Water Tank Tie Downs?

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:49 pm

I'm getting ready to install my 27 gal Plastimo flexible tank under the forward dinette set.

Those who have done these: The Plastimo is equipped with loops on the corners to tie it down so it won't shift when heeling, etc. Has anyone used these or did you just toss it in there and let it go where it wants?

If tied down, how'd you do it? I'm pretty hesitant to put screws in anything down there. Too afraid I'll screw into the ballast tank, the centerboard trunk, or something else equally disastrous.

I was thinking maybe I could glue or glass in some blocks, one for each corner.

jmdefino · Post by **jmdefino** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:58 pm

Chip, funny, I was working on the same thing today.
On my Mac26S I just laid the tank in there. One thing I did however was to put down that anti skid rubberized material you can get at the dollar store. This is mainly to protect the tank from chafing on the raw fiberglass surface.

mike · Post by **mike** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 3:45 am

I just placed mine, not utilizing the hold-down loops, in the compartment too. Because the tank fits so well in that space, I can't imagine it shifting around much.

--Mike

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:00 am

I took off the screwed down cover on the starboard side in the v-berth, drilled a hole into the storeage compartment, installed an eye bolt, and tied some line to the foreward starboard loop . The port foreward loop I tied around the vent well (2000 Mac 26X). The aft ones I haven't tied down yet. If it seems to need it, I will put another eye bolt through the foreward dinette seat and tie one to it and maybe figure out how to tie the other one to the centerboard bolt. Mine is only a 13 gallon so this may not work for you.

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa · Post by **Dimitri-2000X-Tampa** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:27 am

I have the 26 gal tank in the same place too. The only thing I did was check for any sharp pieces of fiberglass. As it all looked pretty smooth, I just threw it in there...the outer cover of the tank looks pretty strong and they are so cheap that even if it got holed, wouldn't financially ruin me. I'm pretty sure it doesn't move around in there as it is too tight of a fit.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:25 pm

When the tanks are full and they fill the spaces they are in they probably can't move much, if at all. However, use half the water and the remainder can slosh back and forth within the tank and push it around on the rough fiberglass and/or strain the connecting hoses. Best installation puts a sheet of something under the tank and ties the corners. You don't want the sloshing in your fresh water tank any more than in a partially-full ballast tank.

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:37 pm

Thanks for all the advice. I'm thinking I agree with Jack; It'll be OK when full but not OK when half full.

Now that it's in the space, it seems a little simpler than I had pictured. I'm thinking some loops bolted to the forward bulkhead which separates the open space from the area under the V-berth; I believe there's only floatation in there, which I'll remove to put in some backers, then replace.

At the aft end it looks like some loops bolted through the sole just aft of the dineette seat itself will be perfect.

I'm really happy with how well it fits, almost as if it were made for the space.

jmdefino · Post by **jmdefino** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 9:43 am

I have a couple of further questions about the Plastimo 26 gallon flexible tank. Mine did not have any instructions.

1. Does it matter which opening in the tank is used for the larger fill fitting? I just assumed it was the side that had the hole centered.

2. The parts packet included the two fittings but only one rubber O ring. Is there supposed to be two? If not, which one gets the O ring?

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:14 am

jmdefino wrote:1. Does it matter which opening in the tank is used for the larger fill fitting? I just assumed it was the side that had the hole centered.

Hmmmm.... like you, I had assumed the centered one was for the fill fitting, and that's what I used, but I'm not really sure.

2. The parts packet included the two fittings but only one rubber O ring. Is there supposed to be two? If not, which one gets the O ring?

Yes, there are supposed to be 2 O rings.

--Mike

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:57 am

Correct on the two o-rings.

My tank came with some rather rudimentary instructions, including a picture of the tank. There's an arrow pointing in to the larger fitting, which is at the center of the tank, and the one with the small fitting in the corner has the arrow pointing out. I'm not sure whether that's meant to signify the correct location or simply that the larger fitting is the innie.

In truth, I don't see why it would matter as the one you want to be the outie is the one most likely to be lowest on the boat; that way you get gravity to help. For my installation, it works out both ways as that's the corner one, oriented aft and toward the center of the boat.

The instructions also indicate the corner loops are meant to be tie downs only, not to be used to suspend the weight of the tank. There's also a caution about the o-rings.

I've decided to tie mine down with an eyestrap fairlead on each corner. Cheap and effective, that's my motto.

Like I said, the instructions are rather rudimentary, I believe I just told you everything that's in them, and I'm not even sure I still have them, but if you guys want let me know and I'll try to find, scan and email them. I have John's email address; mike, you'll have to send me yours.

jmdefino · Post by **jmdefino** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 5:44 pm

Yes, I did figure out that there needed to be 2 O rings. I went to the Marisafe site and they sell a kit with the fittings and it showed the 2 rings. I sent an email to Marisafe to tell them I was shorted.

I like the idea of the eyestrap fairleads. I think I'll do the same. I had actually drilled two holes at the top of that fiberglass dividing wall and ran a line through the holes to tie to the corners of the tank. But, I think that is too high. I may just use the eye straps in forward section and see how that does so I don't have to drill into the seat area.

I have the deck fill mounted above the head and the tubes run. I am going to try using a windshield washer pump for the galley sink. It looks just like the galley pump I had in my 26S.

Steve K · Post by **Steve K** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:54 am

I guess it doen't matter which fitting, or which way you have them. My tank, which was in the boat when I bought it has the center fitting as the fill and the corner fitting as the feed. Not only that, The feed fitting is on the top of the tank. Works great!

My tank lays across the centerline of the boat in the forward storage area, under the rear of the V-berth. It isn't strapped down. Interestingly, just last night I was looking at it, thinking about moving it into the foam locker, farther forward (don't know yet).
Anyway, when I opened up the storage space I saw the tank all pushed up against the starboard side. First time it moved in 6 years. Must have been when I got knocked down by a puff, that last time out.

Anyway, good tank.....happy, happy......... mount it as far forward as you can. Your boat will perform better.
SK

MacGregorSailors.com

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Water Tank Tie Downs?

Water Tank Tie Downs?

Flexible Tanks