Relocated water tank

[Andy26M]

The content of this post may only be relevant to m owners, I'm not sure what the X water tank options were.

I had a pressure water option installed by my dealer. What they did was put a 35-gallon plastimo tank up in the forward storage bin under the V-berth, with a 35-psi pressure-regulated pump (demand pump) inside the stbd side storage bin under the V-berth, and supply lines to the sink and transom shower running down the starboard side under the settee and aft berth. The fill tube was cleverly run up inside the trim to the anchor locker so you could fill from outside - but you had no real way of monitoring how full the tank was (except to look at the waterline).

Well, I have posted before that I hated the trim of the boat and never filled that tank to capacity because it trimmed the boat down by the nose too much - at most i figure I was putting about ten gallons in there.

Weekend before last I sprung a fresh water leak up in the V somewhere, and assumed I had a hole in the tank, so I took it out. What I come to find out is, the tank is a big, relatively flat rectangle - not a thick triangle to fit the space ... and luckily it did not have a hole in it - the leak was at a fitting.

After I did some measuring, I found that the big rectangular tank (bag) would fit comfortably under the aft berth in the center - there is only about 5 inches of vertical clearance there, but that will still provide around 20 or so gallons of capacity in the 35 gallon tank - which is plenty for me. This moves all that weight aft, centerline, and lower.

I also relocated the pump under the stbd aft settee bin, which makes it very handy to monitor the connections for leaks - and it is actually quieter when it runs (more solid bulkhead under there)!

I now have a longer fill hose that I have to pull out from under the stbd forward space under the aft berth and pass out through the hatch to fill - which is not as clever as the old one in the anchor locker, but does give a direct view of how full the tank is getting.

The original installation provided plenty of hose and wire, so the only materials I needed was a couple new 1" hose clamps.

After sailing the boat with the mod last weekend - I am extremely pleased. I only wish I had done it sooner. I sail alone most of the time, and that additional 160 or so pounds aft vice forward really helped the boat ride and sail better.

So, any other "M" sailors who have the fresh water tank under the V, I highly recommend moving it aft.

Finally a question for an M owner who does not have this mod forward - if you lift up the forward-most storage lid (the triangular one) under the V-Berth, is that space empty for storage, or is it full of flotation foam when you get the boat from the factory?

- AndyS

[Jim Bunnell]

My 2003 M has foam packed tightly into the forward space. Fills it completely.

[dgsl]

I have also purchased a Plastimo tank for under the rear berth on our 26M. I am planning to install a deck fill in a vertical section of fiberglass near the transom. Since the relocated water tank will be located between the integral water ballast channels, I propose that this mod will increase the stability of the boat. Any other opinions regarding the increased stability?

Darrell

[Paul S]

I installed the 13 gallon flex tank under a port seat. Since most M boats have a slight starboard list...I put it to port. Also installed a pump and electric pump to replace the silly manual pump.

Paul

[Tom Spohn]

I have my 15 gal tank in the P3 compartment for the same reason that Paul noted. The '03 and '04 boats have a slight weight bias to starboard due to both the head and galley being on the same side. Although placing the bag in P3 solved the weight distribution problem I have been wondering if I have too much weight forward for best sailing.

My question to Andy: Is there enough room under the rear berth to place the tank a bit to starboard rather than dead center?

[Andy26M]

Tom -

If I remember my measurements right, the 35 gallon (150 liter, actually) plastimo tank is 27 inches wide when filled. I think the spacing between the "rails" on top of the ballast tank under the rear berth is about 35 inches - so yes, you could have that big palstimo tank off center by 6 inches or so - mine is in fact pushed over to port giving me room along the starboard edge to stow my fill hose, and incidentally offset the head and galley weight.

- AndyS

[NautiMoments]

Andy, what adverse effects did you get with the tank in the bow of the ? I know that my previous sailed faster with more weight in the bow, hence many placed their tanks there. Did you note stability problems? Was it hard to fill the ballast with the tank full? What effects do you like with the tank now in the stern? I am just about to install a water tank in our and was thinking of putting it in the bow. Thanks for you help.

[Lease]

Question I have been burning to ask:

Has anyone ever tried bonding a flexible water tank inside the main part of the ballast tank in a 26x?

Could probably get a 200 litre jobbie in there and in a cruising context, it would seem a reasonable prospect to regualrly replace the space with ballast water as it is used.

Curious about the technical challenges really.

[DLT]

Getting water in and out of your flexible tank versus sealing the whole damn mess...

You could plumb your tank to the vent hole, but then how are you gonna vent the other ballast?

You'd have to have a hole in the ballast tank through which you could access your tank (and to which it was adequately sealed) and another just to vent the ballast.

Another issue would be that every time you heeled , the ballast water would push back on your flexible tank and thereby want to force water through your water system. So, you're whole water system would have to be sealed against that pressure...

[baldbaby2000]

With a couple people on our boat, it is clearly faster when motoring by about a knot when one of us moves to the front. When sailing I suspect that's true from a few experiments, but normal variance in the wind makes it hard to say for sure. I also have a lighter motor than a lot of people (Tohatsu 40hp). It might be better to put the tank in front and repaint the waterline.

BB

[Richard O'Brien]

Question I have been burning to ask:

Has anyone ever tried bonding a flexible water tank inside the main part of the ballast tank in a 26x?.

Lease. There is no question that it's possible. I remember in the 60's when bladders were put in tanker trucks so chemicals could be carried one direction, and milk or potable fluids could be carried on the return trip.
you;d have to rebuild the ballast tank with epoxy laminates after gaining access, and what about those "baffles", yet I'm sure it's doable? A couple of check valves, and the caution of not running the deck shower in a squall. It would certainly solve the fresh water problem for long cruises, Eh?

[Terry]

I bought the 50 litre Plastimo bag. I have yet to install it, likely this winter. Upon looking under the rear berth area I noticed a high ridge running down the center line keel area. So I geuss I have no choice but to off center the bag a bit so that it sits flat and is not sadded over the hump. Sounds like port side is the side to install it. Do all M's have this center ridge?