Flexible water tank question

[Gypsea Wind]

I am looking to put in a plastimo water tank under center of the rear berth. After reading ALOT of discussion on this topic, I think it sounds as though it is best to put the tank up front in the v-berth in the X but in the rear on the M which is what I have. One of the concerns I have is what happens to all the water in the not completely full tank when the boat is maneuvering? I am looking at the 39 gallon tank that is 27.5 x 55. Will this affect the handling of the boat with water sloshing to the rear of the tank when accelerating, or sloshing to the front when slowing down, or both when in moderate seas? And what about heeling? I know there are tabs that can be secured to keep the tank from moving around, but there are no baffles to slow water movement. Thanks for helping out. Bryan

[RobertB]

You bring up a good point - a large water tank partially full translates into a moving mass - considered to be less than ideal.
I have a 10 gallon tank under the rear dinette seat and have another 6 gallon tank for later installation. I like the multiple tank solution as a way to contain this moveable mass.

[NiceAft]

I can not say from actual experience what the effect are of a full bladder in the bow since I have never actually used the thirty gallon bladder I had installed ten years ago, but I can tell you what my dealer said when I asked similar questions while ordering my He told me he has never had a problem, and mine is/was not the first he has installed. He was a very reputable dealer who really came through when it came to follow up service.

Ray

[Gypsea Wind]

Robert, I have considered the multiple small tank idea, but I really wanted to use up some unused spaces instead of prime storage areas.

Ray, you installed a large bladder and never used it? You are a potential wealth of information on this topic. I have not ruled out the front V, but I am hesitant to remove the Styrofoam blocks. This does sound like a good idea though - more confined space to prevent water movement and another unused area (except of course for safety/flotation purposes). I may have to reconsider using the front. What brand did you have put in?

[dlandersson]

Would it be possible to use cans/cases of beer instead?

Robert, I have considered the multiple small tank idea, but I really wanted to use up some unused spaces instead of prime storage areas.

Ray, you installed a large bladder and never used it? You are a potential wealth of information on this topic. I have not ruled out the front V, but I am hesitant to remove the Styrofoam blocks. This does sound like a good idea though - more confined space to prevent water movement and another unused area (except of course for safety/flotation purposes). I may have to reconsider using the front. What brand did you have put in?

[innervations]

I have Plastimo water bladder under rear berth in my and I cannot detect any effect of water shifting either when accelerating or heeling. This is regardless of whether it is fully or only partially. I have mine tied down at all 4 corners and it is squeezed top to bottom between the hull and the berth structure so very little room for movement.

[NiceAft]

Robert, I have considered the multiple small tank idea, but I really wanted to use up some unused spaces instead of prime storage areas.

Ray, you installed a large bladder and never used it? You are a potential wealth of information on this topic. I have not ruled out the front V, but I am hesitant to remove the Styrofoam blocks. This does sound like a good idea though - more confined space to prevent water movement and another unused area (except of course for safety/flotation purposes). I may have to reconsider using the front. What brand did you have put in?

Oh boy, what did the dealer install ten years ago I will have to check this out.

When I purchased Nice Aft, I knew that running a business did not allow me any time to tinker, so I ordered everything I wanted right from the start. We have not yet spent extended time onboard, so, it has not been used. I retire in about a year and a half, and we do have plans. By the way, I also had a hidden shower head and hose installed in the engine well

I also asked the dealer about the wisdom of removing flotation stuff from the bow, and again, he reassured me.

Ray

[Gypsea Wind]

Would it be possible to use cans/cases of beer instead?

Lets see.... Admiral rinsing with canned beer after a swim.... Interesting idea....

[NiceAft]

It would bring new meaning to “sudsing up” in the shower maybe you could tell her to “hop” to it

Ray

[Gypsea Wind]

I am putting in a recessed shower wand in the engine well with this mod. Just stuck on what tank and where and the inlet appliance. I thought I saw a flush mount deck fitting somewhere. I found the flush wall mount inlets. I am sitting here with my Defender/WM catalogs and multiple websites open. I'm determined to get the parts ordered so this project will progress. Lots of planning and little doing. Reminds me of a sign we had at work -"There comes a time in every project when you need to shoot the engineer and start production".

[NiceAft]

I will try to get into the boat tomorrow evening. I will also try to photograph the access located on the deck at the bow.

Ray

[Gypsea Wind]

I have Plastimo water bladder under rear berth in my and I cannot detect any effect of water shifting either when accelerating or heeling. This is regardless of whether it is fully or only partially. I have mine tied down at all 4 corners and it is squeezed top to bottom between the hull and the berth structure so very little room for movement.

Thanks for the info. Good to know. Does the rear mounted tank cause the stern to sit lower in the water? What capacity is your plastimo tank?

[Russ]

You will end up doing what you want.
However I will tell you our boat (an M) is aft heavy and is much happier with weight forward. It sails and motors better with weight there. Yea, that space under the aft berth beckons for use. I would think hard and use your boat to see if it makes sense to add weight there.

Many have used the plastmo flexible tanks. My concern with them is keepin crud from growing and cleaning them. A bit of bleach will probably work, however I don't like filling tanks from questionable sources.
I have found 5 gal jugs really work well. Much better than I thought. I wanted a proper tank, but have conceded that the jugs in the forward compartments are both secure and leave plenty of storage.

Now go buy a platimo tank and put it under the aft berth. You know you want to. I wish it made sense for me.

--Russ

[NiceAft]

Russ,

It's not just questionable sources, but also the vehicle that is used to transport the water to the bladder. I'm referring to the hose used to fill it. You are not filling a 10, 20, or 30 gallon bladder with individual one gallon jugs. You need to use a hose that is OK to drink from.

You are also correct about our boats performing better with weight up front.

Ray

[Gypsea Wind]

I have not yet decided which way to go. I know which tanks fit under the rear, but I'm still trying to figure out which one will fit the v berth. I may need to start digging the foam out to see. 30 gal up front sounds promising. I also get the occasional bit of water under the rear berth (seals on the rudder shafts / seal on the steering rod / coke (cherry) bottle mods in place) that may make a nasty scum pond under the tank back there. It also looks easier to mount the fill inlet on the bow.

Ray, I will watch for your pictures.