starboard, MD

Post by Ceasar Choppy »

Damn! Those look nice.
I'm actually looking to replace my fuel tank and these might fit the bill.
Post Reply